The President of Papua New Guinea's Bougainville, John Momis, says there is no reason why an Australian academic should be blacklisted and removed from the autonomous province.
Earlier this week the national MP for Central Bougainville, Jimmy Miningtoro, called for the Australian National University's Anthony Regan to be banned.
Mr Regan has worked for the Bougainville Government for many years, most recently on the draft mining law. no caption
Photo: Rio Tinto
Mr Miningtoro says Mr Regan has links to mining companies - claims both the academic and President Momis dismiss.
The MP also accused him of not consulting widely enough on the mining law.
But Mr Momis says he wants Mr Regan to stay on.
"There are many other people that have come to Bougainville through the back door - some of whom Miningtoro knows, [who] should be blacklisted. Tony Regan has a track record that speaks for itself. Tony Regan qualifies to work here as long as we need him."
The President of Papua New Guinea's Bougainville, John Momis.
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