Report to Queensland Parliament Mr Stephen Andrew MP Member for Mirani

Queensland Parliamentary Delegation to 24th June - 5th July 2019

1 Honourable Members,

I table this report for the information of the House on behalf of the Queensland Parliamentary Delegation to Vanuatu.

The delegation comprised myself, the Member for Mirani, Mr Stephen Andrew MP, the Honourable Speaker of the House Mr Curtis Pitt and Mr George Hasanakos, Executive Officer, Office of the Speaker.

This delegation was sent to renew the twinning arrangements between both Queensland and Vanuatu Parliaments; and to reunite Mr Stephen Andrew MP with his ancestral home of Ambae Island, devastated by the Monaro Volcano to best understand how to help and work with the displaced Communities.

Mr Stephen Andrew MP Member for Mirani Queensland Legislative Assembly

2 Purpose of the Travel

The primary purpose of this travel was to visit the Vanuatu Parliament and sign a new twinning agreement between the Queensland Parliament and the National .

However the travel also included a range of other events which supported the relationship between Queensland and Vanuatu.

This included a trip to Ambae, the ancestral home of the Stephen Andrew MP who is the first Member of the Queensland Parliament of South Sea Islander heritage.

This bond was to strengthen the relationship between Queensland and Vanuatu. I thank the Honourable Member for his assistance in the trip and for his work in supporting closer relations between Queensland and Vanuatu.

The trip was held between 24 June and the 5 August 2019.

The itinerary is enclosed at Attachment A .

The full details of events on the trip are set out in Attachment B.

Accompanying persons I was accompanied by The Honourable Speaker Curtis Pitt, up until late afternoon on Tuesday 25 June. Mr George Hasanakos, Executive Officer. Alikson Vira MP for Ambae.

3 Benefits obtained from this travel

The benefits of the trip to Vanuatu are set out below in relation to each of the events attended.

The benefits of the travel included; • Develop closer ties with the Vanuatu Parliament, Speaker Saimon and other Vanuatu Parliamentarians. • Developing closer ties with the highest levels of the Vanuatu Government • Honouring the links of Queensland’s South Sea Islander Community to Vanuatu • Strengthening relationships with key Vanuatu Parliament personnel. • Learning about the development needs of the Vanuatu Parliament as an institution • Conveying the goodwill of the Queensland Parliament to residents of the Island of Ambae who have experienced two full evacuations over the last two years due to earthquakes • Representation of the Queensland Parliament in Commonwealth Parliamentary Association activity. • Gain a greater awareness of political issues in Vanuatu • Understanding of Customs and Village Values • Perusing the conversation concerning enslaved members of Certain Villages within current communities and their Australian Descendants. • Inspection and fact gathering to support the Monaro Volcano disaster. • Working with Foreign / Domestic Ministers to provide alignment to better help and understand both Monaro Victims to provide future work and agricultural opportunities both within Vanuatu and Australia. • Meet with the Council of Chiefs regarding cultural programs for Australian South Sea Islanders and what their influence is regarding modern Vanuatu Parliament and how this is involved in the overall decision making process.

The basis of the reporting requirement for this travel is detailed at Attachment C.

4 Attachment A - Travel itinerary MONDAY 24 JUNE 2019 Time Information and people attending 10:40am (AEST) Depart Brisbane International Airport (Duration: 2h 40m)

Hon. Curtis Pitt MP Mr Stephen Andrew MP Mr George Hasanakos 2:20pm (VUT) Arrive Bauerfield International Airport, Port Vila, Vanuatu. 2:25pm Welcome reception Venue: Bauerfield International Airport, Port Vila, Vanuatu

2:50pm Travel to Hotel 3:05pm Check into Hotel 3:45pm Travel to Office of Vanuatu President 4:00pm Meeting with President of Vanuatu, His Excellency

Venue: Office of the Vanuatu President, Port Vila 5:00pm Travel to Hotel 5:50pm Travel to Blue Marlin Restaurant 6:00pm Dinner with the Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu HE Jenny Da Rin

Venue: Blue Marlin Restaurant, Numbatu, Port Vila

8:30pm Travel to Hotel TUESDAY 25 JUNE 2019 6:30am Travel to Bauerfield Domestic Airport, Port Vila 7:30am Depart Bauerfield Domestic Airport, Port Vila 8:45am Arrive Longana Airport, East Ambae 8:50am Travel and visit Ambae Communities People Present; Alikson Vira, Chief Remy, Jameson Bani

10:00am Met by the East Ambae Communities Participated in tribal welcome and also made our way to Wahlariki 11:30am Participate in Family gatherings and how the My Great- Great Grandmother was stolen from the beach whilst gathering water and was given the title of Chief in that area. This was followed by a lunch and speech in the Chiefs Nukamal.

