The governor of Western Province in Papua New Guinea, Bob Danaya, says the National Maritime Safety Authority should lead the probe into the Rabaul Queen tragedy, which left up to 300 people missing.
Earlier this week the prime minister, Peter O'Neill announced that the Australian Maritime Safety Authority would conduct the investigation.
He says his government has chosen Australian investigators because of their experience.
But the Post Courier reports Governor Danaya as saying the PNG authority must take the lead in the investigations with international support, probably from Australia.
He says the government must have confidence in local experts.
