Australia’s consul-general to set up in Lae

AUSTRALIA’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop has announced the appointment of Paul Murphy (pictured) as Australia’s Consul-General in Lae.
Bishop said Australia was committed to building its economic and strategic partnership with Papua New Guinea.
“As Papua New Guinea’s commercial hub, Lae is integral to Australia’s more than A$18 billion (K41.0597bn) investment in Papua New Guinea. Lae is also home to a number of Australian businesses,” Bishop said in a statement.
“The Consulate-General will boost Australia’s presence in Papua New Guinea and bolster the growing trade and investment relationship between our two countries. It will also offer consular and other services to the thousands of Australians living in the area.
“The Consulate-General will support the delivery of Australia’s aid investment in Papua New Guinea, expected to be more than A$550 million (K1,254.60m) in 2016-17.
“Our investment is focused on promoting effective governance, enabling economic growth and enhancing human development.”
Murphy is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and was the Assistant Director, Free Trade Agreement Division.
He has served overseas as First Secretary (Economic), Australian High Commission, Port Moresby.
In Canberra, he has served in the Iraq Task Force and the International Economic and Finance Section.
He holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University.
Murphy will arrive in Papua New Guinea in January 2017 and operate from temporary premises until the new Consulate-General opens for business in mid-2017.
“I thank Australia’s Honorary Consul in Lae, Alan McLay, for his excellent contribution in providing consular services for Australians over the past three years,” Bishop said.