By KEITH JACKSON in A PNG Attitude
AFTER AN energetic start to repair what was a fraying relationship between Australia and PNG, prime minister Kevin Rudd appears to be running out of puff.
Following his election a little over two years ago, Mr Rudd moved swiftly to renew ties between the two neighbouring countries.
He held out the hand of friendship to prime minister Somare and appointed PNG veteran, Duncan Kerr, to the Pacific Island Affairs portfolio.
But there are signs that fatigue has crept into the relationship.
Mr Kerr stepped down as parliamentary secretary in November and so far no replacement has been announced, even though the government had some months warning of the resignation.
Similarly, a new high commissioner to Port Moresby was expected to have been appointed more than a month ago, but the wires have gone strangely dead.
Australia's hapless aid agency AusAID has, inter alia, been recently taken to task by a Federal parliamentary committee and the subject of a critical report by the Australian National Audit Office without so much as a breath of comment from the government.
The civil situation in PNG, in a progressive state of decline despite an incipient resources boom, has so far not attracted any public commentary from the Australian government.
Meanwhile, the influence of the Chinese government grows rapidly in the Pacific, with PNG now looking to China to contest Australia's influence in the region.
And Somare saw fit to cock a snook at the Australian and New Zealand governments over Fiji, as a new and cavalier Melanesian brotherhood formed.
Pacific diplomacy Howard style was to look down on the islands from 40,000 feet as an interesting piece of geography on the way to the US.
Pacific diplomacy Rudd style seems to be to make sympathetic noises and then do nothing.
I hope I'm wrong and that a regiment of public servants is even now washing the Bateman's Bay sand from its hair ready to embark on a cunning plan to better equip the relationship for a robust future.
Since Duncan Kerr stepped down in November 2009 as Parliamentary Secretary, Canberra has been very slow to appoint a good successor. I am wondering why the long delay.
ReplyDeleteChina is making some very big inroads on to PNG and Pacific turf once monopolized by Australian foreign policy initiatives during the Howard years.
Australia and PNG must now fully appreciate that China has recently become a major strategic player in these parts. It will become a future key strategic partner in foreign relations and trade links to both countries.
If Australia wants to maintain its ongoing strong position as PNG's key strategic partner, then it must not be complacent. China will become the new foreign policy challenge for both PNG and Australia to maintain a good three-way balancing act.
China in recent times has effectively used cheque book diplomacy strategies to try to win the hearts and minds of poor smaller island states. This will be the future trend from here on.
Australia and PNG has had a very good thing going for a long time, so this is no time for Australia to be dragging its feet.
Can someone who cares for PNG's future interests in Canberra remind Kevin Rudd that, amidst his latest passion about climate change and reviewing his stalled emission trading scheme, to slow down his jet-setting pace a bit and spare a thought for PNG and its people, even if its own government pretends ignorance.
The PNG people will continue to look at Australian goodwill in times of great need to come to the aid of the party. This is needed as the CEO PNG Inc is too preoccupied with the two LNG projects and other distractions to address the basic governance issues that affect our daily lives.
PNG will still need to be guided and steered now and then on a safe future course lest it enters dangerous waters. Kevin needs to do this even if its irks the grand chief. If Kevin does not diplomatically remind PNG then who will?
I agree that Australia should do more, than Lizard Lips - Kevin07... he seems to be hell bent on policies, and leeast concerned about the people on ground zero that are the sufferers of the dreaded illness which is sickening a nation of christians who deserve to enjoy the qualitify of life that the politicians are enjoying at the expense of the voters... come on think, if not for the voters you will NEVER become a PM, so lets get back to basics instead of the high flying jet setting at the taxpayers expense, and thousands of Ex Territorians living and working in Australia are helpless to assist the country that once we use to love... PNG - Kamonai Kevin Rudd, do something now before it is too late and you will have missed the boat !! Engage through PNGAA people in the know for Ausaid projects, that will deliver services to the rural and remote frontiers that were once forged by the Australian Kiaps to improve the quality of life.... KISS I say to you Kevin07.... keep it simple stupid.....
ReplyDeleteMr Oberleuter: 1. Your abusive allusions to Kevin Rudd do nothing to enhance your credibility. 2. Many of the "thousands of Ex-Territorians" (of which I am one, I assume you are also)found it impossible to continue in PNG due to a new form of discrimination, plus a lack of safety due to the escalating breakdown of law and order. 3. Maybe you are on the right track referring to "the quality of life that the politicians are enjoying"; which politicians did you have in mind? In which country? 4. Australia, regardless of ruling party, still maintains approx. $360 MILLION aid per annum, in conjunction with other countries who render aid. 5.What, exactly, should Kevin Rudd do to ensure "people in the know" will flock to PNG?
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