List of high commissioners of Australia to Papua New Guinea explained

Post:High Commissioner of Australia to Papua New Guinea
Insignia:Coat of Arms of Australia.svg
Insigniasize:120px
Department:Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Incumbent:Jon Philp
Incumbentsince:25 February 2020
Residence:Waigani, Port Moresby
Nominator:Prime Minister of Australia
Style:His Excellency
Appointer:Governor General of Australia
Reports To:Minister for Foreign Affairs
Formation:1 December 1973
Inaugural:Les Johnson
Website:Australian High Commission, Papua New Guinea

The High Commissioner of Australia to Papua New Guinea is an officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the head of the High Commission of the Commonwealth of Australia in Papua New Guinea. The High Commissioner resides in Port Moresby and, since February 2020, has been Jon Philp. The high commission's work has been assisted since 6 February 2017 by a consulate-general in Lae.

Posting history

The Australian Government has offered diplomatic representation in Papua New Guinea since the establishment of self-government for the Territory of Papua and New Guinea in December 1973. The Australian Government administrator in Papua New Guinea was retitled as High Commissioner, which was continued as a solely diplomatic post once PNG gained independence from 16 September 1975.[1] [2]

Lae consulate

On 18 April 1975, a consular office was opened in the city of Lae, which was later upgraded to a consulate-general from 16 September 1975 upon independence.[3] However, due to resource constraints in foreign affairs with the new Liberal/National government of Malcolm Fraser, the post was scaled down from late 1978, with the responsibilities of the consulate passed to the Deputy High Commissioner in Port Moresby, Max Hughes, and was completely closed down in December 1981.[4] The post remained closed until the appointment and opening of an Honorary Consulate on 24 July 1989, which lasted until the reopening of the Consulate-General in February 2017 as part of a significant expansion of Australia's global diplomatic presence.[5] [6]

Heads of mission

Officeholder Title Term start date Term end date Time in office Notes
align=center High Commissioner for Papua New Guineaalign=right [7] [8] [9]
[10] [11] [12]
High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea
align=center align=right [13] [14]
align=center Robert Birchalign=right [15] [16]
align=center Michael Wilsonalign=right [17] [18]
align=center Lance Josephalign=right [19]
align=center align=right [20] [21]
align=center align=right [22]
align=center align=right [23]
align=center align=right [24] [25]
align=center align=right [26] [27]
align=center align=right [28] [29] [30]
align=center align=right [31] [32] [33]
align=center Deborah Stokesalign=right [34] [35]
align=center Bronte Moules (Acting)align=right [36]
align=center Bruce Davisalign=right [37] [38]
align=center Incumbentalign=right [39]

