Australians 'disgusted' if digger’s skull displayed

Australians would be disgusted if a skull used to attract tourists in Papua New Guinea was that of a World War II digger, the federal government said yesterday.

A PNG museum has removed a display that included what is believed to be the skull and bone fragments of an Australian World War II serviceman.

Veterans' Affairs Minister De-Anne Kelly said Australia's defence attache in PNG had visited the museum and asked the curator to take the remains off display.

Action was taken after PNG newspapers published photos of the remains on display at Buna, near the start of the Kokoda Track, where Australian troops fought some of their bloodiest battles against the Japanese.

The remains were thought to belong to an Australian because they were found beside pieces of an Australian kit and weaponry, the reports said.

"... the gentleman concerned has agreed not to display the skull," Ms Kelly told Sky News.

"Furthermore, I understand that the village elders have in fact apologised for the display. That's very encouraging and we're pleased that that progress has been made.

"I must say though, I think most Australians, like me, would have been quite disgusted to think that perhaps someone who fought for Australia and perished in battle up there, would be used as a tourist item."

Ms Kelly said the Office of Australian War Graves would try to determine if the remains were those of an Australian, and if so they would be brought home.

" ... if it is in fact from an Australian serviceman we would want to take the skull back and any other remains and see that they were buried in an Australian war grave and properly given the respect and honour due," she said.

The man who put the remains on display seemed to be aware they could be those of a digger, Ms Kelly said.

"We think that he in fact was aware that they could have been Australian remains," she said.

"He has some other relics there - items from the second World War.

"But at this stage what we can say is that we are very pleased with the cooperation he has shown ..."

The incident comes at a sensitive time for Australia-PNG relations.

A diplomatic row has erupted over the treatment of PNG Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare during a recent airport security check.

The Australian government has refused to apologise to Sir Michael, who was insulted by a request at a Brisbane airport last month that he remove his shoes to comply with security procedures.

PNG is threatening to suspend an $800 million security and governance programme from Australia as a result of the brawl.

- AAP