Transcript: E&OE
Joint Press Conference with the Hon. Sam Abal, MPPNG Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration
Topic: Australia-PNG ties
Madang, Papua New Guinea
18 May 2009
JOURNALIST: Mr. Abal, you were talking about wanting Australia to invest in major infrastructure projects. Could you please explain?
ABAL: Yes, I was mentioning the move towards infrastructure projects. Australia helps about in all the other areas, but for me and the Government, the issue discussed between the two Prime Ministers, and then Mr. Rudd referred to these consultancies, rather than infrastructure projects. I think that’s where we need to start working on. I think it’s for the Australian taxpayer as well, for them to see something come up. This day and age where people are moving around, and the Australian people have been so good to us, benevolent to Papua New Guinea, they have been accepting our load for many years. But as years develop, people travel, and it would be good for them to see certain projects that are landmarks, high impact projects that are important for the economic development of the country. I think it is better not to spread this thin, spread this money thinly about, rather than to concentrate in key areas that really shows where the Australian taxpayer monies go, so that people can go “look, that’s it”. As you know, we are developing relations for further trial, but the Australia public needs when they come to Port Moresby, for example, and see, or the Highlands highway or something like that. I’m just thinking, maybe I’m old fashioned, but that’s the way to show the people what they get for their money.
JOURNALIST: Lately there has been some debate in the media about immigration to Australia, prompted by sports people, mainly rugby league, and there’s been comment in the media that it’s been difficult for Papua New Guineans to go to Australia, for education and so on (inaudible).
BYRNE: Sorry, I couldn’t quite hear the question.
JOURNALIST: Immigration to Australia
ABAL: I might take that because I had discussions with the Honourable Chris Evans about two weeks back concerning the issue I put to him. As you know, between Prime Ministers Rudd and Somare there’s been agreement on the development of the code here in PNG, so it’s been taken under that, and he will take up the issue of visas for Papua New Guineans to go and play down there in Australia. I’ve already discussed that a few weeks ago, so it has been taken up.
BYRNE: And it’s the start of a process and that was clearly indicated by the press conference held by Sir Michael and our Prime Minister recently.
JOURNALIST: What’s your reaction to money being poured more into big projects, rather than being spread around?
BYRNE: The discussion of aid is an ongoing conversation, Sean, and the great thing about being able to be here as the Prime Minister’s representative and the Trade Minister’s representative, is that I can be here and listen to the concerns put directly to me by the Minister, by the people that work in the area, by Papua New Guinean business, by Australian Business. And those considerations will be taken on board. I’m very happy to convey them to the Prime Minister, but this is already part of a dialogue, that’s been foreshadowed by the Prime Minister. The great thing about it here is that to be able to be physically present, to be able to see what is occurring in this country, and the enormous potential that exists within PNG. I think we can both find constructive ways forward through our aid budget and other areas, to assist PNG grow and develop. So I took very close note of the Minister’s address today, and that will be conveyed to the Prime Minister. But Sean, that is already part of ongoing discussions occurring at the moment between our two governments.
ADJUDICATOR: Any further Questions?
BYRNE: You could invite me back! (Laughter)
BYRNE: It’s a great honour to be here as a representative of both the Prime Minister and the Minister for Trade, I’ve heard much about your great country and the warmth of the people, the shared history that we have. Everything that I have seen supports that. I go back, I fly back to Australia with a great degree of reluctance. I’d like to have spent some more time here. But I can assure you I will be back, and looking forward to see that ever growing closeness between our two countries. We are inextricably linked in this region. As I said, we have a shared history, and we have a shared future. And I very much look forward to coming back here and watching the exciting development that I think will occur in this country over the next ten to fifteen years. And I’d like to thank the Minister, for his very informative remarks, and I’d like to emphasise to you again, this is an equal partnership, and what I will be doing is I’ll be taking those comments and constructive suggestions that have been made in the dialogue today and conveying them directly to our Prime Minister and to the Minister for Trade. Thank you.
ABAL: Thank you.
[Ends]
Media inquiries: Andrew Porter 0400 412 393 (Mr Byrne's office)