By Trevor Freestone

Dear Julia,

I have attempted to draw attention to the serious situation in Papua New Guinea to Kevin Rudd as Foreign Affairs Minister and Tony Abbott as Leader of the Opposition. Their staff thank me for my communication and things end there.

The situation is so serious that Australia needs to become aware of what is happening and develop a plan that will be of benefit both to Papua New Guinea and Australia.

The main concerns are Corruption, Mining and Logging abuses, (including deep sea waste disposal of mine waste into the ocean close to Australian territorial waters), Lack of effective aid by Ausaid (one report states that 50% of this aid is used in administration, some just disappears and a small amount reaches its objective. However I cannot confirm this), Lack of sufficient policing to stop crime, and Poor health services to distant rural communities. Etc Etc the list goes on and on.

Your staff can bring you up to date by referring to the following web sites: Keith Jackson's PNG Attitude (a web site where both Australian and Papua New Guineans comment on what is wrong and suggest action that is needed),  ActnowPNG.org (a web site developed by educated Papua New Guineans to fight for a better PNG), Mine Watch on face book (a site exposing bad mining practices).

By searching the Web you can find many examples of bad practices in PNG for example Google Amoi village png and you will see photos and details of how a logging company has ignored the conditions of its contract and has destroyed the villager's water supplies and Sago resources, in spite of the villagers owning the land. One has to ask how is it they were able to get away with this?

The question I would like to ask you is why do both sides of Parliament choose to ignore most of what is happening in PNG? How can a simple person such as myself get you to understand that the people in rural areas just want the nonsence to stop? They can see the potential their country has if only the corruption and mismanagement would stop. Why doesn't your party put pressure on the PNG Government to take the situation seriously?

Trevor Freestone