CORRECTION
11 May 2007
For immediate release
A story on page 7 of today's The National claims that Australian Government officials have “cautioned Australians not to travel to Papua New Guinea, especially the Highlands region during elections time”.
This is inaccurate.
The Australian Government last issued its travel advice for PNG on 8 February 2007. It advises Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in PNG because of the high levels of serious crime. There is nothing in the travel advice to suggest that Australians should not travel to PNG during elections time.
The advice notes that the months leading up to the national elections, commencing on 30 June, are likely to be politically volatile and this could impact on the security situation.
It states: “Outbreaks of violence in some parts of PNG, especially the Southern Highlands Province, accompanied the last national elections in 2002 and it is possible that violence will be experienced during and immediately following the 2007 elections.”
Media Inquiries: Leigh Arnold, Public Diplomacy Manager, Ph: 325 9333 ext 275