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The Commonwealth announced the development of a $580 million package to support the upgrade of critical port infrastructure across Papua New Guinea.
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As part of the package, Australia is expected to provide assistance to the PNG Ports Corporation to better enable the organisation to undertake much needed repairs and upgrades on the nation’s key ports. The upgrades will enable larger ships to dock in PNG, supporting trade between the country and the broader global community.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Marise Payne explained that the port upgrades will not only improve PNG's trade capacity but will also support the country’s economic resilience.
“Today’s announcement strengthens Australia’s enduring friendship with Papua New Guinea through a fiscally sustainable partnership in quality port infrastructure. It will have broad based economic and social benefits for businesses and communities,” Minister Payne said.
According to the Commonwealth, many of the ports were nearing their end of life serviceability, with the recent pandemic causing significant economic strains throughout the region.
Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja explained that upgrading the ports would result in significant benefits for PNG citizens.
“Works will also include urgent repairs and upgrades for deteriorated coastal wharves that are up to 70 years old. By improving community access to healthcare, education and livelihoods, this partnership will make a real difference to people’s lives,” Minister Seselja said.
The announcement follows ongoing defence co-operation between PNG and Australia.
In November, Australia-PNG joint training exercise Olgeta Warrior 21 came to an end with ADF members from 21 units taking part in the exercise to deepen Australia's interoperability with members of the PNG Defence Force.
The exercise, which was scheduled to occur annually, was delayed until August due to disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The exercise drew together members from the Army’s 3rd Brigade Headquarters, 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion, 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, 4th and 20th Regiments of the Royal Australian Artillery, the ADF Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, 1st Intelligence Battalion and the 1st Military Police Battalion to form the Olgeta Warrior Mobile Training Team.
Throughout the exercise, members of the Olgeta Warrior MTT coached courses in combat signals, environmental health, preventative medicine, tactical intelligence, driver training, UAV operations and military police training to their PNG counterparts.
[Related: Defence delivers patrol boat to PNG]
