An Australian child sex criminal has been refused entry into the country.
The criminal has been repatriated to Australia; Police Commissioner David Manning confirmed in a statement.
Commissioner Manning said the convicted Australian criminal, who tried to illegally enter PNG on February 27th on a sailboat into Daru, was intercepted at the border by diligent detectives, highlighting the collaborative efforts between the two countries’ authorities.
“In addition to attempting to enter PNG illegally, the sex offender had also violated reporting conditions in Australia, further warranting legal action against him in his home country,” the statement read.
Commissioner Manning said measures are in place to prevent child sex offenders from entering PNG, with police and relevant agencies, including the Immigration and Citizenship Authority, actively monitoring for such individuals.
The police commissioner also emphasized the importance of information sharing, facilitated by the Bilateral Security Agreement with Australia, which enables PNG investigators to access crucial criminal intelligence for effective policing operations.
He further underscored the zero-tolerance approach towards predatory offenders, stressing the commitment to protecting communities through swift and comprehensive legal action.
“Regardless of their origin, child sex offenders would be vigorously pursued and brought to justice in accordance with the law,” the statement read.