Envoy to PNG faces backlash over same-sex support

Australia’s new high commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Jon Philp, has sparked a religious furore just months into the job.

Australian High Commissioner to PNG Jon Philp, centre, with High Commission staff brandishing rainbow flags. Picture: Facebook

Australia’s new high commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Jon Philp, has sparked a religious furore just months into the job with a Facebook post calling for an end to homophobia in the country, where homosexuality is still illegal.

It prompted an avalanche of more than 560 comments, including many removed by high commission moderators for violating “hate speech” guidelines.

Some equated the Facebook item, marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia, with a push to overturn the nation’s laws and allow same-sex marriage.

They included the country’s Catholic Professional Society, which warned the overwhelmingly Christian nation faced “moral decay and damnation” from the promotion of same-sex unions. “We know same-sex ­activities are against PNG culture and Christian beliefs,” its president Paul Harricknen said, adding that promotion of changes “to these noble moral and legal values cannot be allowed in PNG”.

The short Facebook post, ­accompanied by a picture of Mr Philp and High Commission staff with rainbow flags, said Australia supported “the rights of all Papua New Guineans”.

“We believe all people are entitled to respect, dignity and protection from discrimination regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” it said.

One angry commenter said the country “has more pressing human rights issues than this issue of LBGT”.

“And neo-colonialism contributes to the overall social and economic crisis we are facing,” the comment said.

“Same-sex marriage is not for PNG. Please respect the sovereignty of the Independent State of PNG.”

Another said: “I as a Papua New Guinean don’t appreciate you meddling in our domestic ­affairs … you create more harm than good.”