Kramer discusses travel regulations with Australia

From left: PNG Brisbane Consulate deputy consul Jeffrey Kiangali, ABF assistant commissioner Tim Fitzgerald, deputy chief migration officer, corporate services, Benjamin Lapana, Labour and Immigration Minister Bryan Kramer, Finance Department deputy secretary Margaret Tenakanai, chief migration officer Stanis Hulahau, ABF Superintendent John Ikin, ABF Commander Pam Radin, Finance Department Deputy Secretary Stephen Nukuitu, ICA finance and administration acting general manager Patrick Repo and ABF Superintendent Michael Talbot in Brisbane, Australia. – Picture supplied

MINISTER for Labour and Immigration Bryan Kramer recently met with Australian Border Force (ABF) officials to discuss the travel regulations between the two countries.
He said that he wanted to understand how they were using technology to strengthen the border.
Kramer and chief migration officer Stanis Hulahau toured the Brisbane International Airport to look at how their inbound travellers, e-passports, kiosks and smart gates processes worked.
“We talked about the possibility of visa on arrival for PNG citizens to Australia and a similar arrangement for Australian citizens to PNG.”
Kramer also mentioned in their discussions were the Pacific mobility programme, border patrol and security issues, and capacity building and training for Immigration and Citizenship Authority (ICA),” he said.
“Their e-passport system (interests me because) PNG ICA reforms include the reviewing of our passport act and introducing e-passports and biometrics.”