PACIFIC/AUSTRALIA: Call for Pacific Island Affairs Ministry to be Re-introduced

AUSTRALIA: Call for Pacific Island Affairs Ministry to be re-introduced

A recent call on Australia by the Chairman of Papua New Guinea's largest 
resource company, says Australia should pay more attention to the Pacific by 
establishing a voice for the region in Cabinet. That's now being backed up by 
the last man to hold the position of Minister of Pacific Island Affairs. 
Gordon Bilney, who was the minister until the post was abolished in 1996, 
agrees with Trevor Kennedy, Chairman of Oil Search, that Pacific issues need 
much more attention from Canberra. He says the best way to do this would be 
to reinstitute the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs. 

To listen:
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/pacbeat/stories/m657119.asx 


Presenter/Interviewer: Bruce Hill 
Speakers: Gordon Bilney, Former Australian Minister of Pacific Island Affairs 

24/07/2003 



SOURCE: Pacific Beat, Radio Australia