AUSTRALIA TRAVEL WARNING: Papua New GuineaPUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT31 May 2007 Papua New Guinea
SUMMARY- We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Papua New Guinea because of the high levels of serious crime.
- Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
- Papua New Guinea's national elections will take place from 30 June to 10 July 2007, with final results unlikely to be announced until the beginning of August. During the period surrounding the elections you should avoid rallies, demonstrations and other large public gatherings as they may turn violent.
- We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to the Highlands region of Papua New Guinea (Southern Highlands, Enga, Western Highlands, Chimbu and Eastern Highlands provinces) as election-related violence, mainly between opposing clan and political groups, is likely during the period surrounding the national elections. Australians could be inadvertently caught up in violence directed at others.
- Crime rates are high in the capital Port Moresby and in other areas of Papua New Guinea, especially in Lae, Mt Hagen and other parts of the Highland provinces. Opportunistic crime is expected to increase during the election period.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
Safety and SecurityCrime We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Papua New Guinea because of the high levels of serious crime. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks. Crime is random and opportunistic and is especially prevalent in urban areas such as Port Moresby, Lae and Mt Hagen. Settlement areas of towns and cities are particularly dangerous. Violence and use of 'bush knives' (machetes) and firearms often accompany assault and theft attempts. Carjackings, assaults (including sexual assaults), bag snatching and robberies are common. There is a significant risk of robbery and carjacking in the area near Parliament House in the Waigani suburb of Port Moresby and along the highway between Lae and the Nadzab Airport, particularly between the two and nine mile settlement areas. Opportunistic crime is expected to increase during the election period (see below). Walking after dark is particularly dangerous in Port Moresby and other urban centres. All travel at night should be made by car. Due to the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, victims of violent crime, especially rape, are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical assistance. The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary faces a number of obstacles, including limited resources, and this may affect police response times in the event of crime. The police force, and elements of the defence force and correctional services, will be deployed to assist with the conduct of the elections. Many businesses, including the High Commission, employ private security companies to help deliver a prompt response to calls for assistance. Civil Unrest/Political Tension Tension between communal or clan groups, particularly in the Highlands region, occasionally leads to outbreaks of tribal fighting, often involving the use of firearms. Outbreaks of violence have occurred in settlements and marketplaces in Port Moresby, Lae and major towns in the Highlands. Papua New Guinea's national elections will take place from 30 June to 10 July 2007, with final results unlikely to be announced until the beginning of August. Polling is scheduled to take place on one day in each of the Highlands provinces: the Southern Highlands on 30 June; Enga on 3 July; Western Highlands on 6 July; and Eastern Highlands and Chimbu provinces on 9 July. Polling in all other provinces will be staggered over the eleven days of voting. You should avoid rallies, demonstrations and other large public gatherings as they may turn violent. You should also be particularly cautious around polling places and counting centres. The period surrounding the elections is likely to be volatile and this could impact on the security situation. Outbreaks of violence in some parts of PNG, especially the Southern Highlands Province, accompanied the last national elections in 2002 and it is possible that violence will be experienced during and immediately following the 2007 elections. Highlands region: We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to the Highlands region of Papua New Guinea (Southern Highlands, Enga, Western Highlands, Chimbu and Eastern Highlands provinces) as election-related violence, mainly between opposing clan and political groups, is likely during the period surrounding the national elections. Australians could be inadvertently caught up in violence directed at others. Election-related violence is also of concern in Port Moresby and Lae, particularly in the settlement areas. Terrorism Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers. Local Travel Road conditions are generally poor. Public Motor Vehicles (PMVs) are unreliable due to poor maintenance and have been targeted by criminals. Vehicles hired from a reputable car hire company, reputable taxi company or hotel transport are a safer alternative. There is a possibility of reduced mobility during the election period, particularly in the Highlands. In 2002, some regional airports were closed and the Highlands Highway was obstructed in several places by roadblocks. The number of roadblocks in urban centres (both those staffed by police as well as illegal ones) also increased. The same situation could develop in 2007. Mobile telephone global roaming facilities are currently being tested in Papua New Guinea. Travellers should contact their mobile telephone service provider for more details. Venomous snakes are common in Papua New Guinea. There is usually an increase in the number of snake bite cases reported during the wet season. Kokoda Track: As for other parts of Papua New Guinea, we advise you to exercise a high degree of caution when walking the Kokoda Track and travelling through the areas adjacent to each end of the track. We recommend you travel with guides from a reputable tour company. This is particularly important given occasional threats by villagers to close parts of the track because of local land and compensation disputes. The Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) has stationed rangers along the track and at airports to collect fees from trekkers who have not obtained a valid trekking permit. Trekkers should ensure that their tour company provides a permit in return for fees paid for this purpose. The KTA can be contacted on telephone (675) 323 6020 regarding payment of the applicable fee. You should register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade before attempting to hike the Kokoda Track. Walking the Kokoda Track is physically demanding and requires a high level of fitness (see Health Issues section below). Unexploded ordnance still exists in Papua New Guinea, particularly along the Kokoda Track and at Milne Bay and Rabaul. Bougainville: As for other parts of Papua New Guinea, we advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Bougainville. You should consider your plans carefully and discuss them with the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby before travelling to Bougainville, particularly to the South. You must provide notice of your intention to visit the island to the Bougainville Provincial