Foreign Affairs Department yet to identify trafficked PNG nationals in Australia

The Department of Foreign Affairs is yet to identify and provide consular support to Papua New Guineans who were lured to Australia for an education scholarship but were forced into labor.

Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko in a phone interview with NBC News said “no report as yet of those affected [Papua New Guineans needing] assistance [but] we will be there to assist… Foreign Affairs [Department] will provide assistance…"

The country's top diplomat revealed that the woman, aged 56, a dual Australian and Nigerian citizen, but primarily based in PNG, is a person of interest.

" We know about that person for a long time, associated with conning Members of Parliament [and also] manipulate [hard working) people for personal gain."

Minister Tkatchenko further stated the woman allegedly involved in trafficking PNG citizens was red flagged to the Philippine Government by the Department of Foreign Affairs last year.

According to reports from the Australian Federal Police, the Australian and Nigerian citizen lured Papua New Guinea nationals to Australia with fake scholarships before exploiting them has been charged with debt bondage and other human trafficking offences.

She was charged on arrival at Brisbane Airport last Tuesday from a flight from Port Moresby and appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court, the next day.

She is currently out on bail and will appear before the same court on 19 September, 2025.

The AFP website further stated that, "the woman allegedly submitted student visa applications on behalf of 15 nationals who, shortly before or after arrival, were forced to sign legal documents and agree to repay previously unmentioned costs for tuition, airfares, visa applications, insurance and legal fees, putting them in excessive debt.

"She then allegedly forced them to work on Queensland farms and received wages on their behalf, which she withheld as repayments."