Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addresses the Papua New Guinea Parliament in Port Moresby on January 12, 2023. Photo: ANDREW KUTAN/AFP
A Papua New Guinea MP has criticised the just-completed visit of the Australian prime minister, saying important, challenging issues facing PNG were not addressed appropriately.
Anthony Albanese visited Port Moresby at the end of last week during which he spoke to the national parliament.
The Post Courier reports former PNG prime minister Peter O'Neill saying real challenges were overlooked, including around the economy, during the trip.
He said it was also disappointing to see the PNG Government pushing "the China agenda" during Albanese's visit.
"Best friends are not supposed to be playing funny games with each other. We are known for standing together in good and tough times," O'Neill said.
"We welcome the visit of the Prime Minister of Australia to our country. But it was disappointing to see the PNG government pushing the China agenda during the Australian PM's visit in an attempt to gain more support from China.
"… the economy is heading towards recession, very high inflation and interest and unemployment rates rising adding to already low business confidence and massive unbudgeted government spending riddled with corruption that were not addressed amicably.
"These are all huge concerns to all Papua New Guineans," he said.
O'Neill also said it was disappointing that Albanese chose to disregard PNG's 2022 "fraudulent elections" with almost 100 seats out of 118 in dispute before the Courts.
"It appears that the Australian government continues to support a fake government in PNG with direct budget support rather than divert funding to improve governance and security in the country.
"All we seem to be getting is superficial projects like labour mobility and rugby (league)."
Peter O'Neill Photo: Supplied