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Australian High Commission (AHC ) on Air! In this episode, we focus on the Digital Transformation Summit and Pacific Cyber Week which was held in Port Moresby. Hosted by the Government of Papua New Guinea, the Summit brought together governments, development partners, industry and civil society to advance practical digital priorities.  Pacific Cyber Week, co-convened by Papua New Guinea, Australia and the United States with Pacific partners, ran alongside the Summit, focusing on cyber security, artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, online safety and cybercrime.

Australian High Commission (AHC) on Air! In this episode, we focus on the commemoration of Anzac Day.  For the past 110 years, communities have gathered in quiet reflection at sites of historic military significance to commemorate Anzac Day. In Papua New Guinea, dawn services were held across the country, honouring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and reaffirmed the enduring bonds forged through shared history and service. We will hear from; Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, H.E Ewen McDonald, speaking at this year’s Anzac Day dawn service at the Bomana War Cemetery. Australian Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister for Veterans' Affairs the Honorable Matt Keogh MP, who was in the country recently and also participated in the Anzac Day dawn service at Isurava along the Kokoda Track. PNG Deputy Prime Minister and local MP, Hon. John Rosso, who was at the Lae War Cemetery in Morobe Provice which also hosted an Anzac Day dawn service to honor over 2,800 Commonwealth soldiers buried there, along with PNG local forces.   And finally, some personal reflections from the families who came to honor their relatives who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Australian High Commission (AHC) on Air! In this episode, we will hear about the Australia Awards Scholarship program. We will hear from Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor, Madeleine Moss who talk about her role and about the program. We will also hear testimonies from a few Australia Awards alumni about their experiences. If you have questions and want to know more about the program, then visit www.australiaawardspng.org to enquire.

Australian High Commission (AHC) on Air! On this episode, we focus on Australia Day held on the 26th January, and in the second half of the episode we hear more from our docuseries Kin and Kai that airs this month on TV. We hear from from Australian high Commissioner to Papua New Guinea Ewen McDonald who gives us some background to Australia day. Australia’s Prime Minster Anthony Albanese welcomed new Australian citizens in his Australia Day speech. To wrap up our coverage of Australia Day we’re going to to have some fun with the many phrases and words you'll only hear in Australia.

On this month’s program we feature the annual Prime Minister’s 13 match between Australia and Papua New Guinea and the official announcement of the name of PNG's NRL team that will join the National Rugby League competition in 2028.  The Prime Minister’s 13 highlights the strong partnership between Australia and PNG – both on and off the sporting field.    Since the first PM’s 13 match played in Port Moresby in 2005, the annual fixture continues to gain popularity and stature amongst the communities in Papua New Guinea.     Apart from the entertaining match on game day, the annual event also provides an avenue to raise awareness around healthy living, gender-based violence other cross-cutting issues in local communities.  2025 marked the 20th anniversary of the Prime Minister’s XIII, whilst also celebrating Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary.

Following three weeks of intensive training and high-end warfighting scenarios across Australia, and complex training exercises in Papua New Guinea, Exercise Talisman Sabre has come to a close. .Talisman Sabre, which featured over 40,000 military personnel in this year's iteration, is the largest bilateral combined training activity conducted between the Australian Defence Force and the United States Armed Forces. This month's AHC on Air program features the exercise, with interviews from Australian Defence Force Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, Deputy Chief of PNGDF, Brigadier General Opa Lari Opa and Minister for Defence, Hon. Dr Billy Joseph

On the show this month, we feature the Papua New Guinea and Australia Police Partnership and Australia’s Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI).  We had the pleasure of speaking to Papua New Guinea -Australia Policing Partnership Commander, AFP Assistant Commissioner, Jamie Strauss.   We also had a chat with Inspector David Terry from the Royal PNG Constabulary on this great Pacific Policing Initiative.

