Papers, 1983-1984

Component identifier:

File 6

Content Summary:

The economic fortunes of Papua New Guinea considerably improved during 1983, owing to a revival in world economy, better prices for export items, higher production at the Bougainville mine, and generally effective economic management by the Government. Major activities of the Trade and Economic Relations Branch throughout 1984, however, were concerned with the Papua New Guinea / Australia aid relationship and responses to the Jackson Committee Report which recommended that future Australian aid should feature conditional elements.

Other significant topics in this file include: preparations for a Rice Supply Agreement with reliable source countries; tariff structure; import quotas; emergency relief following volcanic eruptions in Rabaul; the International Cocoa Agreement; Lome III policy development and negotiations; amendments to the Industry Assistance Board Bill; relief for border crossers from Indonesia; Australian funding of an annual independent review of the Papua New Guinea economy; a multilateral U.S.A. fisheries treaty; and Department financial assistance to the private sector. The file concludes with Wilkinson's imminent departure for Canberra at the end of his contract.

Signatories of letters in this file include Wilkinson, William Dihm, Paulias Matane, Phillip Cridge (Acting First Assistant Secretary, Trade and Economic Relations Branch), Rabbie Namaliu, Koiari Tarata (First Assistant Secretary, Macro Economic Policy Branch), and Paias Wingti (Deputy Prime Minister).

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were donated by Alan Wilkinson to the Library on 23 April 2004.

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