PACIFIC: Australian PM plans PNG, Sols visit
Updated
The new Australian Government's focus on relations with the South Pacific is to be emphasised by a visit to Melanesia by the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd. Planning is under way for Mr Rudd to visit Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands next month. The Pacific emphasis has also been shown in the maiden speeches of two new Labor MPs in the Australian capital Canberra.
Presenter: Graeme Dobell
RUDD: The Rudd Australian government is promising a new tone in relations with the South Pacific, compared to the 11 and a half years of the previous Howard Government.
KERR: I think there is no doubt that our relationship with the Pacific was damaged to some degree by a perception that Australia was bullying and sometimes self-righteous.
DOBELL: The Parliamentary secretary for the South Pacific, Duncan Kerr, who says there will still be differences between Australia and the Islands, but they can be discussed with respect and a sense of partnership. That approach is to be symbolised with plans for the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, to visit Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands next month. The Pacific rethink has also been evident in the maiden speeches of new Labor MPs in the Parliament. The incoming member for the electorate based around Geelong in Victoria, Richard Marles, devoted part of his speech in the House to his experiences of Papua New Guinea and PNG's Struggles for identity since gaining independence from Australia in 1975.
MARLES: And that struggle is being had by our nearest neighbour to the north, Papua New Guinea. People who have seen themselves as highlanders or from Manus, as Trobriand Islanders or Papuans, have been asked to forge a nation combining all of these people and many more. While Australia was a caring and benevolent colonial power, the truth is that we did very little to prepare these people for what has turned out to be a tremendously difficult task.
DOBELL: The new Labor MP says Australia must re-engage with Papua New Guinea, to re-build bonds that have eroded with time, so Australia can offer much needed help
MARLES: And so in 2008 Papua New Guinea is bleeding. All its social indicators are poor, such that life expectancy in PNG is the shortest of any nation outside of Africa. Port Moresby is now one of the most dangerous cities in the world, and there is an unknown rate of HIV infection which is drawing comparisons with sub- Saharan Africa. As always, it is PNG's poor who are the worst victims. And yet, with its abundant resources, PNG could be a wonderful success. Ultimately, of course, it is for PNG to determine its own future but, as PNG tackles its issues, it is very important that Australia is there as a strong partner both out of affection for a close neighbour but also in our own national interest. Since 1975 I think all levels of Australian society, not just government but corporate Australia and the community sector as well, have failed to maintain the bonds which used to exist with Papua New Guinea prior to independence.
DOBELL: The new Labor MP for the New South Wales seat of Robertson, Belinda Neal, ended her maiden speech by discussing her passion for a range of issues confronting the Rudd Government. One she pointed to is Australia's role in promoting democracy and rule of law in the South Pacific.
NEAL: I believe that we have a responsibility to engage in the reduction of poverty worldwide, and I embrace our commitment to increasing foreign aid to 0.5 per cent of GDP. I believe that because it is what is required of a humane society and also because I am convinced that deprivation leads to war, suffering and death. I believe Australia should focus more on our island neighbours in the Pacific region and provide greater assistance in developing democratic governments and the rule of law in that region. I believe that Australia can do better. That is why I am here.
