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Wives being abandoned

Men are being abandoned with their children because a component of Australias aid this country is being abused by the wives, a Government minister said yesterday.
I am getting increasing reports from frustrated husbands who claim their wives have abandoned them for Australian men.
These women went to Australia to study in universities to further their education and while in the country, they engage in extra martial affairs, have children and decide to live with their new partners, Community Development Minister Andrew Mald said.
He said so far he had received four complaints from husbands in the country who were taking care of their children on their own and were faced with a lot of problems.
These men are placed in a situation they were not prepared for. They sent their wives away, thinking that by supporting them to further their will not only benefit PNG but also their families.
Now they are sad and angry that they have taken a wrong choice. I dont know if there is anything we can do really for these men, Mr Mald said.
A long time PNG resident in Melbourne recently told this reporter that it was true many PNG women had abandoned their families back home for Australian men but many have found that all was not rosy as they had imagined.
Many of these women were in defacto relationships and the men have abandoned them and took off with their children. They want to return home to PNG but cant because of the children.
They are trapped in a sad situation here, the Radio Australia worker had said.
Mr Mald said the matter should be taken up at Government to Government level between the two countries because the situation has defeated the whole purpose of the aid program.
The Government of Australia sponsors these students to go to universities there and upgrade their knowledge and skills, then come back to PNG and work here. This is not happening as the recipients of these aid packages complete their studies, live and work in Australia.
I think the Foreign Affairs Department and the Australian High Commission should look into this for a start, Mr Mald said.
Mr Mald said a review of the aid program was necessary to avoid such situations from happening as families were being separated and children were the main victims.