John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator Fierravanti-Wells. Can the minister inform the Senate how the coalition government is using its overseas development assistance to help manage and protect the Kokoda Track?

Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Williams for this question. This is an important question in the last sitting week before Anzac Day, and of course this year we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign. Australia plays a key role in protecting and preserving the Kokoda Track region, through our Kokoda Initiative. This is an initiative in partnership with the government of Papua New Guinea. We have committed $25 million, over the next five years to 2020, to keep the track open and safe.

I would like to share with the Senate some of the achievements of the Kokoda Initiative. We have provided upgrades to road links, to the Kokoda air strip and to the VHF radio network covering the track. We have also provided support for the Kokoda Track Authority, its track maintenance activities and a reinvigorated ranger program. We have funded 39 village health volunteers, who provide basic health services to 91 villages; this has benefited over 15,000 people. We have administered over 5,000 vaccines to children under the age of five. We have provided antenatal checks to more than 1,200 mothers. We have trained 88 elementary schoolteachers and primary schoolteachers, which has improved learning outcomes for over 1,900 students. The achievements through this partnership have also built or renovated 15 double classrooms, 16 teacher's houses, five health posts and 35 water and sanitation facilities. All of these things have enhanced the quality and life of local communities across a whole range of areas—environmental, cultural, military heritage, health and education— (Time expired)

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Williams, a supplementary question.

John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. I thank the minister. Can the minister explain why there is a need to assist PNG in maintaining and improving the Kokoda Track region?

Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Papua New Guinea is not only our closest neighbour; we also share a long and very close history. Let's not forget that 650 Australians lost their lives during the Kokoda campaign in 1942, and this number would have been much larger had it not been for the people of Papua New Guinea. Who can forget that iconic photograph of the Australian soldier being guided by a fuzzy wuzzy angel? We want to ensure that the 75th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign is commemorated properly—through special ceremonies, through publications, through different development projects along the track and through the development of a military heritage strategy. We have assisted the government of Papua New Guinea, the National Museum and art gallery and the conservation and environment protection authority to work with local communities. (Time expired)

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you. Senator Williams, a final supplementary question.

John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

How does Australia benefit from keeping the Kokoda Track open and accessible?

Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thousands of Australian trekkers do the 96-kilometre trek every year. In this 75th anniversary year, many more trekkers are expected to visit and to commemorate this important campaign. By keeping the track safe and open, we are able to also help protect the region's heritage values. In so doing, we are honouring the memory of the 650 men and boys who lost their lives on the track, but we are also honouring the camaraderie and the friendship that exists between our two countries. They came to our aid when we needed them most, and so it is only fitting that, at this time, we honour that shared history and the common bonds that bind our two countries together. The Kokoda Initiative ensures that this place of national significance will be preserved for years to come.

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.