The Australian government has spent almost $100,000 on ferrying Pope Francis around Papua New Guinea to attend religious services earlier this month.

In the letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA), Air Marshal Robert Chipman, Vice Chief of the Defence Force, revealed that the Defence Force’s support for flying Pope Francis from Port Moresby to Vanimo in a C-130J Hercules cost $98,420.

He also confirmed that 26 Defence Force personnel were involved in the activity on 8 September.

In the remote town of Vanimo, the Pope took part in Mass and met with local missionaries.

“Australia’s support to the Government of Papua New Guinea during His Holiness’ visit was part of Australia’s enduring and comprehensive support to that nation,” wrote Air Marshal Chipman.

“Australia is a trusted security partner for PNG through an extensive defence cooperation program, and it is as part of this enduring and important relationship that airlift support was provided.”

Air Marshal Chipman’s response followed RSA Executive Director Si Gladman’s letter to Defence minister Richard Marles, seeking answers about how much Australia’s support for the Pope’s visit would cost taxpayers.

Freedom of belief and conscience is under threat in PNG, where the government has been pushing for the country to be declared a Christian nation in its constitution. In early September, a parliamentary vote on legislation to amend the constitution narrowly fell short. The proposed amendment would have inserted into the preamble:

“acknowledge and declare God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Son and the Holy Spirit, as our Creator and the Sustainer of the entire universe and the source of our Powers and Authorities, delegated to the people and all persons within the geographical jurisdiction of Papua New Guinea.”

Mr Gladman said many Australians would be shaking their heads at the thought of their taxes funding the private missionary activities of the wealthy Catholic Church.

“It’s not clear to us why the Vatican wouldn’t make arrangements for its leader to attend to his own private religious services when he’s travelling overseas,” Mr Gladman said.

“Arguably, Australian aid could be having a bigger impact in helping to address issues such as of poverty and violence towards women in PNG.”

Australia’s Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership with PNG includes a commitment to “support the role of faith-based institutions.” Point 12 of the agreement says: 

“We commit to building more links between these institutions, including exchanges of visits between the leaders and members of churches. We will strengthen relations between Australia and rural Papua New Guinea communities, including through church partnerships.”

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Si Gladman is Executive Director of the Rationalist Society of Australia. He also hosts ‘The Secular Agenda’ podcast.

Photo by Long Thiên (Flickr CC)

Letter to the RSA from Air Marshal Robert Chipman, 13 September 2024

Dear Mr Gladman

Thank you for your correspondence on 30 August 2024 concerning Australian Defence Force support to His Holiness Pope Francis’ visit to Papua New Guinea. I appreciate the time you have taken to write to the Deputy Prime Minister, who has asked I respond on his behalf.

At the request of the Government of Papua New Guinea, the Australian Government agreed to provide assistance as they hosted a visit by His Holiness. This involved a Royal Australian Air Force aircraft providing transport for His Holiness between Port Moresby and Vanimo. Twenty six Australian Defence Force personnel participated in the activity comprising of a C-130J crew and support elements, at a total cost of $98,420.00.

Australia’s support to the Government of Papua New Guinea during His Holiness’ visit was part of Australia’s enduring and comprehensive support to that nation. Australia is a trusted security partner for PNG through an extensive defence cooperation program, and it is as part of this enduring and important relationship that airlift support was provided.

Yours sincerely

Robert Chipman, AO, CSC

Air Marshal,

Vice Chief of the Defence Force