MEDIA RELEASE
31 October 2008
For immediate release
FURTHERING THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND PNG
Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, will be in PNG from 3-5 November to hold talks on the Australia-PNG development assistance program.
Mr McMullan said the visit is an important next step following improved relations between the two governments culminating in the recent signing of the Pacific Partnership for Development by Prime Ministers Rudd and Somare.
“The Pacific Partnership for Development is our roadmap for the future of the Australia-PNG development assistance program,” Mr McMullan said.
“It recognises that PNG has some significant development challenges ahead relating to key areas such as improving people’s health, re-building roads, and boosting access to education, among others.
“By working in a partnership with Australia with mutually agreed obligations there are great opportunities to make significant in-roads into these development challenges.”
Mr McMullan will travel to Kokopo in East New Britain at the invitation of the Hon. Paul Tiensten, Minister for National Planning and District Development.
Mr McMullan will also meet with counterparts from a range of PNG Government ministries in Port Moresby.
Media Inquiries: Roger Wheatley, AusAID Public Affairs, Mobile: 697 5571