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

I thank Senator Moore for the question. The Australian government remains committed to helping Papua New Guinea manage its health challenges, including its response to HIV. We are increasing our focus on assisting the government of PNG to sustainably deliver health and HIV services using its own resources and systems. We are supporting the government of PNG to develop its new HIV strategy and we are also working with other funding partners to support PNG to deliver HIV services. We are in the process of changing how we provide Australian aid to meet current and emerging health challenges and to ensure our funding remains effective. There will be new investments, including funding for NGOs, which will commence in 2017-18 and NGOs will remain key partners for health and HIV programs.

Senator Moore, there has been some misinformation that was put into the press and this has caused some consternation as far as some of the NGOs have been concerned. It has been raised directly with us.