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List of high commissioners of Australia to Papua New Guinea

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High Commissioner of Australia to Papua New Guinea
Incumbent
Jon Philp
since 25 February 2020
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
StyleHis Excellency
Reports toMinister for Foreign Affairs
ResidenceWaigani, Port Moresby
NominatorPrime Minister of Australia
AppointerGovernor General of Australia
Inaugural holderLes Johnson
(as High Commissioner for the Territory of Papua and New Guinea)
Formation1 December 1973
WebsiteAustralian 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.[1]

Posting history

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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.[2][3][4]

Lae consulate

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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.[5] 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.[6][7] 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.[1][8]

Heads of mission

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# Officeholder Title Term start date Term end date Time in office Notes
1 Les Johnson High Commissioner for Papua New Guinea 1 December 1973 (1973-12-01) 29 March 1974 (1974-03-29) 118 days [9][10][11]
2 Tom Critchley 29 March 1974 (1974-03-29) 16 September 1975 (1975-09-16) 3 years, 10 months [12][13][14]
High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea 16 September 1975 (1975-09-16) February 1978 (1978-02)
3 Gerry Nutter February 1978 (1978-02) May 1981 (1981-05) 3 years, 3 months [15][16]
4 Robert Birch May 1981 (1981-05) September 1984 (1984-09) 3 years, 4 months [17][18]
5 Michael Wilson September 1984 (1984-09) October 1987 (1987-10) 3 years, 1 month [19][20]
6 Lance Joseph October 1987 (1987-10) April 1989 (1989-04) 1 year, 6 months [21]
7 Allan Taylor April 1989 (1989-04) March 1993 (1993-03) 3 years, 11 months [22][23]
8 Bill Farmer March 1993 (1993-03) March 1996 (1996-03) 3 years [24]
9 David Irvine March 1996 (1996-03) September 1999 (1999-09) 3 years, 6 months [25]
10 Nick Warner September 1999 (1999-09) March 2003 (2003-03) 3 years, 6 months [26][27]
11 Michael Potts March 2003 (2003-03) December 2006 (2006-12) 3 years, 9 months [28][29]
12 Chris Moraitis December 2006 (2006-12) February 2010 (2010-02) 3 years, 2 months [30][31][32]
13 Ian Kemish February 2010 (2010-02) March 2013 (2013-03) 3 years, 1 month [33][34][35]
14 Deborah Stokes March 2013 (2013-03) August 2015 (2015-08) 2 years, 5 months [36][37]
− Bronte Moules (Acting) August 2015 (2015-08) December 2015 (2015-12) 4 months [38]
15 Bruce Davis 2 December 2015 (2015-12-02) 25 February 2020 (2020-02-25) 4 years, 85 days [39][40]
16 Jon Philp 25 February 2020 (2020-02-25) Incumbent 4 years, 272 days [41]

