The governor of the Eastern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea has accused Australia of discriminating against PNG citizens who want to migrate there.
The news agency, Australian Associated Press, reports that Mal Smith yesterday put a question in parliament to the Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister, Sir Rabbie Namaliu.
Mr Smith said Australia had been looking at allowing Nauruans to live in Australia under short-term employment contracts.
But, he said it was apparent that whenever it came to Papua New Guineans going to Australia, Australia had blinkers.
Mr Smith told the house the Australians felt that if Papua New Guineans were permitted to work in Australia they would overstay, or stay and seek residency.
The Australian Justice Minister, Chris Ellison, said earlier this week that it might be some time before PNG citizens were able to pick fruit in Australia under short-term employment contracts.
