Aussie diplomat departs PNG post

PORT MORESBY – Australia’s high commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Deborah Stokes, has unexpectedly departed the senior diplomatic post.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed the departure, saying: “Ms Stokes completed her posting in mid-July and will be taking up another overseas assignment.

“Deputy high commissioner Bronte Moules is currently acting high commissioner.”

Stokes began her tenure in March 2013.

One of the few official notifications of her departure was a tweet late last week from the high commission’s account, now bearing her successor’s name, that read: “Today I farewell PNG taking with me many fond memories of this remarkable country. Lukim yu bihain.”

Her replacement, Moules, is a career diplomat with DFAT, having served most recently as head of mission at the Australian embassy in Myanmar.

She has also served in Bangkok, New Delhi and at Australia’s mission to the United Nations in New York.

The departure of Stokes comes after months of mixed relations between PNG and its former colonial ruler.

In May’s federal budget, and on the eve of local elections in PNG, Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop announced plans to establish a diplomatic mission in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, which is also due to vote on its independence from PNG within the next five years.

The move outraged PNG prime minister Peter O’Neill, who said he was “shocked” to learn of Australia’s plans without consultation. Foreign minister Rimbink Pato called the move “outrageous” and “mischievous”.

In a sharp response, PNG banned Australians from travelling to Bougainville, which has since been lifted.

In May, Bishop denied there had been a failure to consult, saying the matter was discussed with PNG last year and formally communicated before the budget.

But in a Senate estimates hearing in June, DFAT chief Peter Varghese admitted the PNG government had not been consulted.

“Regrettably there was a miscommunication on this. It was our intention, certainly the Foreign Minister’s intention that advice of our interest in opening or expanding our presence in Buka should’ve been conveyed to the government of Papua New Guinea in advance of the budget,” Varghese said.

According to DFAT, Australia’s aid to PNG in 2015-16 is estimated to be $477.3 million, with approximately $50 million earmarked for the Bougainville government.

PNG celebrates the 40th anniversary of independence from its southern neighbour in September.