PM Offers Reassurance to Aussies Trapped by New Caledonia Violence

Gendarmerie armoured vehicles are seen near a police station in Noumea, France's Pacific territory of New Caledonia, on May 18, 2024. Hundreds of French security personnel tried to restore order in the Pacific island territory of New Caledonia on May 18, after a fifth night of riots, looting and unrest. Delphine Mayeur /AFP via Getty Images

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has characterised his government’s support for Australians stranded in New Caledonia as “amongst, certainly equal to, anywhere in the world.”

However, the leader admitted the Australian Defence Force could not evacuate anyone until authorities on the island declared the airport open.

To date, six people have died in New Caledonia, and hundreds have been injured since violence broke out last week following days of relatively peaceful protests against a proposal by the French government to expand the electoral roll to include more residents in the territory’s elections.

Reports say the Australian consulate has closed, and more than 300 citizens remain stranded in Noumea—while left to organise help for themselves.

While admitting he wasn’t aware of the “precise circumstances” of the consulate, the prime minister said Australia had a “24-hour consular emergency centre.”

We’re Closed: Consulate

The consulate’s website confirms, “The Australian Consulate-General in Noumea is temporarily closed,” and advises people to register on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade crisis portal.

It goes on to tell anyone in New Caledonia requiring urgent consular assistance to call an Australian number and “follow the prompts to be connected to the 24/7 Consular Operations Centre in Canberra for assistance.

“Follow the instructions of local authorities, also relayed by your hotel, and contact your airline or travel agent for assistance with their flight information,” it advises. The consulate provides assistance to citizens of Australia, Canada, Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

French forces have cleared the 60-kilometre-long road from the airport after protesters erected about 60 barricades along its length. But it is not yet open as debris still needs to be cleared, which will take several days.

A damaged building is seen as rioters protest against plans to allow more people to take part in local elections in the French-ruled territory, which indigenous Kanak protesters reject, in Noumea, New Caledonia, May 15, 2024, in this picture obtained from social media. Lilou Garrido Navarro Kherachi/via REUTERS

Despite the obvious difficulties, France has managed to land “around 1,000 additional internal security personnel“ over the past few days to reinforce the 1,700 normally stationed on the island.

The airport, with routes to Australia, Singapore, New Zealand, and other destinations, closed last week.

Australia and New Zealand Planes Grounded

“At the moment, the airport is closed,” Mr Albanese said. “So, the planes can’t get in. But [the] Air Force have been on stand-by for the last 48 hours and they remain ready to provide that assistance to evacuate Australians who wish to leave.

“We continue to pursue approvals because the Australian Defence Force is ready to fly when it’s permitted to do so.”

Australian citizen Tonia Scholes spoke to The Project program on May 19, and said Nouméa “was like a war zone.”

“There’s burnt cars, there’s barricades, there’s remnants of fires, there’s people standing on street corners drinking hard liquor and having what almost seems like a party,” she said.

Local residents in the neighbourhood where she was staying with friends had taken responsibility for their own security.

“They have all banded together to protect what is theirs, and they have 24-hour watches; they walk the streets with big torches. That’s actually our neighbours protecting us, which is just amazing that they’ve embraced us in their neighbourhood, a bunch of Australian girls here for a week and they’re just like ‘don’t worry we’ve got your back.’”

But Ms. Scholes said getting reliable information from the Australian government about evacuation options had been difficult.

“We’re just hoping and waiting for a phone call to say we’ve got some way of getting you out.”

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is also on standby, waiting for permission from French officials to begin repatriation flights for the estimated 250 New Zealanders trapped in New Caledonia.

“New Zealand stands ready to bring New Zealanders in New Caledonia home on NZDF flights as soon as French authorities give permission for these flights to proceed,” a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) spokesperson said.

“New Zealand is exploring possible options, and working alongside Australia and other partners on their planning, to help get New Zealanders in New Caledonia home.”