issue no. 11, july, 2019 joint statement by prime

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

July 2019

On 22 July, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Prime Minister James Marape held the inaugural Papua New Guinea-Australia Leaders’ Dialogue.Prime Minister Marape’s visit to Australia marks the beginning of a new chapter for Australia and Papua New Guinea, as equal sovereign partners with a shared history and an ambitious vision for the future. Our relationship has matured into a contemporary and broad-ranging partnership, reflecting our growing economic ties, common strategic interests and strong people-to-people links.Today, as a sign of the ambition the Prime Ministers have for this partnership, they have agreed to start negotiations towards a new, enhanced Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (CSEP). This CSEP will drive cooperation between our countries, provide structure to our relationship and act as a mechanism to advance new initiatives. Commitments under a CSEP will boost our engagement across key areas – security cooperation, examining bilateral trade and investment arrangements, governance, people-to-people and institutional links, a visible development program and regional cooperation.Australia and Papua New Guinea recognise the

shared security challenges we face as close neighbours and maritime nations. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of our Defence Cooperation Program, Australia will provide a new package of initiatives, valued at $20 million, to continue to build the breadth and depth of our enduring Defence partnership. The initiatives will focus on building a minimum sustainable PNG capability, including on military aviation capability, expanding our maritime security partnership, building on our infrastructure investment program including continuing our joint work on the Lombrum Naval Base in Manus Province, and continuing to work with Papua New Guinea’s future leaders as they build a strong and resilient Defence Force. The Prime Ministers also agreed to explore opportunities for enhanced capability through infrastructure development and information sharing, including on border security.Our proud history of security cooperation has entered a new era with Papua New Guinea’s first Guardian-class patrol boat making a valued contribution to support closer regional collaboration to tackle shared challenges,

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Issue No. 11, July, 2019

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JOINT STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTERS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA

AND AUSTRALIA

JULY, 2019 ISSUE No. 11

Inside Sir Manasupe Haus 2

Inside Sir Manasupe Haus is published fortnightly by the Department of Prime Minister & National Executive Council.

Publisher: Dept of PM & NEC

Executive Editor: Chief Secretary

Dept of PM & NEC

Editor: Matrom John

Sub-Editor: Anasthesia Angoro

Reporter: Terry Mark

Firmin Nanol

Royden Geno

Anasthesia Angoro

Russell Saigomi

Photography: Media Branch

Layout & Design: Pius Eano

Printing: Media Branch

For editorial comments, please write to:

The EditorInside Sir Manasupe Haus NewsletterDepartment of Prime Minister & NECP.O. Box 639Waigani, NCDPapua New Guinea

Phone: +675 301 9251 | 9252Email: [email protected]

Message from the Chief Secretary to Government

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including illegal fishing and transnational crime. A second patrol boat is in its construction phase and will be completed in early 2021.Cooperation between our Governments has significantly reduced the threat of people smuggling in our region. Australia gratefully acknowledges the critical role Papua New Guinea has played as a valuable regional processing partner. Australia supports Papua New Guinea’s intent to see services provided by local companies in Papua New Guinea selected through an open and transparent tender process and both countries are committed to ensuring that a successful transition arrangement is expeditiously in place. Together, we share a commitment to support the economic aspirations of Manusians through our development and vocational education cooperation.Australia is committed to supporting Papua New Guinea’s priorities in building its capacity in policing, and will commit $135.9 million (over three and a half years) to the new long-term Policing Program. This funding will enhance and modernise RPNGC policing operations through improved community-level service delivery, prosecution services, enhanced training capabilities through increased support to the Bomana Police Training College, and improved corporate enabling services. This represents Australia’s largest bilateral policing partnership and will complement regional policing initiatives in the Pacific.Building on Australia’s commitment to work with our regional partners to strengthen the ability of Pacific governments to enforce

