Australia and Papua New Guinea partner on transformative high-speed internet project

The strength of the Papua New Guinea – Australia partnership was demonstrated further this week with the signing of a memorandum of understanding for a trilateral project to deliver the Coral Sea Cable System. 

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Peter O’Neill, Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull, and Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Rick Houenipwela at the MOU signing in Canberra

The three Prime Ministers from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Australia led the signing event. 

In Port Moresby today a subsidiary arrangement was also signed.

The Coral Sea Cable System is a showcase of how Papua New Guinea and Australia continue to enhance our bilateral ties and common interests through transformative projects.

The new cable system will better connect Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Australia through the installation of undersea telecommunication cables. 

The project will enable high-speed internet capability to Papua New Guinea, resulting in significant improvements to internet reliability and quality.

The new system will enable local businesses to access new opportunities in the region and globally, and provide opportunities to leverage technology to deliver improved government services. 

This will result in substantial economic and development opportunities for Papua New Guinea.

At the signing event in Port Moresby to confirm arrangements with the Department of National Planning and Monitoring, Australia’s High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Bruce Davis said that Australia is proud to be partnering with Papua New Guinea on this exciting project.  

Chief Secretary to the Government Isaac Lupari (PNG), Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Dr Martin Parkinson (Australia), Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Peter O’Neill, Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Rick Houenipwela, and Undersecretary for the Ministry of Finance and Treasury Harry Kuma (Solomon Islands) at the MOU signing in Canberra

Davis went on to say that “the new cable system underscores Papua New Guinea’s efforts to promote economic integration in the Pacific in its 2018 APEC host year, and to foster domestic growth opportunities".

The Coral Sea Cable System is scheduled for completion by the end of 2019. 

Australia will fund the majority of the project, with Papua New Guinea to provide an important co-contribution. 

Solomon Islands will also provide a contribution as a partner in this trilateral project. 

Celebrating Indigenous Australian-Papua New Guinea linkages

Australian High Commission

The Australian High Commission in Port Moresby is hosting a special programme of events through to Thursday July 19 in celebration of the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee or NAIDOC Week.  

The programme began on Monday July 9 with a ceremony at the High Commission to raise the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags alongside the Australian flag.

Raising of the flags: Australian High Commission second secretary Yasmine Davis raising the Torres Strait Islander flag, chief executive officer of Indigenous Community Volunteers Stephanie Harvey raising the Aboriginal flag and Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis raising the Australian flag.

This year two exceptional indigenous Australian women have been invited to participate in the programme – Stephanie Harvey, chief executive officer of Indigenous Community Volunteers and rising star in the music industry, Emily Wurramara.

The two week programme includes the formalisation of a partnership  between Papua New Guinea’s National Volunteer Service and Indigenous Community Volunteers and a creative collaboration between Emily Wurramara and Papua New Guinea’s top female artist, Mereani Masani, which includes performing for and mentoring youth in performance skills.

Australian High Commission second secretary Yasmine Davis, National Volunteer Service acting executive director  Molly Willie, National Volunteer Service council chairman Bernard Maladina, Secretary for Department of Youth Religion and Community Development Anna Solomon, Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis, chief executive officer of Indigenous Community Volunteers (ICV); Stephanie Harvey, co-chairman of ICV Board Bill Edwards, ICV general manager for business development and innovation Tom Layton and Australian High Commission second secretary; Jacqueline Herbert.

NAIDOC Week first emerged in the 1920s when Aboriginal groups sought to increase awareness on the status and treatment of indigenous Australians.

This year’s NAIDOC Week theme ‘Because Of Her, We Can!’ celebrates the important role that women have played, and continue to play, as active and significant role models at all levels of society.

Crime fighters trained in latest fraud and corruption investigation techniques

Australian High Commission

The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary is boosting its efforts to crack down on financial crimes in Papua New Guinea. 

By the end of the year, almost 80 police officers will have received specialist training in investigation and prosecution of fraud and corruption.

East New Britain Deputy Governor  Cosmas Bauk (centre, front row) and RPNGC Assistant Commissioner, Island Region, Anton Billie (fourth from left) join instructors and participants at the commencement of the Fraud and Corruption Investigation training, in Kokopo, East New Britain.

The RPNGC Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate is conducting the Fraud Investigations and Prosecutions course nationally.

 The training was held for 28 officers from the New Guinea Islands Region in Kokopo, East New Britain, recently. 

The training will strengthen the capacity of these officers to investigate and prosecute complex fraud and related matters in a coordinated way.

 This is the second group of officers to undergo this training, following one conducted in March for 29 officers from the Southern Region in Port Moresby.

Course Instructor, Chief Sergeant Kila Guma said the training significantly increases the effectiveness of police in detecting, investigating and prosecuting fraud, corruption and similar crimes.

“This course is very important. 

"We want to train more officers to be able to investigate fraud and corruption effectively as there is a real appetite among officers for this sort of training.”

He added that by bringing investigators and prosecutors together in the same room, the training will foster mutual understanding and teamwork in the successful prosecution of offenders.

