FEARS Papua New Guinea's HIV epidemic could cross the Torres Strait have sparked a federal inquiry.

 

Australia's close neighbour has the highest incidence of HIV in the Pacific and is just a short boat ride from Australian soil at Saibai Island in the Torres Strait.

 

Queensland Liberal Senator Russell Trood will chair the inquiry into Torres Strait border security amid continuing concerns over drug running from PNG to Australian islands.

 

Senator Trood said he was alerted to health, biosecurity and defence issues in the Torres Strait during recent briefings on Thursday Island.

 

``With AIDS so prevalent in PNG, and it is so easy to transmit . . . I'm surprised it hasn't got more attention,'' Senator Trood said.

 

He said the inquiry had the potential to expose serious breaches in Australia's frontline security.

 

There is free movement between Saibai Island and PNG, and heavy traffic throughout islands in the Torres Strait and Cairns. There are regular flights between Cairns and Horn Island, near Thursday Island.

 

By Renee Viellaris