Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown today expressed great sadness about the ferry tragedy in Papua New Guinea.

"The Greens join all Australians in offering condolences to the family and friends of people missing from the MV Rabaul Queen. We hope that the more than 100 missing persons are found safe, but we understand that this is looking less hopeful."

Senator Brown applauded the steps taken to respond to the tragedy by the Australian Government but reiterated his calls for a regional disaster centre to be established in northern Australia.

"Our closest neighbours, like PNG are vulnerable to natural disasters and do not have adequate resources to respond quickly. There is so much more we could do to offer a rapid response to disasters in our region."