The Australian Government has offered diplomatic representation in Papua New Guinea since the establishment of self-government for the Territory of Papua and New Guinea in December 1973. The Australian Government administrator in Papua New Guinea was retitled as High Commissioner, which was continued as a solely diplomatic post once PNG gained independence from 16 September 1975.[2][3][4]
On 18 April 1975, a consular office was opened in the city of Lae, which was later upgraded to a consulate-general from 16 September 1975 upon independence.[5] However, due to resource constraints in foreign affairs with the new Liberal/National government of Malcolm Fraser, the post was scaled down from late 1978, with the responsibilities of the consulate passed to the Deputy High Commissioner in Port Moresby, Max Hughes, and was completely closed down in December 1981.[6][7] The post remained closed until the appointment and opening of an Honorary Consulate on 24 July 1989, which lasted until the reopening of the Consulate-General in February 2017 as part of a significant expansion of Australia's global diplomatic presence.[1][8]
^ abBishop, Julie (9 March 2017). "Opening of Lae Consulate-General"(Media release). Minister for Foreign Affairs. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
^Willesee, Don (17 April 1975). "Opening of Australian Consular Office in Lae"(Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
^"PNG post". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. 7 November 1973. p. 3 – via National Library of Australia.
^Willesee, Don (30 November 1973). "Self-Government for Papua New Guinea"(Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
^Whitlam, Gough (18 February 1974). "Appointments"(Media Release). Prime Minister of Australia. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
^"Diplomats moved". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. 13 January 1978. p. 3 – via National Library of Australia.
^Peacock, Andrew (12 January 1978). "Diplomatic appointments"(Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
^"High Commissioner to PNG". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. 7 April 1981. p. 3 – via National Library of Australia.
^Street, Tony (6 April 1981). "High commissioner to Papua New Guinea"(Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
^"PNG Appointment". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. 10 September 1984. p. 3. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^Bowen, Lionel (9 September 1984). "Diplomatic appointment - Papua New Guinea"(Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
^Hayden, Bill (11 September 1987). "Diplomatic appointment - Papua New Guinea"(Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
^"Appointment". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. 13 April 1989. p. 3. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^Evans, Gareth (12 April 1989). "Diplomatic appointment: Papua New Guinea"(Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
^Evans, Gareth (2 March 1993). "Diplomatic appointment: Papua New Guinea"(Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
^"ENVOY TO VISIT". Papua New Guinea Post-courier. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. 18 September 1979. p. 17. Retrieved 10 December 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^Evans, Gareth (12 September 1994). "Appointment of Honorary Consul: Lae"(Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ParlInfo.
^"Change of the Guard"(PDF). Weekly News Update. Lae Chamber of Commerce Inc. 30 August 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2017.