THE PNG GOVERNMENT is defending its Independent Public Business Corporation having an office in Brisbane.

It says it saves the PNG taxpayer money and is a convenient location for important government meetings.

Public Enterprises Minister, Arthur Somare, took exception to opposition criticism of the cost of the office.

He says the cost of maintaining an office in Brisbane is about the third of the equivalent space in Port Moresby.

And he says the Brisbane office has helped the government to make significant savings as a convenient location for meetings with the Australian and Queensland governments about the liquefied natural gas project.

Source: Radio New Zealand International