Prime minister Anthony Albanese will join Australians in Papua New Guinea (PNG) for ANZAC Day on the Kokoda Track.
The prime minister will spend two days walking the trail, joining Australians and Papua New Guineans at the annual Anzac Day dawn service at the Isurava memorial.
He will be the first sitting prime minister to traverse the track.
Albanese said Kododa is a name that lives in Australian legend.
“The Kokoda campaign and the Kokoda Track form part of our national identity, a defining chapter in the story of those who risked and lost their lives in defence of Australia and in our shared history with PNG,” he said.
“Participating in this walk is a solemn way to honour to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who walked this same ground, people from PNG and Australia, serving and sacrificing together in defence of their home.”
“It captures the spirit of courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice forged between Australia and PNG during World War II.”
Every year, Australians and Papua New Guineans walk the Kokoda Track to test their limits and reflect on the sacrifices made during the Kokoda campaign.
Between July and November 1942, Australians and Papuans cooperated to prevent Japanese forces from seizing Port Moresby, fighting a series of desperate battles along the Kokoda Trail — a mountain pass that connects the north of PNG to Port Moresby.
About 56,000 Australians were involved. About 625 were killed and 1,600 wounded along the track.
Dysentery and malaria proved more dangerous than bullets, with 4,857 evacuated from the mountains, sick.
While Albanese’s trek was originally designated a “low-key” visit, it has been upgraded in importance by the PNG government.
PNG prime minister James Marape told local media he will join Albanese on the trail in the spirit of being a good host.
“It will be unfair on him and the Australian people if the prime minister of PNG does not accompany him on his stay wherever he is,” he said.
“I will walk until he stops. I will also stop when he stops.”
While Albanese will be the first sitting prime minister to walk the Kokoda Track, he follows a long line of politicians who have taken part in Anzac day rituals along the trail.
Notably, both Kevin Rudd and Paul Keating visited the Kokoda Track shortly before assuming the prime ministership.
Deputy prime minister and minister for defence Richard Marles will also spend Anzac Day overseas, delivering the commemorative address at the Gallipoli service in Turkey.
While there, he will meet with Turkish defence minister Yasar Guler before travelling to the United Arab Emirates to meet with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other senior leaders, and Australian Defence Force personnel.
Marles said it was an honour to represent Australia at the Gallipoli dawn service.
“Australia deeply appreciates Turkey’s continued hospitality and generosity in supporting these commemorations,” he said.
“In the lead up to Anzac Day, it will be an honour to visit Australian personnel serving in the Middle East, and we thank the UAE for their generosity in hosting them.”
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