Keenan off to PNG for policing talks

Fighting transnational crime and corruption will be on the agenda when the federal justice minister heads to Papua New Guinea for talks with his ministerial counterparts.

Michael Keenan leaves on Tuesday for three days of official talks including meetings with Attorney-General Kerenga Kua, Police Minister Nixon Duban and other senior officials.

Mr Keenan wants to hear about PNG's progress in setting up an independent corruption watchdog.

He will also visit the Australian Federal Police missions in Port Moresby and Lae to hear about co-operation on policing.

The visit comes just days after the PNG riot squad was sent to a disturbance at the Australian-run Manus Island detention centre following a ruckus on Sunday.

Police had to round up 35 escaped asylum seekers. Eight were arrested and 19 needed medical treatment.