PNG can be a regional leader, says Bob Carr

FOREIGN Minister Bob Carr has looked to the government of Peter O'Neill to help carve out a greater regional leadership role for Papua New Guinea, and hailed the mid-year elections as a beacon of democracy for developing nations.

Senator Carr, who will attend the Australia PNG Ministerial Forum in Port Moresby tomorrow, backed Mr O'Neill's call to establish an anti-corruption commission and unveiled further health and education assistance.

In his first visit to PNG as foreign minister, Senator Carr said the forum would also discuss how Australian aid must be recalibrated to assist the initiatives of the O'Neill government, particularly in building health and education capacities.

"I think Papua New Guinea no longer has to hide its light under a bushel. The fact that it's adhered to the democratic past without veering off is a great advertisement for it and its people and its leadership," he said.

Touching down in a western highland province yesterday morning to visit the Mt Hagen Provincial Hospital, Senator Carr lauded the political stability arising from Mr O'Neill's decisive electoral victory after which he secured an alliance of 90 seats in the 111-seat parliament.

"As your country gets stronger, its economy growing, its resources developing, we in Australia see you as a friend which will play a bigger role regionally and then internationally," Senator Carr said.

"You just did something that should claim the attention of the world, you had a democratic election."

The mid-year election resolved PNG's governance crisis, in which the parliament backed Mr O'Neill while the Supreme Court backed former leader Michael Somare.

Sir Michael went into an alliance with Mr O'Neill after the election.

Accompanied by PNG Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato, Senator Carr was greeted by the locals gathered at the hospital and was treated to a brief dance by highland women in traditional garb.

Senator Carr announced a $66 million commitment to help tackle the shockingly high maternal death rate - the world's second worst behind Afghanistan.

The money will help provide 1400 nursing and midwifery scholarships, with a preference given to local women, who command a greater trust among the population.

Senator Carr said 370 mothers out of every 100,000 died in childbirth compared to only eight in the developed world.

Senator Carr visited the Notre Dame secondary school, where he announced a $12m commitment to subsidise tuition fees for more than 6000 students.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen will visit Manus Island today before attending the forum tomorrow.

 THE AUSTRALIAN

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