MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
For Immediate Release
Australia’s continued commitment to Bougainville
Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Hon Duncan Kerr SC, has today met with the newly elected President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Hon James Tanis, during a visit to Bougainville.
Mr Kerr is the first member of the Rudd Government to visit Bougainville.
Following meetings in Port Moresby with Parliamentary Secretary for Bougainville Affairs, Hon Fidelis Semoso MP, and national government officials responsible for Bougainville, Mr Kerr travelled to the capital, Buka, to meet President Tanis and discuss Australia’s significant program of assistance to Bougainville.
“Australia has long had a close relationship with Bougainville, working closely with the Government of Papua New Guinea to support the people of the province through troubled times”, said Mr Kerr.
Through the regional Bougainville Peace Monitoring Group and the successor civilian-led Bougainville Transition Team, Australia played a central role in helping Bougainville along the path to peace, which culminated in the signing of Bougainville Peace Agreement in 2001.
Since 1997, Australia has contributed over $250 million to support Bougainville’s peace process and post-conflict reconstruction. In recent years, our assistance has focused on consolidating peace, strengthening the capacity of government and institutions to provide essential services, and promoting economic growth.
“We are pleased to continue that support today, and look forward to strengthening our relations with the Autonomous Bougainville Government through its new President James Tanis”.