SYDNEY: Papua New Guinea has witnessed an online backlash over the cost to taxpayers of around 30 officials travelling to London for the coronation of King Charles, with the governor general's office denying media reports the bill was close to US$1 million.
"Insane number of delegates for overseas trips, for so called meetings, yet no funds for basic human rights services," wrote Esther Kila on the PNG Post Courier website. This was in addition to the governor-general, Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae, his wife and Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko. "Everybody is included to ensure the governor general doesn't embarrass the country," Toraso said by telephone from London.The governor general's delegation cost was less than half a million kina, he said, noting Australia had provided transport on a military aircraft when they went to the Queen's funeral.