Consuls-general in Lae

NameStart of termEnd of termReferences
Noel Ross SmithNovember 197425 October 1976[40]
Eric Herbert Hanfield25 October 19761978[41]
Max Hughes (resident in Port Moresby)1978December 1981[42]
Posting closed
Kevin Beamish (Honorary Consul)24 July 198912 September 1994[43] [44]
Phil Franklin (Honorary Consul)12 September 1994August 2013[45] [46]
Alan McLay (Honorary Consul)August 201316 December 2016[47]
Paul Murphy16 December 201616 December 2020[48] [49]
Mark Foxe16 December 2020present[50]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Dual role likely for top PNG official. The Canberra Times. 31 October 1973. 1. Gay. Davidson.
  2. News: Whitlam . Gough . Independence of Papua New Guinea: establishment of diplomatic relations . 9 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 12 September 1975 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  3. News: Willesee . Don . Opening of Australian Consular Office in Lae . 9 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 17 April 1975 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  4. News: Closure of Lae Consulate-General . Department of Foreign Affairs . 16 October 1981 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  5. Web site: Bishop. Julie. Opening of Lae Consulate-General. Minister for Foreign Affairs. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 31 May 2017. Media release. 9 March 2017.
  6. News: Australian Consulate-General in Lae gets down to business. 24 June 2017. Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea. DFAT. 6 February 2017.
  7. News: PNG post. The Canberra Times. 3. 7 November 1973. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. National Library of Australia.
  8. News: Willesee . Don . Self-Government for Papua New Guinea . 9 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 30 November 1973 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  9. News: Willesee . Don . Appointment of High Commissioner of Papua New Guinea . 9 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 6 November 1973 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  10. News: Envoy to PNG. 19 February 1974. 1. The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. National Library of Australia.
  11. News: Appointment of High Commissioner on Papua New Guinea . 9 December 2022 . Department of Foreign Affairs . 22 February 1974 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  12. News: Whitlam . Gough . Appointments . 9 December 2022 . Prime Minister of Australia . 18 February 1974 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  13. News: Diplomats moved. The Canberra Times. 3. 13 January 1978. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. National Library of Australia.
  14. News: Peacock . Andrew . Diplomatic appointments . 9 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 12 January 1978 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  15. News: High Commissioner to PNG. The Canberra Times. 3. 7 April 1981. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. National Library of Australia.
  16. News: Street . Tony . High commissioner to Papua New Guinea . 9 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 6 April 1981 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  17. News: PNG Appointment . The Canberra Times . Canberra, Australian Capital Territory . 10 September 1984 . 9 December 2022 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  18. News: Bowen . Lionel . Diplomatic appointment - Papua New Guinea . 9 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 9 September 1984 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  19. News: Hayden . Bill . Diplomatic appointment - Papua New Guinea . 9 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 11 September 1987 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  20. News: Appointment . The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory . 13 April 1989 . 9 December 2022 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  21. News: Evans . Gareth . Diplomatic appointment: Papua New Guinea . 9 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 12 April 1989 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  22. News: Evans . Gareth . Diplomatic appointment: Papua New Guinea . 9 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 2 March 1993 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  23. Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea. Australian Government. 9 December 1995. https://web.archive.org/web/20120918014955/http://www.dfat.gov.au/archive/releases_old/minfor/m146.html. 18 September 2012. Gareth. Evans. Gareth Evans (politician).
  24. Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea. https://web.archive.org/web/20140212024249/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/1999/fa052_99.html. 12 February 2014. 19 May 1999. Alexander. Downer. Alexander Downer. Australian Government.
  25. Web site: Mr Nicholas Warner - High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade . 9 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20020602154944/http://www.dfat.gov.au:80/homs/pg.html . 2 June 2002.
  26. Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner to PNG. https://web.archive.org/web/20140212020534/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2002/fa142_02.html. 12 February 2014. Alexander. Downer. Alexander Downer. 2 October 2002. Australian Government.
  27. Web site: Mr Michael Potts - High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea . Australian Heads of Mission . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade . 9 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20050720062904/https://www.dfat.gov.au/homs/pg.html . 20 July 2005.
  28. News: Marshall. Steve. Moraitis appointed High Commissioner to PNG. https://web.archive.org/web/20150131021447/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-11-23/moraitis-appointed-high-commissioner-to-png/1317286. 31 January 2015. ABC News (Australia). 26 November 2006.
  29. News: Downer . Alexander . Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner To Papua New Guinea . 9 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 23 November 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120324182921/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2006/fa130_06.html . 24 March 2012 . Media Release.
  30. Web site: Mr Chris Moraitis - High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea . Australian Heads of Mission . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade . 9 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080729104556/http://www.dfat.gov.au//homs/pg.html . 29 July 2008.
  31. Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea. https://web.archive.org/web/20140327051259/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2010/fa-s100112a.html. 27 March 2014. 12 January 2010. Stephen. Smith. Australian Government. Stephen Smith (Australian politician).
  32. Radio National ABC Interview, 1 March 2013 reproduced at
  33. Web site: Mr Ian Kemish - High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea . Australian Heads of Mission . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade . 9 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130130043520/http://dfat.gov.au/homs/pg.html . 30 January 2013.
  34. High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea. 12 February 2013. Bob. Carr. Bob Carr. https://web.archive.org/web/20140211200915/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2013/bc_mr_130212.html. 11 February 2014 . Australian Government.
  35. Web site: Ms Deborah Stokes - High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea . Australian Heads of Mission . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade . 9 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140718070754/http://www.dfat.gov.au/homs/pg.html . 18 July 2014.
  36. Web site: Deputy Head of Mission to Papua New Guinea - Ms Bronte Moules . Australian Ambassadors and other representatives . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade . 9 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150814055252/http://dfat.gov.au/about-us/our-people/homs/Pages/deputy-head-of-mission-to-papua-new-guinea.aspx . 14 August 2015.
  37. High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea. 2 December 2015. Julie. Bishop. Julie Bishop . Australian Government. https://web.archive.org/web/20151212130223/http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2015/jb_mr_151202a.aspx. 12 December 2015.
  38. Web site: High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea - Mr Bruce Davis . Australian Ambassadors and other representatives . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade . 9 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170811230910/http://dfat.gov.au/about-us/our-people/homs/pages/high-commissioner-to-papua-new-guinea.aspx . 11 August 2017.
  39. High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea. 25 February 2020. Marise. Payne. Marise Payne . Australian Government. https://web.archive.org/web/20200303191014/https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/high-commissioner-papua-new-guinea. 3 March 2020.
  40. News: Willesee . Don . Establishment of Australian Consular office in Lae . 9 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 15 September 1974 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  41. News: NEW CONSUL NOW IN LAE . . Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. 29 October 1976 . 10 December 2022 . 11 . National Library of Australia.
  42. News: ENVOY TO VISIT . Papua New Guinea Post-courier . Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea . 18 September 1979 . 10 December 2022 . 17 . National Library of Australia.
  43. Web site: X DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR RELATIONS: Appointment of Honorary Consuls - first Australian appointment. Australian Year Book of International Law. AustLii. 24 June 2017. 1989.
  44. News: Evans . Gareth . Appointment of Australian Honorary Consul at Lae . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 24 July 1989 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  45. News: Evans . Gareth . Appointment of Honorary Consul: Lae . 9 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 12 September 1994 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  46. Web site: Change of the Guard. Weekly News Update. Lae Chamber of Commerce Inc.. 24 June 2017. 30 August 2013.
  47. News: McLay takes over as honorary consul for Australia. 24 June 2017. The National. 2 September 2013.
  48. Consul-General in Lae. 16 December 2016. Julie. Bishop. Australian Government. https://web.archive.org/web/20190327192658/https://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2016/jb_mr_161216a.aspx?w=tb1CaGpkPX%2FlS0K%2Bg9ZKEg%3D%3D. 27 March 2019.
  49. Web site: Consul-General in Lae, Papua New Guinea . Australian Ambassadors and other representatives . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade . 9 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170616231338/http://dfat.gov.au/about-us/our-people/homs/Pages/consul-general-in-lae-papua-new-guinea.aspx . 16 June 2017.
  50. Consul-General in Lae. 16 December 2020. Marise. Payne. Australian Government. https://web.archive.org/web/20210416132522/https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/consul-general-lae. 16 April 2021.

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