their laws and protect their sovereignty, Australia will welcome a secondee from Papua New Guinea to the interim Pacific Fusion Centre.Our economic relationship is a critical driver of prosperity. Australia is Papua New Guinea’s largest investor, trading and commercial partner and we will continue to work together to grow the economy.The strength of this economic partnership is underpinned by joint infrastructure initiatives such as the Coral Sea Cable, PNG Electrification Partnership and the Transport Sector Support Program. The Coral Sea Cable Project will deliver 800 times Papua New Guinea’s current internet capacity and have a transformational effect on economic and social development in Papua New Guinea.Australia and Papua New Guinea will also jointly deliver a suite of new investments in the energy sector, valued at up to $250 million. This transformational portfolio of projects will be funded through a mix of grants and loans to bring on additional, low-cost electricity generation to the Ramu Grid. Projects that are currently being scoped include a new gas-fired power plant at Hides; a refurbishment of existing hydroelectricity plants; a new solar power plant (that will be the first of its kind in Papua New Guinea); and upgrades to transmission lines in the Ramu and Port Moresby grids. This will support reduced costs and increased access to energy, consistent with our commitment under the PNG Electrification Partnership. This builds on Australia’s collaboration with New Zealand to extend electricity



PM Marape addressing National Intellectuals at he Think Tank Forum

Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape, MP assures the business community in Papua New Guinea that his Government is committed to holding dialogues with them if they feel economic conditions are too harsh for business growth in the country.Prime Minister Marape made this assurance today at the 2nd Speaker’s Investment

Summit at the Stanley Hotel, Port Moresby.“Every private sector in the country must be given the right incentive and support by the Government to ensure that the private sector grows,” he said.“Once we have a thriving private sector that flourishes and grows, our country will also have mutual benefits.

He also made the business community aware that among his government’s economic interventions, he has instructed the Internal Revenue Commission to do a forensic audit of all business that are currently operating in the country, to ensure they are paying right taxes.In other intervention. “

The Prime Minister, James Marape, attended a forum organised by the PNG Think Tank Inc., a group that started with only 4 people and now has 3000 professionals and intellectuals menders that discuss issues that affect the country and ways to assist the Government of the day change the current status-quo.The Prime Minister heard from the team about issues, possible solutions and way forward around the inclusion of local content in businesses and public service, Small to Medium Enterprises and Agriculture.Prime Minister welcome the discussions and committed the National Government’s support and willingness to consider the PNG Think Tank’s proposals in their decision making processes.He said the group of people who can make the greatest impact in the nation are those who are in government.However, the Prime Minister said; “those of us in government need informed data, statistics as well as conversations.“Everyone can utter words but we want data and statistics to substantiate the uttered word,’ Prime Minister Marape said.“I want to put forward a new chapter for the next 44 years of the life of our nation going forward.“For a nation that is endowed with natural resources, find the right formula for me that is echoed in numbers and not just words because numbers do not lie.“Therefore the opportunity has arrived for you to shape Government‘s policy and government’s modus operandi going forward in the next 44 years.“We want a clear blue print that is deliverable and achievable to ensure that our nation truly progress.“The entre public policy must be conducive to growth and citizen empowerment.”Prime Minister Marape reiterated that he will be announcing his Government’s Plans in September and urged everyone at the forum to send in their ideas even after he announces his government’s strategy.

We need data and statistics to plan way forward for the people and country PM Marape

PM Marape assures businesses of Government’s commitment to dialogue to address economic policies concerns



PM’s State visit - Aust.



Opening of the firstCatheterization Laboratory



establishing formal diplomatic ties in 1989. Their discussions focused on ‘Trade and Investment’. The Vietnamese Ambassador of noted the importance of this matter and was very keen to share his countries experiences with PNG, particularly in the areas of; Agriculture, Telecommunication, Fisheries and Technology exchange. Prime Minister Marape in response acknowledged the Ambassador’s remarks on the importance of trade and investment and said that Vietnam was a booming economy with so much to acquire from in terms of business and PNG was keen to draw on it’s experience to help grow the economy. He expressed keen interest in Vietnam’s development especially in the areas of technology that could be of mutual benefit for PNG in the future. Prime Minister Marape informed the Ambassador that PNG had a lot to

The Prime Minister, James Marape, met with Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia, His Excellency, Mr Pham to discuss the status of existing bilateral relations.Papua New Guinea and Vietnam have enjoyed cordial relations since

offer in terms of resources and he was appreciative of Vietnam’s proposal to share its experiences with PNG to develop Agriculture and Technology. “We are focusing more on downstream processing and it would be very helpful to share and learn from Vietnam’s experience in this area,” said Prime Minster Marape. Ambassador Quang in response said that PNG has a lot of areas to invvvvest in and Vietnam is showing keen interest in those areas. In addition, he extended an invitation from the Vietnamese Government for Prime Minister Marape to Officially Visit Vietnam to further strengthen the bilateral relations and see what the country had on offer. In concluding, Prime Minister Marape also invited Vietnam to consider setting up a fully-fledged Diplomatic Mission in PNG so that both countries could work together to strengthen and enhance the existing bilateral ties.

