Papua New Guinea Post Courier, 23rd March 2018
AUSTRALIA is strongly showing its might again as a dominant nation in the Pacific and especially in Papua New Guinea with more funding assistance specifically in areas that are vital to the development of the region.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop’s three-day trip to PNG, specifically in Port Moresby and Kavieng, in New Ireland, saw announcements of fresh aid – one of which was K3.7 million water, sanitation, hygiene, adult literacy and climate change project in Kavieng. She also announced a further more than K3 million to the earthquake appeal in the Highlands – and more than K10 million worth of projects visited in this three day program.
Australia has an aid budget of about A$4 billion (more than K12 billion) for PNG, A$550 million every year, but Bishop, despite speaking about Pacific nations and specifically PNG being one of the biggest beneficiaries of Australian Aid, issued a stern warning – that Australia has zero tolerance when it comes to corruption which includes the aid program but has assured that they work closely with partner nations to ensure aid is delivered and every cent is spent where it destined.