MEDIA RELEASE
7 September 2006
SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OFFICIALS LEARNING FROM PNG
A delegation of 21 senior Australian public servants from a range of Commonwealth and State government agencies has been visiting Papua New Guinea this week.
The visit is part of an Australian government initiative called Leading Australia’s Future in Asia (LAFIA), which involves annual visits to the region by senior government officials.
Acting Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Ann Harrap, said the program was designed to build a deeper understanding, across the Commonwealth and State governments in Australia, of the political, economic and social changes and challenges facing Australia’s neighbours, particularly in the South Pacific.
Ms Harrap said: “The relationship between Australia and PNG is strong across the board. Visits by groups like LAFIA are an important way of ensuring that decision-makers in Australia have a first hand understanding of, and personal connection with, our close friends and neighbours in the Pacific.”
The LAFIA Pacific 2006 delegates spent two days in Port Moresby. They met with the Hon. Chris Haiveta MP, Acting Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, as well as the Chief Ombudsman, Ila Geno, to discuss a range of issues, including governance and public sector management.
The Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry informed the group about the business environment and the potential for further growth and development in PNG.
The delegation also heard about some of the social challenges facing PNG during visits to the National Catholic AIDS Office and the Hohola Youth Development Centre, where students provided a tour of their art, metalwork, and carpentry projects. The delegation also visited the Bomana Correctional Facility.
The group flew to Wewak on Wednesday to meet provincial leaders and local business people and visit the Sepik Centre of Hope HIV/AIDS Facility and Moem Barracks.
The delegation departs for Honiara on Friday and will continue on to Suva the following week.
Media Inquiries: Leigh Arnold, Public Affairs Manager, Ph: 325 9333 ext 275, Mobile: 683 9811