PNG not bothered by Australian aid pullout

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare is confident that his country can do away with Australian aid should Canberra act on its threat to withdraw aid to PNG. “If they are going to threaten us to withdraw the money, by all means. We’ve got a treaty which eventually will fade out the Australian aid program, we can bring it much closer,” Somare said. “The Australian Government underestimates our ability, the ability of Papua New Guineans, to be able to make a decision,” he added. (Source: PNG can survive without Australian aid: Somare/Australian Broadcasting Corp.)