Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Richard Marles MP, joined Defence Minister the Win Bakri Daki MP and Chief of the Defence Force, Major General Mark Goina opened the Taurama Barracks Chapel.
The redeveloped Chapel is an important milestone for the base, for the local community, and for Papua New Guinea and Australia’s enduring partnership.
“In Australia the chapels on our bases are places of prayer, reflection, faith and friendship, open to all and welcoming all. I can see the same spirit infuse Taurama Barracks Chapel today” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
The Chapel was remediated through the long-standing PNG-Australia Defense Cooperation Program and is a demonstration of Australia’s ongoing support to PNG Defense infrastructure priorities, both big and small.
It complements the broader Australia-PNG Churches Partnership and builds on decades of close relationships between our respective faith communities. Australia’s relationship with PNG is unique and profoundly important to us.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the close ties between the PNG Defense Force and the Australian Defense Force. “May this Chapel serve to strengthen the partnership and fellowship between the Defense Forces of Australia and PNG” said the Deputy Prime Minister.