The course covers practical issues such as investigation planning and management, as well as interactive sessions on elements of offences, file preparation and evidence. 

Participants will also receive training on the recent legislation concerning money laundering and the proceeds of crime, which is essential to combatting increasingly complex financial crimes.

Senior Constable Tina Nikints, a fraud investigator based in East New Britain, said the training was “something I have been longing for”.

RPNGC fraud and corruption investigator Senior Constable Tina Nikints: “I am so happy to be doing this course. It is something I have been longing for.”

“When I started in the Fraud and Anti-corruption Unit I didn’t have any formal training. 

"I used to read old court files to understand what was involved. I was the only lady in the unit, and at first I was afraid to ask for advice.”

Senior Constable Felicitas Mare, a police prosecutor based in West New Britain, said the course, which covers the latest trends and techniques, would lead to more effective and efficient investigations and prosecutions.

“After this course I will really know how to deal with fraud matters and I am pleased,” Senior Constable Mare said.

Plans are in place to conduct the next training in Mt Hagen for officers based in the Highlands region.

This initiative is supported by the Australian Government through the Justice Services and Stability for Development Program.

ExxonMobil PNG assists with restoration of food gardens in Hela Province

Exxon Mobil

ExxonMobil PNG continues with its long-term recovery support for earthquake affected communities
Over 58,000 vegetative cuttings, 200 kgs seeds and 900 garden tools distributed 

ExxonMobil PNG Limited, operator of PNG LNG project is continuing to distribute planting materials and gardening tools to communities in its project areas as part of its long-term recovery plan to assist earthquake affected communities re-establish their food gardens.

Delivering planting materials in very bad weather

The distribution is being coordinated by ExxonMobil PNG’s Community Livelihood Improvement Program (CLIP) partner ANU Enterprise. 

“ExxonMobil PNG is here to stay and as a good neighbour we are committed to lend a helping a hand to the communities who are in need of assistance to recover from the impacts of the earthquake,” said Andrew Barry, ExxonMobil PNG managing director.

The distribution has reached more than 900 household of communities living along the Pipeline Right of Way (ROW) at Benaria areas including Yarale, Timu, Lau, Benaria, Mulako Tangi, Tamita and Pakale.

Other distribution sites around Hides include the well pads, 3 Ways, Nigiria, Perapu and Kulu communities.

Since the distribution started, CLIP has delivered more than 39,000 sweet potato vines, 19,400 cassava cuttings, over 20 kilograms of seeds and more than 900 spades.

Sweet potato veins and cassava cuttings ready for distribution

The planting materials consist of pathogen tested sweet potato vines, cassava cuttings, green beans, corn and pakchoi seeds.

The villages are very remote and surrounded by mountains.

 The communities are mostly subsistence farmers, producing crops such as banana, sweet potato, cassava, pumpkin, peanuts and corn which were destroyed by the earthquake.

EMPNG CA Officer Jonah Kupio and VLO Gibson Pipe assisting CLIP team at Lau village 

Seventh Day Adventist Church Pastor, Michael Mogolo of Mulako Tangi community in the Hulia LLG from the Komo Margarima electorate in Hela, said the communities thanked ExxonMobil PNG for the assistance and that it was the first company to set its foot on their land after the earthquake.

“Government officials and other companies find our place so remote and difficult to reach so we don’t get the assistance we need. A helicopter landing on our land to deliver the planting materials and garden tools is a story we will live to tell,” he said. 

Planting materials and gardening tools being delivered to Benaria Station community

ExxonMobil PNG is also continuing to provide support for the restoration of four key health care facilities and two primary schools in its project area in Hela Province as part of its long term recovery plan. 

Saving Lives, spreading smiles – 33,000 babies to benefit from improved newborn care

PORT MORESBY, 11 July, 2018 – More than 33,000 babies born over the next three years (July 2018 – June 2021) in Western Highlands Province will receive an improved comprehensive package
of new born care to ensure they survive and thrive.

Tony Stuart, Chief Executive Officer UNICEF Australia and David Mcloughlin, Country Representative UNICEF PNG during the signing of the LOE in Sydney Australia, yesterday. 

