By Pita Ligaiula
PORT MORESBY, (PACNEWS) – Australia says the question of Bougainville’s independence must be resolved through negotiations between the Autonomous Bougainville Government and Papua New Guinea, while Canberra is open to further discussions on easing visa arrangements for Papua New Guineans.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia respected the process between the two parties when asked how Canberra would respond if Papua New Guinea’s Parliament rejected Bougainville’s independence and the region made a unilateral declaration.
“The position we have expressed in relation to this is very simple. This is a matter for the parties, both the Bougainville side and PNG, to resolve and to negotiate, and we respect that process,” Wong said.
Wong was speaking at a joint press conference with PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko following the Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum in Port Moresby.
She did not outline how Australia would respond to a unilateral declaration of independence.
The discussions also covered PNG’s request for visa arrangements similar to those it has with New Zealand, with Wong confirming Australia was willing to consider further options.
Wong said Australia had already introduced visa measures specifically for Papua New Guineans, including arrangements linked to the National Rugby League (NRL), a mobile application to simplify immigration processes and the Pacific Engagement Visa programme (PEV).
“Papua New Guinea has the largest cohort of Pacific Engagement Visas provided to it of any country in the Pacific, and that reflects the special relationship we have,” she said.
Wong said the Pacific Engagement Visa gave successful applicants access to Medicare and education from arrival.
She acknowledged that PNG had asked Australia to consider additional visa options but said any changes would need to be consistent with Australia’s broader immigration principles.
“We recognise the special relationship we have with PNG as our ally. It’s reflected in some of the unique visa categories that are provided to Papua New Guineans, but we are open to the further discussion that’s been requested,” Wong said.
Tkatchenko said the two countries were working to improve travel access as part of their alliance, including through sports diplomacy.
He said a new arrangement would allow Papua New Guineans to apply for a 12-month, multiple-entry visa from 2028 to attend NRL matches in Australia, with stays of up to 30 days per visit and a fee of Kina 75(US$17) .
The arrangement would not permit employment, Tkatchenko said, adding that it was intended to make it easier for Papua New Guineans to travel to Australia for rugby league.
He said the initiative was expected to benefit thousands of Papua New Guineans who wanted to travel to watch matches.
However, Tkatchenko acknowledged that problems with PNG’s national identification and birth registration systems remained an obstacle to broader visa access.
“Our NID system is corrupt. Our birth certificate system is corrupt because people are getting away with putting false identifications, so Australia is wary of that,” he said.
Tkatchenko said PNG needed to address weaknesses in its documentation systems to build Australia’s confidence in the identity papers submitted by visa applicants.
He said improving access would require action by both governments.
“It’s an ongoing process on both sides, which we have to get our act together and make it happen,” Tkatchenko said….PACNEWS