PM O'Neill : Taskforce set to remove illegal immigrants

There has been an influx of illegal immigrants who are conducting business and a taskforce has been established to clean up the mess, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said.

Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill said since 2000 the doors were opened to illegal migrants because systems were weak and people, including those that were supposed to protect them, compromised.

He said these illegal migrants are conducting businesses illegally that are reserved for our people.

"We are promoting big investment in the country and not allowing foreigners to take over jobs and businesses for our people," Mr O’Neill said.

The Prime Minister said an inter-government team has been established to be led by Foreign Affairs Department to visit all provinces throughout the country to check on illegal migrations conducting businesses and also foreigners conducting businesses reserved for the nationals.

He said the exercise by the team is a cleanup process and possibly take appropriate actions on who have not followed the laws.

Meanwhile, Mr O’Neill said PNG has an open market in the European Union market where trade is progressing and that is the kind of market PNG wants in Australia and New Zealand.

He added that PNG market is also progressing well with the current market in the PNG LNG gas while similar market is opening up in China.

The Prime Minister said when debating the ministerial statement by Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Rimbink Pato on Wednesday.

The Prime said with PNG foreign policy "PNG Connect" the global community has been a success story as PNG was building its image in the international community.

He said as a result many people were visiting the country at a rate of about 200 000 visitors.

He added that with PNG being a regional player, it was increasing its businesses in other Pacific Islands Forum countries like Bank South Pacific, superannuation funds entering into tourism businesses, Lamana Group of Companies and many more.