In the typical cargo cult reporting style of the Townsville Bulletin, the commencement of regular Air Niugini flights between Townsville and Port Moresby was hailed as leading to money making possibilities , even PNG rugby league fans flying in for matches .
Right now about 200,000 people in PNG are living in difficult conditions due to violent earthquakes which killed 120 people in one shake , destroyed many buildings, swept away roads and village gardens , started tribal fighting because of the dislocation of groups . The ABC has run reports on the grim situation , but scan the Townsville Bulletin and it is hard to find anything at all about the tragic situation . Why?
The ABC reported early on that the Australian Defence Force helped as did the New Zealand Air Force in flying in aid . No specific mention of assistance coming from Townsville . Helicopters in particular are needed to get aid to villages in the rugged terrain
As Townsville is a nearby large defence base , with helicopters , you would think the local paper would look for the possible local angle to the human tragedy just up the road . If no Townsville military aid was / is being provided , why ?
Defence Minister Marise Payne made the front page of the Bulletin when she announced in Townsville April 12 what the paper said put the city on the brink of a defence jobs boom. It seems no local reporter took the opportunity to ask the minister for an update on the latest ADF involvement in the PNG disaster and what exactly the local garrison is contributing , if any . The minister could also have been asked if she envisages Townsville, on many fronts, playing a large part in helping our close neighbour in the long road to recovery .
