Tighter controls on Torres Strait border crossers
Updated
Tougher controls on traditional border crossings between Papua New Guinea and Australia are to be put in place.The governments of both countries want to stem the number of PNG citizens illegally gaining access to health clinics in Australia's north eastern state of Queensland
Under the existing treaty, only 13 villages are legally allowed free movement between Australia and PNG to carry out traditional activities. But a ministerial forum held in Madang last week was told the number of border crossings is much higher than that, and one serious concern is transmissible diseases like a highly resistant strain of tuberculosis. The Governor of Western Province Bob Danaya tells Bruce Hill the changes will ensure traditional border crossings are more efficiently policed.
Presenter:Bruce Hill
Speaker: Bob Danaya Governor of PNG's Western Province