This follows the approval of a generous funding support of over K2 million (USD 642,600) by UNICEF Australia to support the roll out of an Early Essential Newborn Care (EENC) programme with a focus on preventing and managing neonatal hypothermia (low body temperature) through the use of an innovative hypothermia alert device known locally as the Bebi Kol Kilok.
In Papua New Guinea, up to6,000.newborns or six out of every 10 infants die every year from preventable causes, a rate that has not improved in the last 20 years and is also the highest in the region.
 Correct hypothermia management can save almost half of these deaths.
“UNICEF PNG is very grateful for this donation that will support the Government of PNG to reduce neonatal deaths by promoting simple cost effective and life-saving practices that are crucial for newborns to survive during the first month of life,” said UNICEF Representative, David Mcloughlin, at the signing of the programme in Sydney, Australia yesterday.
These include addressing critical child survival issues such as warmth or thermal protection for newborns, proper breastfeeding support, basic care for infections and breathing difficulties during
the baby’s most vulnerable period in the first month of life.
The funding support will enable UNICEF PNG to work with the Government to strengthen local capacity in hospitals and health facilities deliver the package of newborn care, assess and remove bottlenecks in the delivery of newborn care services and empower communities with the necessary skills and knowledge to continue newborn care at home.
This programme, the first phase of which is currently being implemented in the National Capital District (NCD) and Eastern Highlands Province (EHP) show decreased rates of hypothermia from 51.6 percent to 40.2 percent (NCD) and 21.3 percent to 17.5 percent in EHP since it was introduced
in 2017.
UNICEF in collaboration with the Department of Health will work directly with Western Highlands Provincial Government, the district authorities, church health services and local non-government
organisations to promote the implementation of this programme.

Young female architect building a career in construction

Australian High Commission

Stephanie Korokoro is building her career as a young architect by working on major construction projects supported by the Australian Government in Papua New Guinea.

Stephanie Korokoro on the National Museum and Art Gallery refurbishment construction site in Port Moresby.

A recent architecture graduate, Stephanie is a key member of the Planpac construction management team engaged to undertake refurbishment of the National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG) in Port Moresby.

“The museum building is of great national significance to Papua New Guineans as it conserves and displays to the world our country’s rich and diverse culture and history,” said Stephanie.

“It has been a unique experience working on a major national identity project, alongside museum staff, designers and a range of specialists in artefact conservation and curation, to meet international museum standards.”

Originally from Bougainville and the eldest of eight children, Stephanie says her parents made sure both girls and boys in her family were given equal access to education, and were encouraged to pursue their passions. 

In 2013, Stephanie obtained a degree in architecture from the University of Technology in Lae following a childhood interest in building design.

“I’ve always enjoyed designing and constructing my own DIY projects,” recalls Stephanie.

“I was inspired to become an architect after attempting to design and build my first cubby house as a child.”

Stephanie scored her first big construction project in 2015 after being with Planpac less than a year. 

Appointed as part of the construction management team on the Arawa Hospital upgrade, she was responsible for overseeing 50 construction workers across the site – predominantly men.

Despite finding the project a challenge in the beginning, she learned how to gain the trust of the men reporting to her after seeking advice from her father.

“Taking my dad’s advice, I started volunteering on site to help the men out with bits and pieces, such as mixing cement for the floor slabs and helping to weld. 

"Eventually the men realised that I was not an outsider and not only there to give out orders, but rather a team player working with them to deliver the project.

“I am also very grateful that I am part of such a supportive team of architects and construction managers, and that Planpac and the Australian Government are big advocates of gender equality.”

As Stephanie gains experience on different construction projects, she is also looking to the future. 

In the next five years, she hopes to register as a licensed architect and pursue a degree in construction management, while helping other women aspiring to work in the same field.

The NMAG refurbishment and Arawa Hospital upgrade projects are supported by the Australian Government in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea through the Decentralisation and Citizen Participation and the Bougainville Partnerships respectively.

Both Governments are committed to mainstreaming gender equity and social inclusion across all aspects of Papua New Guinea’s development as reflected in Vision 2050.

Churches join forces to combat sorcery accusation-related violence

Australian High Commission

Churches are joining forces to address sorcery accusation-related violence as part of a national effort to stamp out such attacks.

Church leaders discuss sorcery accusation-related violence in their province at the recent workshop.

Almost 50 leaders from 14 denominations in the Momase region have contributed to the development of a national church strategy to tackle sorcery accusation-related violence following a workshop in Lae by the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC).

CLRC Secretary Dr Eric Kwa has condemned sorcery accusation-related violence, saying it is usually directed against isolated and vulnerable people in the community, particularly women.

Dr Kwa said the three-day workshop was the first of a series of regional consultations to be held around the country to aid the development of a National Churches Strategic Plan on Sorcery Beliefs and Sorcery Accusation-Related Violence.

The National Churches Strategic Plan is a key component of the Sorcery National Action Plan, which aims to break the link between accusations of sorcery and violence.

Addressing the meeting, Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor Andrew Egan said churches had a crucial role in reducing and eventually eliminating the incidence of sorcery accusation-related attacks.

Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor, Andrew speaking at the meeting on the important role of churches in “helping reduce and eliminate sorcery-accusation related violence”

“Because of their deep roots in the community and their strong connection with people in their everyday lives, churches are in a unique position to help address sorcery accusation related violence,” Mr Egan said.

“Churches speak with a strong voice, and the messages they convey will be heard, that is why they are an important partner in helping reduce and eliminate such violence.” 

The National Churches Strategic Plan is being developed to help ensure churches act and speak against sorcery accusation-related violence in a consistent and coordinated way.

The workshop was organised by the CLRC with support from the Department for Community Development and Religion, the PNG Council of Churches and the Australian Government through the Justice Services and Stability for Development Program.