Administration (telephone +675 973 9798) and must contact the Administration again upon arrival. The mountainous area in central Bougainville around the old Panguna mine is a 'No Go Zone'. We strongly advise you not to enter the 'No Go Zone'. Foreigners who have entered the 'No Go Zone' without authorisation from the PNG Government have been questioned by PNG authorities and had their passports confiscated on departure from the Zone. Airline Safety Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids, (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Transport and Regional Services website. If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Transport and Regional Services has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are provided advice not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns this will be included in travel advice. The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO. Natural Disasters Papua New Guinea is in an active seismic zone and regular volcanic eruptions occur, particularly around Rabaul, Bougainville, West New Britain and Manam Island. All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities. Wildlife Watching Australians are strongly advised to maintain safe and legal approach distance when observing wildlife. You should use only reputable and professional operations and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice. Money and Valuables Before you go, organise a variety of ways of accessing your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques and cash. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas. Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home. While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves. Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible. Since 1 July 2005, Australians have been required to pay an additional fee to have their passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports. For Parents If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia. Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council. Local LawsWhen you are in Papua New Guinea, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail. Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter. Penalties for treason, murder and piracy include the death sentence. Homosexual acts between men are illegal, and may be punished by imprisonment. Adultery is a criminal offence and punishment may include imprisonment. Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia. Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia. Local Customs You should be aware that the traditional custom of 'payback' is often practised in Papua New Guinea. Australians who engage in illegal or inappropriate sexual or financial relations run the risk of extrajudicial responses from offended parties. Demands for compensation for property damage, including to livestock, are common. Information for Dual Nationals Papua New Guinea does not recognise dual nationality except for children under 18 years of age. This may limit the ability of the Australian Government to provide consular assistance to Australian/Papua New Guinean dual nationals who are arrested or detained. Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals. Entry and Exit RequirementsVisa conditions change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Papua New Guinea for the most up to date information. Health IssuesWe strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas. Health care facilities in Papua New Guinea, including in the capital Port Moresby, are poor by Australian standards. Facilities in large towns are usually adequate for routine problems and some emergencies, however health facilities in rural areas are very basic, including along the Kokoda Track. Medical evacuation to Australia, costing between several thousand dollars to fifty thousand dollars depending on the circumstances, is often the only option for serious illnesses or accidents (including diving accidents). Walking the Kokoda Track is physically demanding and requires a high level of fitness. Each year, several Australians are medically evacuated. Given the unpredictable weather and poor services, some have had to wait several days before such evacuations took place. Adequate travel insurance is essential. Malaria is a risk in all areas outside urban Port Moresby. Dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases also occur, including in Port Moresby. We encourage you to take prophylaxis against malaria where necessary and take measures to avoid mosquito bites, including using insect repellent at all times. The rate of HIV/AIDS infection in Papua New Guinea is high. You should exercise appropriate precautions if engaging in activities that expose you to risk of infection. You can find out more information at the Department of Health and Ageingwebsite. Other sexually transmitted diseases are prevalent in all urban centres. Food-borne, water-borne and other infectious diseases (including tuberculosis, typhoid and hepatitis) are common. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Swimmers should also be aware that water-borne parasites pose a risk in many of PNG's rivers. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza. The World Health Organisation has confirmed deaths from avian influenza and outbreaks of avian influenza amongst birds in the region. The Department of Health and Ageing advises Australians who reside in Papua New Guinea for an extended period to consider, as a precautionary measure, having access to influenza antiviral medicine for treatment. Long term residents are at a greater risk of exposure to avian influenza over time. Medical advice should be sought before antiviral medicines are commenced. Australians intending to travel to Papua New Guinea for shorter periods are at much lower risk of infection but should discuss the risk of avian influenza with their doctor as part of their routine pre-travel health checks. If the avian influenza virus mutates to a form where efficient human-to-human transmission occurs, it may spread quickly and local authorities could move quickly to impose restrictions on travel. Australian travellers and long-term residents in Papua New Guinea should be prepared to take personal responsibility for their own safety and well-being, including deciding when to leave an affected area and ensuring they have appropriate contingency plans in place. Australians in Papua New Guinea should monitor the travel advice and bulletin for updated information and advice, and ensure that their travel documents, including passports and visas for any non-Australian family members, are up to date in case they need to depart at short notice. In February 2006 the Australian Government decided as a precautionary measure to hold a limited supply of the antiviral medicine oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and protective face masks at its high commission in Papua New Guinea. The antivirals would primarily be used to protect emergency staff providing consular and other essential services in the event of a widespread outbreak of avian influenza amongst humans. Australian missions will not be in a position to provide influenza antiviral medicines to Australians in affected areas and it is the responsibility of individual Australians to secure their own supply of such medicines (such as Tamiflu or Relenza), if required. | 
