Today I announce the appointment of Mr Mark Foxe as Australia's next Consul-General in Lae, Papua New Guinea.
Australia and Papua New Guinea enjoy a long history of close cooperation underpinned by shared values, community links and common strategic and economic interests. On 5 August 2020, our Prime Ministers signed a Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership to strengthen cooperation in security, bilateral trade and investment, and enhance institutional, development and regional collaboration.
As the main urban and commercial hub in northern Papua New Guinea, Lae is home to many long-term Australian residents and the site of significant Australian investment, including the ANGAU Hospital redevelopment. Australian Defence Force and Australian Federal Police officers based in Lae provide support, training and work in partnership with PNG counterparts, locally.
The Lae War Cemetery memorialises Australian and Papua New Guinean soldiers killed in World War II. Managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the cemetery holds the remains of over 2,800 soldiers.
The Consulate-General plays an important role in advancing Australia's trade, commercial and development interests, while also supporting consular objectives.
Mr Foxe most recently served as Director of International Engagement, Joint Agency Task Force, Operation Sovereign Borders, Department of Home Affairs. He has previously served overseas in Port Moresby, Jakarta, Port Vila, Dili and Phnom Penh. In Australia he has served with DFAT as Director Overseas Security Training Section and has undertaken various roles in the ADF.
I thank outgoing Consul-General Paul Murphy for his contributions to advancing Australia's interests in Lae since 2017.
