Australia’s Consul-General in New Caledonia has confirmed that the French and Australian governments are working together to bring more Australians home, as a number of new security measures are introduced on the island territory.
The French government says it is planning to introduce a set of rules to help maintain order in the region amid days of violence, rioting, and looting.
Gatherings will be banned, as will the transport of weapons and sale of alcohol, under the new conditions set to be imposed in the region.
A 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew will remain in place until the end of the emergency period is declared.
Meanwhile, the French and Australian governments are continuing to fly Australians back home.
“My team and I are continuing to work on assisted departures of Australians from New Caledonia, in close collaboration with local authorities,” Consul-General Annelise Young said on X on May 22.
Ms. Young shared a document from the French Commissariat, detailing the situation in the past 24 hours.
“The night was quieter than the previous one, despite two fires in the Noumea area,” the statement said.
There are currently 1,050 internal security and civil protection reinforcements on the ground.
“Operations to accompany French and foreign tourists on the archipelago have begun,” the statement said.
A Week of Unrest
In signs that some degree of normality may be returning, 90 road blocks have been cleared so far.Dozens of shops have been able to reopen amid an increased security presence.
But the situation is still far from the usual tranquil environment of the popular island destination.
According to the French government, 84 police officers have been injured since fighting broke out between socialist-led separatists and the government, with 280 rioters arrested.
Six people have died in the chaos.
Several French ministers and President Emmanuel Macron are set to arrive in New Caledonia on Thursday to “set up a mission for dialogue.”
Also on Wednesday, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong took to social media to announce that 108 people, including Australians and other tourists, had arrived in Brisbane from two initial flights from the troubled region.
“Thank you to official who facilitated the flights,” she said.
“We continue to work with partners on further flights, prioritising passengers based on need.”
Fighting in the island territory ramped up in recent weeks due to the indigenous Kanak people, who comprise nearly half the population, objecting to changing voting rules that would allow all residents to vote.
The Noumea Accord, signed in 1998, allowed votes to be cast only by those of native ancestry.
But changes to that voting system would mean French nationals who have lived in the region for at least 10 years would also be allowed to vote.
Meanwhile, the Australian government has updated its advice level for travel to New Caledonia to “reconsider your need to travel,” citing ongoing civil unrest.
Rioting has caused significant damage in the region, with fires, looting and damage to vehicles and property rampant.
Some Australians who made their way home told of hearing gun shots in the distance amid the unrest.
“The La Tontouta International Airport remains closed for commercial flights until further notice,” the Smarttraveller website advises.
“Australians should not attempt to travel to the airport at this stage, as travel on the airport road is not yet considered safe.
“Roads have been damaged, and many have blockades in place. Minimise movement and avoid demonstrations and public gatherings.
“Monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities.”
