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May 10th, 2013 
Peter Nolan
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Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she will take steps to make it easier for Papua New Guineans to travel to Australia.
Ms Gillard is on her first official visit to Australia’s northern neighbour, and was hosted by her PNG counterpart Peter O’Neill at a state dinner on Thursday night.
He urged Australia to relax visa rules for PNG citizens, saying the current requirements were frustrating and insulting.
“I’m aware that citizens of around 40 countries can access what is known as the ETA visa, which enables them swift access for their trips to Australia,” he said to Ms Gillard during the state dinner.
“Unfortunately your closest neighbour, your best friend, is not one of the 40 countries on that list.”
But today Ms Gillard told a breakfast hosted by the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce that a new online application process will soon make it easier for Papua New Guineans to get visitor visas.
She says her Government will also streamline the process to get multiple entry visas for people on business trips.
After the breakfast, Ms Gillard travelled to a market in the rough Port Moresby suburb of Gerehu.
Ms Gillard was given a warm welcome by a crowd gathered outside the Gerehu market and by the women who sell fruits and vegetables inside.
One woman gave Ms Gillard a bilum or woven string bag adorned with the PNG flag.
The Prime Minister also bought a bunch of locally-grown bananas.
In recent months, a project by UN Women has improved the facilities and safety at the market.
AusAID is now coming on board and will contribute $3 million.
Topics:
federal-government,
government-and-politics,
foreign-affairs,
world-politics,
immigration,
papua-new-guinea,
australia
Source Article from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-10/gillard-to-streamline-visa-process-for-papua-new-guineans/4682024
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