According to Anthony Albanese, defence, climate change and economic opportunity are all part of the special relationship Australia and Papua New Guinea share, and that the future of both nations “will go forward together”.
Ahead of his two-day journey on the Kokoda trail alongside PNG counterpart James Marape, the Australian prime minister described the experience as one that followed the footsteps of giants.
“James Marape and I will walk side by side, step by step, together. It symbolises the fact that Australia and Papua New Guinea’s future is together,” Albanese told a community reception in PNG’s Oro and Northern Provinces on Tuesday.
“This is a relationship that is based upon the people to people relationships. They were forged during that period at the Kokoda Track.”
The PM will mark Anzac Day (April 25) on the Kokoda Track. He paid tribute to the veterans who defended Australia and PNG in World War II, and fought together along the way.
“The Australian people will never forget the extraordinary bravery, courage, resilience and support that the soldiers, but also, those who were assisting Australians from Papua New Guinea, did during that darkest hour of 1942,” Albanese said.
“I pledge that our journey over the coming days until we will commemorate the sacred day for Australia of Anzac Day on Thursday at the Isurava Memorial, will be regarded as when we took that extra step forward in forging a relationship of brothers and sisters.”
Next year PNG will celebrate 50 years of independence. Albanese described the last 49 years of sustained self-government in PNG as a “remarkable achievement” – particularly for a community that was so diverse.
“More than 830 languages in this great country, but you are united,” the PM said.
“I thank you, Prime Minister Marape, for your leadership of this nation, for your friendship with Australia.”
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