Prime Minister keen to setup Business Forum in South Korea.

PM Marape opens first Catheterization Laboratory, a public health facility at PMGHThe Prime Minister, James Marape, officially opened the first Catheterization Laboratory for a public health facility at the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH).The Prime Minister said health is a right of all citizens and universal health care is the duty of all government.“In modern contemporary PNG, our health services must be geared towards its present need and future trends,” Prime Minister Marape said.“Life style diseases are present and will be present into the future.”The Prime Minister said prevention must be promoted in the first instance and investigation and cure and care facilities must also be available in the 2020s going into the future.“Availability of quality world best standard medical services is the dream of the Marape/Steven government and whilst we pay respect to all contribution thus far by past government, we will not stop,” Prime Minister Marape said.“Working within budget limitations, we want to ensure all required types of medical services are present in our country by 2030. “And we will start this journey by building on what we have here. By 2025 we want the journey towards all services to have taken shape.”Prime Minister Marape said level 7 hospital in PMGH is to have modern facilities to handle all specialist care in the country, be it heart, kidney, lung, cancer etc.“Our level 6 hospitals in our regions need to progress towards having their own facilities,” he said.

“Each province must have a functional modern hospital taking shape; and our district hospitals and health centers in rural areas must be reconstructed or constructed to deliver quality reliable health care and with modern digital health referral system that either brings health care to our people or refers the patients to higher care.“Health is our people’s right. Modern quality care to all people is incumbent on my government and all of us here going forward.“By 2030, I dream of a country where people are healthy and where quality care is available.“Health tourism is a market opening big time in the Asia Pacific region and we too

can fill in that niche market where cost of health will increase in nations around us.“We have brilliant medical brains. We can build our health system and manpower to world quality and the health sector becomes an important component and fundamental foundation of our modern economy going forward.”Prime Minister Marape added that his government, in proportion to the budget size, look forward to meet the requirements of the health sector target requirements, to ensure the national vision in Vision 2050 and his dream to make PNG the richest black Christian nation on earth is realized at the earliest.



The Resident High Commissioner, His Excellency, Mohamad Nasri Abdul Rahman recently paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister, James Marape. The purpose of the meeting with Prime Minister Marape was to strengthen existing relations and explore new and potential areas of cooperation. PM Marape in acknowledging the long and fruitful relations reaffirmed PNG’s continued support and stressed that under his watch, he would work on consolidating this relationship to ensure tangible outcomes for PNG. He also added that he was very envious of how Malaysia had developed from a rural agri-based to a modern economy through

PM Mahathir and mentioned his desire to draw from that experience to “Take Back PNG” and make it the richest black Christian nation. In terms of investment, PM Marape assured the High Commissioner that all investors were welcomed and any amendments to policies and regulations were in no way intended to discourage foreign investment, but to protect the interests of the investors as well as PNG Citizens and ensure foreign investors were complying with PNG’s domestic laws and regulations. In response, High Commissioner Mohamed informed of a large presence of Malaysian investors in PNG and indicated that other Malaysian businesses were interested in

establishing formal diplomatic ties in 1989. Their discussions focused on ‘Trade and Investment’. The Vietnamese Ambassador of noted the importance of this matter and was very keen to share his countries experiences with PNG, particularly in the areas of; Agriculture, Telecommunication, Fisheries and Technology exchange. Prime Minister Marape in response acknowledged the Ambassador’s remarks on the importance of trade and investment and said that Vietnam was a booming economy with so much to acquire from in terms of business and PNG was keen to draw on it’s experience to help grow the economy. He expressed keen interest in Vietnam’s development especially in the areas of technology that could be of mutual benefit for PNG in the future. Prime Minister Marape informed the Ambassador that PNG had a lot to

