30 Apr 2008

More checks expected at PNG/Australia border

3:31 pm on 30 April 2008

Tougher controls are to be put in place for the border between Papua New Guinea and Australia as both governments are aware of thousands of PNG citizens illegally gaining access to Queensland health clinics.

Under the 1978 Torres Strait Treaty only 13 villages are allowed free movement between Australia and PNG to carry out traditional activities such as hunting and fishing.

A ministerial forum which was held in Madang last week has agreed on proper application of the Treaty's free movement provisions.

Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Duncan Kerr, says it's not the only issue.

"Wherever you get human populations mixing and moving, you have to be aware of the possibility of transmissible health issues. And one of the issues that both governments are concerned about is the increasing threat of highly resistant tuberculosis."

Duncan Kerr says the Australian government is contributing nearly 600,000 US dollars towards health care in PNG's south.

The president of a doctors' group which provides health care for countries neighbouring Australia says PNG citizens are relying on Queensland Health services.

But the President of Australian Doctors International, Doctor Peter Macdonald, says although a number of villages have free movement across the border, others are also demanding that right.

I have to say they're pretty well lacking everything. The public health sector in Papua New Guinea continues to deteriorate, particularly in the Western Province gets left out. The provincial and district health services are not properly funded, they're not properly administered.

Peter Macdonald says improving PNG's health services will reduce the need to seek help from Australia.