ABC News Online
Monday, March 15, 2004. 5:26pm (AEDT)
PNG airline rethinks security after pilot's shooting
PNG Airlines say it will review the security advice it gives to its staff after an Australian pilot was killed in the country's highlands.
Captain Allan Mourilyan from Cairns in far-north Queensland was shot after he withdrew money from an automatic teller machine (ATM) in Mt Hagen yesterday.
PNG Airlines chief executive officer Simon Wild says staff have been shocked by the incident and are being offered counselling.
Mr Wild says work will be done to improve the personal security of employees.
"In Papua New Guinea we have a law and order problem," Mr Wild said.
"Some staff have been threatened and in one case I think they had been stabbed and Allan's the only expatriate staff that has been killed.
"Allan was a valued member in our company and well-liked and respected, not only by our staff members but a lot of the people he's had day-to-day dealings with.
"We're out there to try and support both Allan's family and our staff members at this tragic time."
A group of expatriate Australians living in Mount Hagen is meeting with police to discuss the shooting.
Spokesman Stephen Bell says they are concerned the gang involved in the shooting had been active in the area for some time.
He says the group wants to know why police did not take action before the pilot's death.
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ABC News Online
Monday, March 15, 2004. 5:24pm (AEDT)
Aust-PNG police talks continue
Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer says talks are continuing in a bid to solve problems in sending Australian police to Papua New Guinea.
Mr Downer met PNG Foreign Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu and other Asia-Pacific leaders in Sydney today.
He says parts of Australia's enhanced cooperation package with PNG are still being negotiated, including immunity from prosecution for Australian police.
Mr Downer says the death of a 57-year-old Cairns pilot after an armed robbery at an automatic teller machine at Mount Hagen in PNG highlights his concern about law and order.
"That's one of the things that's motivated us in terms of the offers we've made to PNG," he said.
"I don't want to reflect on their police but police need all the help they can get to strengthen the law and order situation in Port Moresby but as you rightly say in places like Mt Hagen and Lae and other parts of the country."
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