SYDNEY — Papua New Guinea has witnessed an internet backlash over the fee to taxpayers of round 30 officers touring to London for the coronation of King Charles, with the governor common’s workplace denying media studies the invoice was shut $1 million.
Media and on-line news websites in PNG, a Pacific island member of the Commonwealth, have been working scorching with insults and criticism of the price of journey since Saturday’s coronation in Westminster Abbey, with many saying the cash would have been higher spent on hospitals.
“Insane number of delegates for overseas trips, for so called meetings, yet no funds for basic human rights services,” wrote Esther Kila on the PNG Post Courier web site.
In an announcement, Government House official secretary Bill Toraso denied media studies the governor common’s workplace had spent 3 million kina ($825,000), however confirmed to Reuters 10 of its workers had travelled to London, along with 10 company.
This was along with the governor common, Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae, his spouse and Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko.
Whenever the governor common travelled there have been at all times 10 workers, he stated, together with a valet, lady-in-waiting and two protocol officers.
“Everybody is included to ensure the governor general doesn’t embarrass the country,” Toraso stated by phone from London.
Security and a automotive had been supplied by Buckingham Palace.
The governor common’s delegation value was lower than half one million kina, he stated, noting Australia had supplied transport on a army plane once they went to the Queen’s funeral.
PNG values its “close and historical ties we as a nation share with the monarch, as our head of state,” he stated.
Tkatchenko stated he was requested by Prime Minister James Marape to attend the coronation, and his invitation from Buckingham Palace had included a partner and he had taken his daughter in her place.
Two workers travelled to London, the place he held conferences with British ministers. “It was a very productive and historical visit,” he stated.
Driving up prices was the power of the pound, price four-times the kina, he added.
Five PNG troopers traveled to participate within the army parade.
The British High Commission in Port Moresby was monitoring the general public backlash, an official stated. — Reuters
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