The Prime Minister, James Marape, met with Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia, His Excellency, Mr Pham to discuss the status of existing bilateral relations.Papua New Guinea and Vietnam have enjoyed cordial relations since

offer in terms of resources and he was appreciative of Vietnam’s proposal to share its experiences with PNG to develop Agriculture and Technology. “We are focusing more on downstream processing and it would be very helpful to share and learn from Vietnam’s experience in this area,” said Prime Minster Marape. Ambassador Quang in response said that PNG has a lot of areas to invvvvest in and Vietnam is showing keen interest in those areas. In addition, he extended an invitation from the Vietnamese Government for Prime Minister Marape to Officially Visit Vietnam to further strengthen the bilateral relations and see what the country had on offer. In concluding, Prime Minister Marape also invited Vietnam to consider setting up a fully-fledged Diplomatic Mission in PNG so that both countries could work together to strengthen and enhance the existing bilateral ties.

investing in the country and further made mention of his Government’s interest in the new Marape/Steven Administration and whether the policies and priorities and the interest by Petronas, Malaysia to invest in PNG’s gas and oil sector. PM Marape was very encouraged and informed the High Commissioner that he would be happy for Petronas and Kumul Consolidated Holdings to meet at a later date to consolidate ideas and find practical ways of developing the petroleum and gas sector in PNG. In other matters, High Commissioner Mohamad advised of training opportunities available to Papua New Guineans particularly for public servants under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program, which could be utilized to help develop PNG’s human capital. PM Marape in welcoming this opportunity sought the High Commissioner’s assistance in organizing training programs on shore as well in the areas of downstream processing in the oil and gas sector. PM Marape in closing conveyed his best wishes to Prime Minister Mahthir and expressed his intentions and desire to Officially Visit Malaysia in November 2020 just prior to the APEC Leaders’ Summit in Kuala Lumpur to explore further enhance the existing relations as well as promote business, trade and investment opportunities. High Commissioner Mohamed noted this and agreed to work and finalize the arrangements with the PNG Government.

PM Marape meets Resident Malaysian High Commissioner

Prime Minister meets Vietnamese Ambassador



Department Vision and Mission StatementOur vision is to provide strategic leadership in supporting the Government of PNG in the Development, Coordination and Implementation of sound policies, programs and effective governance that works

for the benefit of the people.

Our mission is to provide coherent, hight quality and timely advise and support to the Prime Minister, the National Executive Council and the Chief Secretary to Government.

The Prime Minister, James Marape, met with the Resident High Commissioner of New Zealand, His Excellency Philip Taula and discussed the status of the current PNG/New Zealand bilateral relations as well as exiting and new areas of cooperation in July this year.At the commencement of their meeting, PM Marape thanked the New Zealand Government for its continuous support towards peace and restoration on Bougainville and for the Referendum process which is set to take place in October this year.PM Marape also informed the High Commissioner that the National Coordination Office of Bougainville Affairs (NCOBA) and the Government of Bougainville had assured him that they would provide and update of the status of the Referendum following its completion in October and advice of the best way forward on how to address any related issues that may arise as a consequence of

the Referendum. The Prime Minister also expressed his profound satisfaction for New Zealand’s major role in the 2001 Peace Agreement.He further advised High Commissioner to be mindful of the ripple effect the referendum that could have on the rest of the Provinces who also want autonomy and to coordinate all their efforts through the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.In terms of business opportunities, the PM said PNG Government was happy to engage with New Zealand in that, as well as other areas of cooperation such as people-to-people, Government-to-Government, agriculture, fisheries and development of thermal energy amongst others.In response, the New Zealand High Commissioner agreed that our bilateral relations had great potential for a stronger relationship and informed Prime Minister of the long-standing Development Cooperation arrangement PNG had with

New Zealand.He said New Zealand was committed to the Rural Electrification Project announced last year during PNG’s hosting of APEC.On Bougainville, he informed PM of his visit to the region where he met with the people who expressed their satisfaction of their new Minister for Bougainville Affairs, Sir Puka Temu.Telephone: +675 71175240, +675 7613 0051 E-mail: [email protected] Taula said New Zealand’s preparedness to provide technical support towards the people of Bougainville in terms of the Referendum and their intention to set up a police center in Bougainville to help support the Bougainville Police.In concluding their meeting PM Marape informed of his desire to Officially Visit New Zealand and for the High Commissioner to inform the New Zealand Prime Minister of his intention.

Resident New Zealand High Commissioner pays courtesy call on Prime Minister

issue no. 11, july, 2019 joint statement by prime

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