People smugglers 'using Torres Strait from PNG'

Queensland's Health Minister says people smugglers have been getting people into Australia from Papua New Guinea, across the Torres Strait.

People smugglers 'using Torres Strait from PNG'

Queensland's Health Minister says people smugglers have been getting people into Australia from Papua New Guinea, across the Torres Strait.

 

And Lawrence Springborg says the Rudd government's new policy to send asylum seekers to PNG will make the problem worse.

 

Mr Springborg says the federal government has admitted Australia's border with PNG is porous, recently giving Queensland $18-million to help treat PNG citizens who cross over for medical treatment.

 

He told Aileen Phillips, people smugglers have become aware of the lack of border control, and have started to exploit it.