Transcript of doorstop interview - Chinese New Year Celebrations

Subjects: Sinking of MV Rabaul Queen in the waters off Papua New Guinea

Transcript, E&OE, proof only

Sydney

2 February 2012

KEVIN RUDD: The Australian Government remains deeply concerned about the loss of life through this accident at sea where we've had some hundreds of people on this ferry travelling from the island of New Britain to the Papua New Guinea mainland.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has been responding to a distress call from very early on. I am advised that several hundred people have been rescued. I'm further advised that a large number still remain missing.

We are coordinating our efforts through merchant vessels in the area. Australian aircraft have been dispatched to the area. This is an ongoing operation.

We are working closely with the Papua New Guinea authorities in Lae. Australian Defence Force personnel are coordinating in particular with their counterparts in Lae, and the Australian High Commission is deploying all necessary assets itself to make sure that the partnership with PNG authorities is as close as possible in this rescue operation.

QUESTION: I just had a quick question about the situation in PNG. What's your latest understanding of developments there?

KEVIN RUDD: Well, our focus on PNG right now is on the rescue operation involving all these people at sea. Our response, consistent with our friendship with the people of Papua New Guinea, and our responsibilities in maritime surveillance operations in this part of the world, is to do everything possible with Australian assets to save as many lives as possible. That's what we're doing. That's our job.

In terms of other internal political developments within PNG internally, we continue to work with the PNG authorities to resolve those peacefully and in a manner which is consistent with PNG's political and constitutional processes.

QUESTION: Have you spoken to Prime Minister Somare since [indistinct]?

KEVIN RUDD: I have been in contact today with the Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister on this search and rescue operation. That's my responsibility, together with my PNG counterpart, to make sure that all efforts are being made to coordinate an important search and rescue operation.

There's a large number of people at sea from a vessel which has gone down in a strait some 60 kilometres wide between New Britain and the Papua New Guinea mainland. That's where our efforts are currently concentrating.

QUESTION: Is Australia looking at expanding its support, its operation there?

KEVIN RUDD: On the question of the search and rescue operation, we'll deploy all necessary assets that are available to us in partnership with the merchant vessels which are in the area, to make sure we save as many lives as possible, that we get those people to shore as quickly as possible, and we support our friends in PNG to get the job done.

Thank you.

ENDS

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