PNG PM visits Australia's Palm Island

5:36 pm on 3 April 2017

Papua New Guinea's prime minister Peter O'Neill has become the first Prime Minister of any country to visit Palm Island in Australia.

The Post Courier reported that Mr O'Neill was yesterday given a traditional Aboriginal red carpet welcome on Palm Island by the local community.

The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Peter O'Neill

The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Peter O'neil Photo: Supplied

Palm Island is home to an Aboriginal community and located on part of the Great Barrier Reef in North Queensland.

Its population of almost 2000 includes around 20 Papua New Guineans who live and work on the island.

Mr O'Neill was in Australia to launch a new twice-weekly air service between Townsville and Port Moresby to be provided by Air Niugini.

Air Niugini and Fiji Airways parked at Nadi International Airport in Fiji

Air Niugini and Fiji Airways parked at Nadi International Airport in Fiji Photo: RNZI/Sally Round

There are about 5000 Papua New Guineans living in Townsville, including about 300 of them students at various institutions, and 100 employees in local mines.

The prime minister said the new air link would open up opportunities which would mutually benefit PNG and North Queensland, including major expansion of business, investment and trade links.

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