Australia calls for calm as deaths mount in PNG riots
Australia has urged calm in Papua New Guinea as deaths start to mount following rioting and looting in the nation’s two biggest cities.
No Australians have been reported caught up in the violence and unrest gripping Papua New Guinea as the High Commission works to account for citizens.
PNG’s defence force has been called in to restore order as rioting and looting tears through the capital Port Moresby after a peaceful demonstration outside parliament over a payroll issue for public servants deteriorated.
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Almost 200 additional police officers are being flown into the capital to help restore law and order and at least 15 people have died across the capital and the second-largest city of Lae, according to the ABC, who have journalists on the ground.
AAP has contacted PNG authorities for confirmation.
No calls for assistance have been sent to Australia but the government maintained a good relationship with PNG, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
No Australian had been caught up in the conflict as of Thursday morning, he confirmed, as he called for calm.
“It’s not perfect advice and not every Australian is on a register in PNG ... but at this stage, we have not been made aware of ... any Australians being caught up in the conflict,” he told reporters in Victoria.
“Our high commission in Port Moresby are keeping a very close eye on what is occurring there, making sure that Australians are looked after.
“We continue to urge calm at this difficult time.”
Australia signed a legally binding security agreement with PNG in December that mandates both nations to consult each other in the event the stability of either country is threatened.
