BY RICHARD MARLES

Late last year, PNG Attitude asked readers to nominate the issues you’d raise if you had an opportunity to speak with Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Richard Marles.  Mr Marles has now responded to each critical issue and we’re publishing his statements in four special Key PNG Issues segments

THANK YOU for the opportunity to respond to some of the key issues raised in the questions provided by PNG Attitude readers.

The Government of Papua New Guinea is ultimately responsible for its own development progress. But Australian aid, although a relatively small part of PNG's revenue, is making a difference.

In 2009, 300,000 more students were enrolled in elementary and primary schools than in 2006. Over the same period, basic education completion rates increased from 41.5 per cent in 2006 to 56.9 per cent.

In 2008, Australia supported the immunisation of over 900,000 children against measles and other childhood illnesses, covering over 95 per cent of children in six provinces in PNG.

During a visit to Australia in 2009, Prime Minister Somare agreed with then Prime Minister Rudd that the PNG Development Cooperation Treaty (DCT), which provides the legal basis for our aid relationship, should be reviewed.

The recently-completed review of the DCT recommends an increased focus in our aid program on service delivery and working with volunteers, churches and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs).

In recognition of the important role churches and NGOs play in our program in PNG, in July 2010, then Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith, announced Australia would provide $50 million over five years to churches in PNG. This funding will help churches continue to deliver crucial health and education services to the poorest and most disadvantaged people in remote areas of PNG.

In addition, there are already 36 Australian government-funded volunteers in PNG working in a range of areas including small business development, health, HIV, education and rural development.

The DCT review also recommends narrowing the focus of Australia’s aid program and reducing an over-reliance on advisers to achieve better outcomes.  Australia agrees with the broad thrust of the review and the Australian and PNG Governments will jointly respond in due course.

A separate recent review of advisers in PNG was conducted jointly by PNG and Australian officials to ensure that each AusAID-funded adviser position is the most effective response in the current context to meeting agreed development needs and priorities.  Advisers are recruited based on their relevant experience, and are highly skilled in their work. The review has confirmed that advisers remain a valued and effective part of Australia’s aid to PNG.

That said, inline with the recommendations of the DCT review, Foreign Ministers Rudd and Abal recently agreed that adviser numbers in PNG will be cut by a third over the next two years. In future, Australia’s aid to PNG will have a greater emphasis on alternatives to advisers, such as training, the provision of equipment or using locally available services.

The DCT review also contains a number of recommendations that can only be addressed by the PNG Government. Improved governance, law and order and reduced corruption are all essential in order for aid to be most effective. Consistent with our partnership approach, the focus of our assistance will continue to be agreed in accordance with PNG government priorities.

I also note that the PNG LNG project represents a significant opportunity for Papua New Guinea to transform its economy and future development. Australia remains committed to helping PNG achieve its objectives for the project, including by supporting the establishment of sovereign wealth funds to manage LNG revenues effectively and transparently.

Hon Richard Marles MP is the Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs in the Australian Parliament

PNG Attitude welcomes readers’ comments on the Parliamentary Secretary’s views