Bulolo MP Sam Basil travels to Australia

Bulolo MP Sam Basil has done it again.

Mr Basil, who recently returned from the USA after attending the inauguration of President Barrack Obama, left for Australia last Friday for a weeklong visit at the invitation of the Australian government.

He returns on March 1.

Australian High Commissioner to PNG Chris Moraitis announced the trip in the presence of Mr Basil at a press conference last Thursday.

Mr Moraitis said the programme, known as the Australian Special Visitors Programme, was aimed at “up-and-coming” people such as Mr Basil to visit and give them a “very good insight” into the country.

He said Mr Basil would visit Western Australian, Victoria and Canberra meeting with politicians, parliamentary secretaries, and business houses such as Newcrest, a joint venture partner with Harmony in the Hidden Valley gold mine in Wau.

Previous PNG beneficiaries of the programme, which has been run over many years, include politicians Paul Tienstien and Sam Abal, and journalist Frank Senge Kolma, among many others.

“We hope Sam (Basil) has a good visit there,” Mr Moraitis said.

“We’re happy to do that before Parliament resumes in March.”

Mr Basil said it was an honour for his Bulolo electorate to travel overseas so soon after his visit to the USA.

“I’m very fortunate to go overseas this time, this time to Australia,” he said.

“This trip will really help me to understand Australia.”

Mr Basil gave a vote of thanks to the Australian government, through its High Commission, for making the trip possible.