Australia is an integral member of the Pacific community; we share cultural bonds and affinities. For this episode of AHC On air we explore those ties between our two nations.    This week Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Hon Pat Conroy MP visited PNG, alongside representatives from the Australian Rugby League Commission and National Rugby League (NRL).    The Minister met with key stakeholders to reaffirm Australia’s commitment to developing rugby league pathways and establishing a competitive and sustainable PNG NRL franchise for entry into the NRL competition by 2028.  We also feature the Yumi Stap Wantaim Film Festival, a showcase which provided incredible opportunity for talented local storytellers to create PNG-made films in the 72 hours Film challenge.  All these and more on this month's AHC on Air.

Australia and Papua New Guinea have a longstanding history of working side by side in various areas, a partnership that continues to thrive as PNG prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary as a sovereign nation.  On the eve of PNG’s 50 independence anniversary, Australia has launched its Yumi Stap Wantaim – Side by Side, Step By Step campaign, a celebration of PNG's independence and a tribute to the close relationship between Australia and PNG.    The campaign will include a series of high-profile events throughout this year, showcasing the partnership through education, sports, film, music, dance, art, and food.

Australia and Papua New Guinea’s security partnership is grounded in the strategic trust both our countries share as near neighbours, close partners and friends.  Australia and Papua New Guinea share an interest in a safe, stable, peaceful, and prosperous Pacific and have a proud history of working together to progress this vision.  Since signing the Australia – Papua New Guinea Bilateral Security Agreement in December 2023, Australia has responded quickly to support Papua New Guinea’s defence and internal security priorities as its security partner of choice.

Australia and Papua New Guinea have a longstanding history of working side by side in various areas, a partnership that continues to thrive as PNG prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary as a sovereign nation. Achieving Gender Equality, Women’s empowerment and Social Inclusion has always been  a shared vision for both Australian and Papua New Guinea. As part of the effort to achieve this goal, Australia continues to support the Government of PNG as it works alongside NGOs, women's groups and churches to promote the rights of women and girls in PNG.  This month, both our countries celebrated International Women's Day and National Women’s Day, with positive new developments in the Gender space that will pave way for greater Gender Equality in PNG.

Australia and PNG share a long history of cooperation in education pre and post independence. High quality education is a long-term commitment, and Australia has been working in partnership with the National Department of Education and the Department of High Education, Research, Science and Technology and many universities, institutions and schools around the country to support PNG’s priorities in this sector. On this program, we find out more about Bilum Books – teaching and learning resources for PNG Schools and hear from Ms Sara White who is one of three Directors of Bilum Books. Also, on the program we speak to Dr Joseph Lingawa, Dean of Faculty of Education at the Divine Word University about his involvement in the Teacher upgrading program. And we find out more about the Early Childhood Education and Care or (ECEC) pilot program.

Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) share a warm, broad-ranging relationship of deep historical and contemporary importance to both countries. Our modern partnership is underpinned by joint commitments to the PNG–Australia Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (2020), and most recently the Bilateral Security Agreement (2023), which provide a framework for closer security relations. PNG is Australia's largest development partner, with an estimated 637.4 million-dollar in Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding between 2024-25 financial year. This support by the Australian Government is not only provided at the national and sub-national levels but right down to the community and grassroot settings. On this month’s program, we will learn more about the various community-based grant programs currently being delivered through the PNG-Australia Partnership.

Welcome to the final edition of AHC on Air for the year, on deepening PNG and Australia’s connection through Rugby League. On this program we feature the recent announcement by the Australian Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese, and Prime Minister James Marape on the news that PNG will field an NRL team in 2028. Also, on the program we speak to Ms Cathy Neap, NRL in PNG Manager on the PNG NRL Bid Academy’s Life skills program that was held recently in Port Moresby.

Australia is committed to supporting PNG improve health service delivery to Papua New Guineans. The new Australia-funded Metoreia Urban Health Centre, realised in partnership with the Motu Koita Assembly, NCD Provincial Health Authority, National Department of Health, National Capital District Commission and United Church, will improve health services for around 40, 000 people living in Poreporena, surrounding Motu Koita villages and Port Moresby communities. Also, on the program we feature the launch of the Community Justice Fund, and we speak to the Head of Santos Foundation and Chair of Bel is PNG Ms Jean Martin, who gives us an insight of the Bel Isi Program and services they provide.