PM O’Neill urges Australia not to intervene on 'internal matters'

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister  Peter O’Neill  has called on Australia  that the ongoing student unrest was an internal matter and did not need their intervention.

Australia was quick to respond to the situation after reports were aired and printed worldwide about student deaths in PNG. There were no deaths reported during the student unrest.

After reports of the student unrest in PNG this week, the Australian Government was quick to jump in with their concerns urging calm on both sides as it tried to verify reports of four student deaths.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was the first to comment and appealed for calm in Port Moresby.

Ms Bishop told Australian media she had spoken with Australia’s High Commissioner Bruce Davis on the situation appealing for calm in PNG.

"If people have been shot in this incident, it is a tragedy and we urge for calm, to de-escalate tensions between the students and the police. We ask that the right to protest peacefully and lawfully be respected," Ms Bishop said.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had also called Mr O’Neill to express Australia’s concern on the latter.

Mr O’Neill confirmed yesterday receiving a call from Mr Turnbull but told him there was no need for Australia’s intervention.

"Of course, Malcolm has every right to call me anytime he wants to but as I indicated to him, these are internal matters for PNG.

"We can handle these matters, we have been an independent country for 40 years," Mr O’Neill said.

Radio Australia/PostCourier/PNG Today