Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

Speech 070317 Kickbox

 

Speech at the Kickboxing Showdown between Australia and PNG

 

17 March 2007; Tribal Den, Port Moresby, PNG

Head of the Australian Defence Staff, Colonel Luke Foster

 

Ladies and gentlemen, I am very pleased to be here this evening as the representative of the Australian High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency Mr Chris Moraitis.

Mr Moraitis would have liked to have been here himself to officiate at this Kickboxing Showdown between PNG and Australia, but he is not in the country at present. On behalf of Mr Moraitis I would like to thank the organisers – and in particular Stanley Nandex – for the invitation to be here.

I am sure we are all very excited about this evening’s event. A number of champion kickboxers will be competing, including the legendary Stanley Nandex.

When Stanley (Nandex) launched this kickboxing event earlier this month he said that the aim was to “strengthen the relationship between PNG and Australia through kickboxing”. That is a sentiment that we at the Australian High Commission support very strongly.

Kickboxing is a popular sport in both PNG and Australia. It is one more thing that PNG and Australia have in common. This passion for kickboxing that we share – and indeed a passion for sport in general – is another link between PNG and Australia. And this contest is also an example of the strong relationship between PNG and Australia.

Our two countries have numerous connections through sport. There are connections through martial arts. A number of Papua New Guineans play for various sports teams in Australia, particularly in Rugby League and Australian Rules. And we regularly compete on the international stage.

PNG and Australia also have a shared commitment to developing sports and using sport as a vehicle for community development. The Australian Government funds a number of sports projects in PNG. The young female weightlifter, Dika Toua – who won a Silver Medal at the Commonwealth Games last year – is one athlete that we are pleased to have supported in the past.

Speaking about connections between our two countries, what really strikes me are the people to people links – links through relationship, through friendships, through business and through sport. A great many Papua New Guineans have links with Australia – through friends, relatives, work or study. It is also remarkable just how many Australians have some sort of connection with PNG.

All of the kickboxers competing here this evening now have connections of their own – if they did not have some already – as a result of this contest.

I know that all of the kickboxers will be going out there to win. As sports fans some of us will support fighters from PNG and others will support fighters from Australia. That is what sport is all about – supporting your team and enjoying the competition.

But sport is also about respect. No matter who wins, the fighters will respect each other afterwards and remain friends. Respect is important.

On the issue of respect I would like to briefly mention HIV and AIDS. I know that Stanley has made great efforts to promote awareness about HIV and AIDS, as well as violence against women. Unless interventions to address the spread and impact of HIV and AIDS are scaled up, over half a million Papua New Guineans could be living with the virus by 2025. Half a million.

We all have a role to play – individuals, companies, civil society groups. We all have a responsibility to tackle the spread of HIV. Australia is committed to working with Papua New Guineans to help address the epidemic. I would encourage all of you, as well, to do what you can to halt the spread of HIV AIDS. One of the messages that we have to get out there is about the need to practice safe sex and the importance of using a condom.

Men must also respect women. Violence against women is unacceptable and it is also against the law. Real men do not hit women.

I do not wish to speak for a long time. We are all keen for the Kickboxing Showdown to get underway. The fighters are ready. We are ready. It’s going to be a great night.

I would like to wish all of the fighters – from PNG and Australia – the very best of luck. I know that all of you will do your best and go out there to win.

But at the end of the day, whatever the outcome of the contest, the real winner will be the sport of kickboxing and the strong relationship between PNG and Australia.

Thankyou