5 3:00pm Depart Longana Airport, East Ambae 3:30pm Arrive Walaha Airport, West Ambae 3:30pm Meeting with local residents 4:00pm Depart Walaha Airport, West Ambae Stephen Andrew leaves delegation and remains on West Ambae with Jamison Bani and Chief Remy 4:15pm Arrive to West Ambae Saralakumbu Village to meet returned People after volcanic eruption Chief Ceremony with Village and also checking out the damage, gardens and where our Family came from, we also discussed work prospects and what actually happened in Queensland many Chiefs were present and were concerned about their future and what would be needed to be done. 8:30pm Special village dinner at West Ambae Saralakumbu Village to meet with local Chiefs, Councilors.

Wednesday 26 th June

6 Traveled around Ambae and inspected agriculture practice, inspected road damage and bridge washouts. We visited many small communities, schools and Churches. We stopped and spoke to Elders and dropped of supplies and People where needed. Thursday 27 th June Travel to Espirto Santo Santo-Pekoa International Airport and onto Luganville. Travelled to meet with the displaced refugees from Ambae and the recent Volcano Eruption. Spoke to Elders and Chiefs and also Woman in the Villages, we delivered Sanitary napkins, undergarments and clothes to the Woman, these were kindly supplied by a Sarina Ladies Group and were well received. Time was spent looking at shanty housing and discussing food and relocation issues and costs, travel restrictions and ongoing hardship, due to relocation. Friday 28 th June Meet with the Vuigelato People from the Highlands of Ambae, travel to Hog Harbour and Bambua to see the Children that are now boarding at school and also meet up with the Elders to speak about how their income has been lost through the ashes of the volcano concerning Kava and raw produce. Met with Medical Santo who have treated 11,000 People during May 2019.

Saturday 29 th June Travel to Bauerfield Domestic Airport, Port Vila. Meet with my Wife and Daughters and also Chief Alickta, Ambae Council of Cheifs and other Chiefs, Leonard Nawango, John Tari and local residences Sunday 30 th June Rested with my Wife and Children and attended a Local Chiefs Dinner, debriefed local Chiefs and spoke about ways forward. Monday 1 st July Met with Local Council of Chiefs on Efate and was inducted into local custom, more information was shared concerning local issues and how we could work with Vaunatu to help both Australia and Vanutu through Workers Program.

7 Tuesday 2 nd July Met with High Council of Cheifs President of the Malvatumauri Council of Cheifs Chief Willie Plasua and his CEO Chief Jean, to speak about Cultural events that could be held in conjunction with Parliament and also for ASSI Community events throughout Australia.

Wednesday 3 rd July Meeting with Foreign Minister and Alikson Vira concerning ongoing working arrangements for ASSI Communities, continuation of the partnership of Parliaments and Culturally working together to strengthen bonds. The conversation with High Commissioner was revisited concerning human rights of displaced Ambaens. Address at the Chiefs Nukamal High Council Of Chiefs.

8 Thursday 4 th July Meeting with the Minister of Agriculture Minister Mati Seremiah concerning the introduction of livestock from Queensland mainly smaller hardy animals like goats to clean up the mass of vegetation on Ambae and to address refrigeration issues when livestock is taken for food purposes. Friday 5 th July Fly back to Brisbane Australia from Efate Port Villa Vanuatu..

9 Attachment B – Details of Events

Welcome Reception

Date: Monday 24 June 2019 Attendees:

Hon. Curtis Pitt MP Speaker of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, Member for Mulgrave Mr Stephen Andrew MP Member for Mirani Hon. Esmon Saimon Speaker, Parliament of Vanuatu Mr. Roch Wamytan President, Congress of New Caledonia Hon. Edwin Amblus First Deputy-Speaker, Parliament of Vanuatu Macreveth Mr Raymond Manuake Clerk of Vanuatu Parliament Hon. Alickson Vira Member for Ambae, Vanuatu Parliament Mr Gaétan Ruru Interparliamentary Officer, Vanuatu Parliament Mr Greg Illingworth First Secretary, Political Section, Australian High Commission, Vanuatu Mr George Hasanakos Executive Officer, Office of the Speaker Venue: Bauerfield International Airport, Port Vila, Vanuatu

Meeting Summary: The delegation was immediately met after departing the aircraft at Bauerfield International Airport, Port Vila, Vanuatu. The welcoming party led by the Speaker of the Vanuatu Parliament warmly greeted the Queensland delegates and a 20 minute discussion was held about the upcoming events and the relationship between the two parliaments. A warm discussion was also had about Mr Andrew’s ancestral links to Ambae. The President of the Congress of New Caledonia, Mr. Roch Wamytan was in attendance and he expressed an interest in closer relations with the Queensland Parliament. The reception finished with a traditional tribal welcome display provided by Chief Alickta and traditional Ambae welcome ceremony.

10 Meeting with President of Vanuatu, His Excellency Tallis Obed Moses

Date: Monday 24 June 2019 Attendees:

His Excellency Tallis Obed President, Republic of Vanuatu Moses Hon. Curtis Pitt MP Speaker of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, Member for Mulgrave Mr Stephen Andrew MP Member for Mirani Mr George Hasanakos Executive Officer, Office of the Speaker Venue: Office of the Vanuatu President, Port Vila

Meeting Summary:

His Excellency Tallis Obed Moses invited the Queensland delegation to meet in his private office.