Consuls-general in Lae

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Name Start of term End of term References
Noel Ross Smith November 1974 25 October 1976 [6][42]
Eric Herbert Hanfield 25 October 1976 1978 [6][43]
Max Hughes (resident in Port Moresby) 1978 December 1981 [6][44]
Posting closed
Kevin Beamish (Honorary Consul) 24 July 1989 12 September 1994 [45][46]
Phil Franklin (Honorary Consul) 12 September 1994 August 2013 [47][48]
Alan McLay (Honorary Consul) August 2013 16 December 2016 [49]
Paul Murphy 16 December 2016 16 December 2020 [50][51]
Mark Foxe 16 December 2020 present [52]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Bishop, Julie (9 March 2017). "Opening of Lae Consulate-General" (Media release). Minister for Foreign Affairs. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  2. ^ Davidson, Gay (31 October 1973). "Dual role likely for top PNG official". The Canberra Times. p. 1.
  3. ^ CA 7733: Australian High Commission, Papua New Guinea [Port Moresby], National Archives of Australia, retrieved 15 April 2015
  4. ^ Whitlam, Gough (12 September 1975). "Independence of Papua New Guinea: establishment of diplomatic relations" (Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
  5. ^ Willesee, Don (17 April 1975). "Opening of Australian Consular Office in Lae" (Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
  6. ^ a b c d CA 8020: Australian Consulate, Lae [Papua New Guinea], National Archives of Australia, retrieved 24 June 2017
  7. ^ "Closure of Lae Consulate-General" (Media Release). Department of Foreign Affairs. 16 October 1981 – via ParlInfo.
  8. ^ "Australian Consulate-General in Lae gets down to business". DFAT. Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  9. ^ "PNG post". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. 7 November 1973. p. 3 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ Willesee, Don (30 November 1973). "Self-Government for Papua New Guinea" (Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
  11. ^ Willesee, Don (6 November 1973). "Appointment of High Commissioner of Papua New Guinea" (Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
  12. ^ "Envoy to PNG". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. 19 February 1974. p. 1 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "Appointment of High Commissioner on Papua New Guinea" (Media Release). Department of Foreign Affairs. 22 February 1974. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
  14. ^ Whitlam, Gough (18 February 1974). "Appointments" (Media Release). Prime Minister of Australia. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
  15. ^ "Diplomats moved". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. 13 January 1978. p. 3 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. ^ Peacock, Andrew (12 January 1978). "Diplomatic appointments" (Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
  17. ^ "High Commissioner to PNG". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. 7 April 1981. p. 3 – via National Library of Australia.
  18. ^ Street, Tony (6 April 1981). "High commissioner to Papua New Guinea" (Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
  19. ^ "PNG Appointment". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. 10 September 1984. p. 3. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  20. ^ Bowen, Lionel (9 September 1984). "Diplomatic appointment - Papua New Guinea" (Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
  21. ^ Hayden, Bill (11 September 1987). "Diplomatic appointment - Papua New Guinea" (Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
  22. ^ "Appointment". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. 13 April 1989. p. 3. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  23. ^ Evans, Gareth (12 April 1989). "Diplomatic appointment: Papua New Guinea" (Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
  24. ^ Evans, Gareth (2 March 1993). "Diplomatic appointment: Papua New Guinea" (Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
  25. ^ Evans, Gareth (9 December 1995). "Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012.
  26. ^ Downer, Alexander (19 May 1999). "Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014.
  27. ^ "Mr Nicholas Warner - High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Archived from the original on 2 June 2002. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  28. ^ Downer, Alexander (2 October 2002). "Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner to PNG" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014.
  29. ^ "Mr Michael Potts - High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea". Australian Heads of Mission. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Archived from the original on 20 July 2005. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  30. ^ Marshall, Steve (26 November 2006). "Moraitis appointed High Commissioner to PNG". ABC News (Australia). Archived from the original on 31 January 2015.
  31. ^ Downer, Alexander (23 November 2006). "Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner To Papua New Guinea". Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Archived from the original (Media Release) on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  32. ^ "Mr Chris Moraitis - High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea". Australian Heads of Mission. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Archived from the original on 29 July 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  33. ^ Smith, Stephen (12 January 2010). "Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 27 March 2014.
  34. ^ Radio National ABC Interview, 1 March 2013 reproduced at 2013 Valedictory interview: Ian Kemish bids PNG goodbye, archived from the original on 24 March 2013
  35. ^ "Mr Ian Kemish - High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea". Australian Heads of Mission. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  36. ^ Carr, Bob (12 February 2013). "High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 11 February 2014.
  37. ^ "Ms Deborah Stokes - High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea". Australian Heads of Mission. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  38. ^ "Deputy Head of Mission to Papua New Guinea - Ms Bronte Moules". Australian Ambassadors and other representatives. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  39. ^ Bishop, Julie (2 December 2015). "High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 12 December 2015.
  40. ^ "High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea - Mr Bruce Davis". Australian Ambassadors and other representatives. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  41. ^ Payne, Marise (25 February 2020). "High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020.
  42. ^ Willesee, Don (15 September 1974). "Establishment of Australian Consular office in Lae" (Media Release). ParlInfo: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  43. ^ "NEW CONSUL NOW IN LAE". Papua New Guinea Post-courier. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. 29 October 1976. p. 11. Retrieved 10 December 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  44. ^ "ENVOY TO VISIT". Papua New Guinea Post-courier. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. 18 September 1979. p. 17. Retrieved 10 December 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  45. ^ "X DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR RELATIONS: Appointment of Honorary Consuls - first Australian appointment" (PDF). Australian Year Book of International Law. AustLii. 1989. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  46. ^ Evans, Gareth (24 July 1989). "Appointment of Australian Honorary Consul at Lae" (Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government – via ParlInfo.
  47. ^ Evans, Gareth (12 September 1994). "Appointment of Honorary Consul: Lae" (Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
  48. ^ "Change of the Guard" (PDF). Weekly News Update. Lae Chamber of Commerce Inc. 30 August 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  49. ^ "McLay takes over as honorary consul for Australia". The National. 2 September 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  50. ^ Bishop, Julie (16 December 2016). "Consul-General in Lae" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019.
  51. ^ "Consul-General in Lae, Papua New Guinea". Australian Ambassadors and other representatives. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Archived from the original on 16 June 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  52. ^ Payne, Marise (16 December 2020). "Consul-General in Lae" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021.
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