Update to PNG Travel Advice

The following email was recently sent out by the Australian DFAT via
the High Commission in Port Moresby with an updated travel advice for
PNG:

The Travel Advisory for PNG has been reviewed and reissued as at 19 October2006.
The overall level of the advice has not changed. It contains new information under
 Safety and Security:  Civil Unrest/Political Tension(upcoming national elections),
 Local Travel (threats to close parts of theKokoda Track), and Health Issues (update).

- It continues to advise Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in Papua New
 Guinea because of the high levels of serious crime.
- The travel advice notes that crime rates are high in the capital Port Moresby and
 in other  areas of Papua New Guinea, especially in Lae, Mt Hagenand other parts of
 the Highland provinces.
- It further notes that the months leading up to national elections in June 2007 are
likely to be politically volatile and that this could impact onthe security situation,
and advises Australians to avoid political rallies,demonstrations and other large public
 gatherings as such events might turn violent.
- We continue to advise that, when walking the Kokoda Track, Australians should travel
 with guides from a reputable tour company, particularly given occasional threats by
 villagers to close parts of the track.

For a full text of the revised advisory, please refer to http://www.smartraveller.gov.au

Yours sincerely**************

Please encourage other Australians you know to register with the AustralianHigh Commission - they can do so through