Australia & Papua New Guinea Friends Working Together

Australia invests over $100 million per year in Papua New Guinea’s health sector, through bilateral, regional and global programs. 

Australia does so to support the Government of PNG’s efforts to improve the health of its citizens, in line with the PNG National Health Plan, by focusing on three health outcomes: 

• improved prevention, detection, and response to emerging and existing high burden communicable disease and health security threats 

• improved rural primary health care through stronger health systems, including through better use of PNG’s own financial and human resources. 

• integrated family planning, HIV, and sexual and reproductive health services. 

On this episode, we will hear from Australia’s Ambassador for Global Health, Dr Lucas de Toca and Professor William Pomat, Professor Moses Laman, and Dr Pamela Toliman from PNG IMR who discuss how PNG IMR is looking at health challenges across PNG, to develop practical solutions for improvements.

An educated population contributes to the economic and social development of a country.

In this episode, we hear from the AHC Education team about how Australia is working with PNG through the Partnerships for Improving Education (PIE) Program to improve access, equity and student learning outcomes in the country. Partnerships for Improving Education works with the National Department of Education to address limitations and challenges faced in early grade education and ensure more children attend school, including girls and children with disabilities.

On this month’s program, we hear about the ongoing commitment by the Australian Government to support Papua New Guinea in addressing climate change challenges.

Australia’s Climate Resilient Green Growth (CRGG) project in PNG has been running since 2019.

The project works with the Global Green Growth Institute and PNG’s provincial governments to integrate climate resilience in policies, plans, and budgets.

Integrating climate risk resilience into sector programs is a key element of Australia’s climate action internationally.

In PNG, Australia’s Transport Sector Support Program is working with national transport agencies to prioritise, design, and deliver climate resilient roads, bridges, and other transport infrastructure.

Australia has joined other development partners to support a new Country Package for Forests, Nature and Climate in PNG.

Australia’s Climate Change programs will align with this new initiative, which features funding contributions from France and the European Union, to support climate action and the preservation of PNG’s critical rainforest assets.

Gender inequality compounds the most pressing global development challenges. No country can meet its development goals without ensuring all its people have every opportunity to reach their full potential.

In this episode of AHC on Air, we focus on Gender Equality and the 20 Days of Human Rights Activism.

Internationally the campaign is recognised as 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, and kicks off on 25 November with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

We hear from Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality, Stephanie Copus Campbell and the UK’s Special Envoy on Gender Equality Alicia Herbert about the collaborative effort to advocate and achieve gender equality.

We also hear from Papua New Guinean human rights defenders Lilly Be’Soer, Sr Lorraine Garasu and Henry Hapen about the work they are doing in their communities.

It’s all about Indigenous businesses this October on AHC on Air!

In this edition we bring you stories from the 2023 World Indigenous Business Forum, here in Port Moresby as we speak to indigenous business owners which include Shanon Kingmartin-Lynch (Talwali Coffee), Shawn Andrews (SupplyAus) and  Associate Deputy Secretary with the Aboriginal Economic Development in the Victorian Government, Hans Bokelund who share their insight to growth opportunities for aspiring SMEs.

We also feature the founder of the PNG SME Awards, Andrew Runewary and PNG-Australia Partnership Women in SME Award recipient Alice Alu who shared their experiences in organising and participating at this year’s SME Awards. 

This edition of AHC on Air is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance and benefits of breastfeeding and how it contributes to the health and wellbeing of a child in the long term.

NAIDOC Week in Australia celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This month on AHC on Air, we provide an insight into Australian First Nations cultures speaking to First Nations representatives about the histories of some of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

We also spoke to Cameron Costello from the Queensland Tourism Industry Council about indigenous businesses and prospective trade relations with PNG.

This month’s episode of AHC on Air brings to you stories from the 38th PNG- Australia business Forum and Expo.

 We will hear from Australia’s Assistant Minister for Trade and Assistant Minister for Manufacturing, Senator the Hon. Tim Ayres, on the existing trade relationship between PNG and Australia.

We also spoke to the outgoing PNG Business Council President, Nuni Kulu, on the significance of the forum and how it contributes to the trade and economic aspirations of PNG and Australia.

In this edition, we speak to the Australian Chief of Army Lieutenant General, Simon Stuart about the significance of commemorating Anzac Day and the strong partnership between the Australian and PNG defence forces. We also feature the ongoing programs being implemented in the Kokoda Track region through Australia's Kokoda Initiative.

This edition, features representatives from Australia's partners promoting and advocating on the work done in communities as part of the National TB response program supported by the PNG-Australia Partnership.

The 2023 IWD theme is ' DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.' IWD 2023 recognises and celebrates the women and girls who are championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education.

In this episode we hear from three amazing women who are thriving in the Digital space.

AHC on Air is back in 2023!

In this January episode, we hear about Australian business investments in PNG and other activities supported under the Australia-PNG Economic Partnership.

This month’s program focuses on the issue of Climate Change and the ongoing commitment by the Australian Government to support PNG in addressing climate change challenges.

This month's edition focuses on the work done by members of the Transport Sector agencies Community of Practice on GEDSI. 

On this edition, we learn more about the Traditional and Contemporary music of Papua New Guinea and how both have changed over time.  We also feature Brisbane Based international didjeribone performers Adrian Tjupurrula Fabila and Jake Tjaka Fabila who visited Port Moresby and Buka.

In this edition, we speak to three passionate Papua New Guineans from the Law and Justice and Disability space who give us an insight into the work they are doing on Village Courts, Family and Sexual Violence and Disability Inclusion.

Immunisation is key to protecting yourself, your family and community from communicable diseases. This month’s edition of AHC on Air will focus on immunisation and how the Australian Government is working with the Government of Papua New Guinea and development partners to deliver immunisation programs.

Episode 17 - Anzac Day & Kokoda Initiative Program

Episode 16 - Education

AHC on Air - NBC

AHC on Air - NBC

Independence Day (16 September) is one of the most significant events on the PNG calendar. It is an opportunity for families and friends to come together to celebrate PNG’s independence, through the cultural and culinary specialties that PNG has to offer.

In this episode we feature Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp and Chef Julz Henao who joined staff volunteers from the High Commission to prepare local PNG dishes.  

AHC on Air - NBC

AHC on Air - Radio Maria

AHC on Air - NBC

AHC on Air - NBC 

AHC on Air - Radio Maria

AHC on Air - Radio Maria - Episode 11

AHC on Air - NBC

AHC on Air - NBC

AHC on Air - NBC

AHC on Air - NBC

AHC on Air - NBC

AHC on Air - NBC

AHC on Air - NBC

AHC on Air - NBC

AHC on Air - Radio Maria

AHC on Air - Radio Maria - NBC COVID-19 Talkback

AHC on Air - AUSMAT update - NBC Talkback show

NBC's Aileen Asi speaks to Mary Tankulu - Church Partnership Program Coordinator with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG under the PNG-Australia Partnership