Papua New Guinea calls for Downer to stand down

PNG is once again faced with a sweeping and utterly groundless attack from Australia's pitbull Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and is outraged that PNG's rightful claim to sovereingty is dismissed as "as a smokescreen, meant to distract attention from corrupt and illegal behaviour."

The suggestion that "Deals for government contracts with big companies in back rooms, siphoning off money from trust funds, conspiring to settle fallacious compensation claims against the Government for millions of dollars" is commonplace in PNG is a disgraceful accusation.

PNG further notes that while Mr Downer speaks of the challenges created by the rapid population growth in the Pacific, which was not matched by economic opportunities - "Young people need to be given the opportunity to develop their potential," Australia remains reluctant to follow NZ's gracious example of allowing Pacific island workers to fill some rural labour jobs.

Downer is a disgrace to the diplomatic mission of his country and we call for his resignation.

Reply 1

lodzinski

14

Russia is eager to see the australian response to this.

Reply 2

Howard

OP

5

lodzinski

Russia is eager to see the australian response to this.

Russia ought not hold its breath.

Reply 3

lodzinski

14

Russia knows little of the political situation in PNG or of the validity of the claims made by Mr Downer - however, these are serious claims/statements, and Russia hopes that there is a sound basis for them.

Reply 4

Ethereal

19

The RSA doesn't think the MUN is the correct forum for this. Domestic governmental matters are not the concern of the MUN. The MUN is about international co-operation not demanding ministers of a government step down. The MUN would clog with threads like this if we all demanded the resignation of ministers we don't like in other countries' governments.

Reply 5

Ferrus

19

Bhutan suggests the Australians pay more respect to the rights of smaller nations, with an eye to safeguarding the country from similar conduct by India.

Reply 6

Howard

OP

5

Ethereal

The RSA doesn't think the MUN is the correct forum for this. Domestic governmental matters are not the concern of the MUN. The MUN is about international co-operation not demanding ministers of a government step down. The MUN would clog with threads like this if we all demanded the resignation of ministers we don't like in other countries' governments.