Discussion was held about the links between Vanuatu and the Queensland, specifically the links between Vanuatu and Queensland South Sea Islanders.

His Excellency recalled warmly his previous trips to Queensland.

Further discussion was held about the benefits of twinning relationship between the Queensland and Vanuatu Parliaments and the Pacific seasonal worker program.

11 Dinner with the Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu Jenny Da Rin Date: Monday 24 June 2019 Attendees:

Her Excellency Jenny Da Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu Rin Hon. Curtis Pitt MP Speaker of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, Member for Mulgrave Mr Stephen Andrew MP Member for Mirani Mr Greg Illingworth First Secretary, Political Section, Australian High Commission, Vanuatu Mr George Hasanakos Executive Officer, Office of the Speaker Venue: Blue Marlin Restaurant, Numbatu, Port Vila

Meeting Summary: The Australian High Commissioner and her staff gave a detailed briefing about Vanuatu and Australian-Vanuatu relations. The Speaker gave a detailed briefing of the Queensland Parliament’s activities under the twinning relationship with the Vanuatu Parliament. A detailed discussion also took place about the situation on Ambae after the recent eruptions of the Manaro volcano and the subsequent evacuations was also held.

12 Visit to Ambae Villages

Date: Tuesday 25 June 2019 Attendees:

Hon. Curtis Pitt MP Speaker of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, Member for Mulgrave Mr Stephen Andrew MP Member for Mirani Hon. Alickson Vira Member for Ambae, Vanuatu Parliament Various Village and Tribal Chiefs Mr George Hasanakos Executive Officer, Office of the Speaker Venue: Ambae

Meeting Summary: The Queensland Delegation and the Hon. Alickson Vira, member for Ambae were escorted to several villages in North-East Ambae by the local Police to be given traditional welcomes by local residents. At each village the delegation was offered local food and coconut water. The Queensland delegation was welcomed with official speeches and traditional dance and ceremony.

The Speaker and Mr Andrew both gave speeches on behalf of Queensland at each village Mr Andrew was made a tribal chief in a ceremony and was taken to the beach where his ancestors were forcibly taken to Queensland in the late 19 th century. The delegation was each gifted a traditional walking stick and welcome mat. Mr Hasanakos donated his walking stick and welcome mat to the Parliament for future display to commemorate the visit.

13 The return flights taking the delegation from Port Vila (to Longana and Walaha airports on Ambae) were paid for by the Vanuatu Government. Mr Andrew remained at Walaha to continue his visit to Ambae supported by the Vanuatu Government.

Additional Video

Stephen Andrew MP at Refugee Community Reception in Bambua, Vanuatu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNokvKCwaos

Stephen Andrew MP at Refugee Community Reception in Vuigalato, Vanuatu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu2c2g1DpYk

Stephen Andrew MP addresses students at Walaha Secondary School https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct1blKWslXM

Stephen Andrew MP gets kidnapped in Vanuatu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HRzPXQk3bc

Stephen Andrew MP addresses Bambua Primary School, Vanuatu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiGld4r7Rt8

Stephen Andrew MP welcomed by Vanuatu Villagers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnrhn1-QR9I

14 . Stephen Andrew - Chief Moli Duru Ambae

A tribal Initiation Ceremony was held to both welcome Steve Andrew MP back to his Island of Ambae, all surrounding villages were present to witness both his return and the ceremony to follow which seen the Stephen Andrew MP elevated to Chief Moli Duru Ambae.

Discussions were held about family members who had been “Black-Birded” and the effect and outcomes that were realised in Queensland, talks also took place concerning current issues faced with the Island being evacuated and how this has impacted on both health and Education during this process.

Meeting Summary: The Clerk of the Vanuatu Parliament met with Mr Speaker and Mr Hasanakos prior to their departure to Brisbane to discuss outcomes of the visit. Discussion was had about the types of future assistance the Queensland Parliament can provide to the Vanuatu Parliament under the twinning relationship. Mr Speaker offered assistance, with education, committees and standing order reform. Meeting also with volunteer heath workers who have touched thousands of lives during and after the Monaro Volcano and continuing on today.

Pictured here is Chief Willie Plasua President of the Malvatumauri High Council of Chiefs and CEO Chief Jean presenting me with recognition as a Ambaean Chief from the High Council.

15 APPENDIX C – APPLICABLE CPA QUEENSLAND BRANCH RULES ON REPORTING OF TRAVEL

CPA Queensland Branch Membership, CPA activities and Administrative Guidelines

3.10 Report to Parliament

Following return from overseas travel, the Member must table in Parliament within one month of return, or the next available sitting, a written report on the overseas travel undertaken. The report is to detail: • the CPA activity undertaken

• benefits obtained from the overseas travel

• any duties undertaken on behalf of Queensland (which would be ancillary to the primary purpose of the travel)

• the final itinerary or program, including countries visited, dates of travel, and sufficient detail to substantiate the official nature of the journey

• details of accompanying persons (including the spouse) whose costs are to be met by public funds and purpose for their attendance

• details of any personal component of the travel.

All overseas travel for officers will be detailed in the Parliamentary Service annual report.

16