Visa Changes for Australia-PNG Travel to Boost Ties and Partnerships

(L-R) Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Deputy Prime Minister of PNG John Rosso and Foreign Minister of PNG Justin Tkatchenko speak during a press conference following the Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum at Parliament House in Canberra, Feb. 17, 2023. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

Australian businesses that seek to obtain multiple entry visas for Papua New Guinea (PNG) will soon be able to make that a reality after Australian and PNG officials discussed ways to streamline immigration.

This follows a visit to PNG in January by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who became the first foreign leader to address the country’s parliament. Albanese’s visit had sought to cement bilateral ties to show Australia’s commitment to supporting liberal democratic values in the Indo-Pacific.

Ministers from both nations also discussed security and economic cooperation in Canberra on Feb. 17 at the 29th Australia–Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum. A draft security agreement was exchanged, with a deal expected to be inked by April 2023.

“This will allow Papua New Guineans to have direct access to apply for a visa to Australia,” PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko said.

Pending changes in visa processing include the ability to complete Australia visa application and paperwork in Port Moresby, PNG, as a key step to improve people-to-people relationships by providing direct access.

Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea John Rosso said the visa approvals and processes is significant, with 75 percent of visas being able to be approved within 14 days.

There are currently no multiple entry visas for Australian businesses but the new visa changes to short term visas will make business easier for Australian citizens.

“It will be short term visas over a period of twelve months issued, instead of issuing it every month when you need to come to Papua New Guinea,” Rosso said.

“We'll also adhere to the 75 percent mark and turnaround time for visas to come to Papua New Guinea for Australia, and this will be also on a reciprocal treatment.”

PNG’s Tkatchenko said that the bilateral agreement wasn’t just about regional security, policing, and defence.

“It’s also about many other security issues—climate change, biosecurity, gender equality, and economic security as well.”

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong said the two countries noted their commitment to supporting regional peace, security, economic resilience, and Pacific unity.

“We seek that this be the next stage in this relationship of that sort of stature. A partnership that is close, open, honest and ensures that we work together to enable Papua New Guinea to achieve its aspirations,” Wong said in the press conference.

“We have that relationship in depth with us and this security treaty is only going to enhance our security in the region together, internally, externally and for the region.“

Wong will visit Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum retreat next week, and make a visit to Kiribati to the northeast as well.

Improving Australia-PNG Ties

During the forum, ministers renewed their commitment to the Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (CSEP) to guide the partnership between Australia and PNG with coordinated engagements.

The unique historical connection between the two nations was discussed, along with the following six themes: strong democracies for a stable future, close friends, enduring ties, economic partnership for prosperity, strategic cooperation for security and stability, and social and human development with neighbours and global partners.

Kessy Sawang, PNG’s vice-trade minister, told AAP the two nations need to re-evaluate their relationships that are based on the colonial past and to now focus on personal relationships.

“We need a new level of people-to-people relationship, rather than government-to-government and aid and diplomacy,” Sawang said.

An Independent PNG

The January visit by Albanese had sought to ensure that the PNG government does not follow the Solomon Islands in signing a security pact with Beijing.

However, Tkatchenko said the signed security pact between the Solomon Islands and China was “irrelevant” to the Papua New Guinea government.

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During the forum, Wong said it was important to focus on PNG’s autonomy and independence as “economic security ensures national security, ensures regional security.”

“We seek that this be the next stage in this relationship of that sort of stature, a partnership that is close, open, honest, and ensures that we work together to enable Papua New Guinea to achieve its aspirations,” Wong said.

Tkatchenko agreed with Wong that PNG needed to remain politically and economically independent.

“A secure and prosperous Papua New Guinea is a secure and prosperous Australia as well,” Tkatchenko said.

“There’s always room for helping one another, especially when we have a situation where our region is changing.”

Australia and PNG signed a new strategic cooperation through the development of the Bilateral Security Treaty (BST) on Jan. 12, with a commitment to conclude negotiations within four months.

“As near neighbours, close friends, and equal partners, Papua New Guinea’s and Australia’s defence and security is deeply connected,” said the two nation’s prime ministers in a joint statement.

“We share a mutual strategic interest in a safe, stable, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. We have a proud history of working together in the interests of the region.

“The BST will provide an enabling framework for our current and future traditional and non-traditional security cooperation. The BST would facilitate the practical broadening and deepening of our security cooperation while sitting above existing arrangements, programs, and activities.”

AAP contributed to this article.