An international gathering of political leaders, academics, business and community representatives met at Deakin University in Geelong on 12 and 13 April to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing contemporary Papua New Guinea.

Covering the PNG: Securing a Prosperous Future symposium was Mr Jeffery Elapa, a reporter from PNG's number one selling newspaper, The National.

Mr Elapa took the opportunity to interview the co-host of the event, Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs and Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Richard Marles. Mr Elapa also participated in a round table discussion on "Reporting In, And On, PNG" with Sean Dorney of The ABC, Rowan Callick of The Australian, Jo Chandler of The Age and Tony Walker of the Australian Financial Review.

Mr Elapa's visit was funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as part of the International Media Visit program.