Australians walking a sacred wartime path in Papua New Guinea have been “caught in the middle” of a bitter dispute between its government and local landowners.
About 50 Australians who were part of a Kokoda Track walking group were forced to turn back this week near the village of Naoro, in central PNG, when landowners blocked off the path over unresolved grievances with the government.
Mick O’Malley, owner and trek leader of Australian Kokoda Tours, told 9news.com.au Australian walkers on the track have the ability to leave as negotiations between landowners and government officials continue to resolve the dispute.
READ MORE: Popular hardware chain impacted by ‘cyber incident’
“We’re hoping that could be next week, it’s hard to say … the trekking companies have been caught in the middle of it.”
O’Malley said his company was forced to postpone a trip by 26 walkers scheduled to begin today.
It followed the suspension of another by a group of 18 people planned to start on Wednesday.
The Australian government has updated its travel advice for PNG, warning the Kokoda Track remains closed as negotiations.
It said tourists should check with their hiking companies for the latest updates.
Local media reports the dispute is over claims by landowners that the PNG government has reneged on its pledge to release funds for local socio-economic development projects.
https://twitter.com/Smartraveller/status/1836657695983616282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The PNG Police Commissioner David Manning said there had been no threat to the safety of hikers but officers were monitoring the situation.
An estimated 625 Australian troops were killed fighting a Japanese invasion force on the mountainous Kokoda Track during World War Two.
Their efforts received critical support from local Papuans who carried wounded Australians to hospital and hauled ammunition and other supplies across the rugged terrain.
links to content on ABC
9News
