The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration in Papua New Guinea, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, has condemned the theft of the country's passport issuing computers and other equipment early on Monday morning.
Sir Rabbie says the theft of the machines means that new passports cannot be issued to Papua New Guineans planning to travel overseas at Christmas.
He says the Department is liaising closely with the Australian Government and suppliers of equipment to try and replace the stolen equipment.
The Minister has appealed to the public to pass on to police any information they have regarding the stolen equipment.
Sir Rabbie says the thieves may try to to issue passports but he says anyone found in possession of a fraudulently issued passport faces severe penalties.
