The Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council has appointed Andrew Cairns as its new President following the Council’s Annual General Meeting held in Brisbane on 12 May 2026 ahead of the 41st Australia Papua New Guinea Business Forum and Trade Expo.
Mr Cairns succeeds Vaughan Mills, who has completed four years as President of the Council.
Council members at the AGM acknowledged Mr Mills’ contribution to the organisation and its activities during his term.
Mr Cairns, Chief Executive Officer of Westpac PNG, said he looked forward to continuing the Council’s work in advancing commercial and economic engagement between Australia and Papua New Guinea.
“The relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea is entering an important new phase, with growing opportunities across infrastructure, resources, agriculture, finance, digital connectivity and services,” Mr Cairns said.
He said there were exciting opportunities ahead for both Papua New Guinea’s economy and bilateral business engagement, adding that collaboration, investment confidence and long-term partnerships would remain central to sustainable growth.
The AGM also confirmed the re-election of Nihal Shah as Vice President in Australia and Andrew Harris as Vice President in Papua New Guinea.
Newly elected members of the APNGBC Management Committee are Andrew Betteridge of ANZ Banking Group, Andrew Cairns of Westpac PNG and John Wallace of BNG Trading.
Continuing members of the Management Committee are Kelly Bartle, Richard Flynn and Philip Franklin.
On behalf of the APNGBC, Mr Mills thanked all outgoing and continuing committee members for their contribution to the Council and its ongoing work supporting Australia-PNG business engagement.
