A Torres Strait Islander has been charged with grievous bodily harm of a Papua New Guinea national on Boigu Island in Australia after a fight over the State of Origin rugby league game on July 13.
The day after the incident, two boats of PNG men from Buzi village crossed the international border and allegedly went armed with bush knives around Boigu threatening islanders.
Under Australia’s Torres Strait treaty with Papua New Guinea, islanders and PNG nationals from 13 villages can freely cross the border to maintain traditional contacts and cultural practices.
A number of villagers from Buzi, also known as Buji, made the 6km boat trip to Boigu on 13 July to watch the final State of Origin game. Rugby League is Papua New Guinea’s national sport.
New South Wales beat Queensland 18-14 in the game's last minutes.
Local sources said the fight erupted after heavy drinking.
“A 29-year-old Boigu man was charged with grievous bodily harm after a 44-year-old PNG national was allegedly assaulted during an incident on Army Road, Boigu Island on July 13,” Queensland police said in a statement to SBS.
“A 19-year-old PNG national was also assaulted during the incident but did not wish to make an assault complaint.
“Police were informed of a subsequent disturbance on the island the following day involving several people from Papua New Guinea. There were no reported assaults during this incident.”
Local police are working with community leaders on both sides of the border as well as the local council and federal agencies.
PNG media has reported that Buzi villagers have now been banned from crossing into Australian territory.
In a statement to SBS, the Department of Immigration and Border Protections DIBP said: “No bans are in place for Buzi villagers travelling under the Torres Straight (sic) Treaty’s traditional visits provision.”
The Boigu islander is due to appear in the Thursday Island Magistrates Court on August 9.
