Around 9:30am today, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived in Papua New Guinea to begin his two day historic visit.
Prime Minister Albanese and his delegation were given a rousing welcome upon arrival by PNGDF personnel’s 19 gun salute. Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso, Parliament members and senior government officials of PNG were present to welcome Prime Minister Albanese at the Apec terminal in Port Moresby.
PM Albanese was then escorted to the government house, where he met with Governor General Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae before proceeding into Parliament to deliver his address.
PM Albanese was welcomed again by the members and the speaker of the house Job Pomat.
Albanese thanked the members for the warm welcome and addressed the Parliament.
“I am delighted to be the first Australian Prime Minister to visit Papua New Guinea since 2018.”
“And I am deeply, deeply honored to be the first foreign Head of Government to address your Parliament.”
“Australia and Papua New Guinea are the closest of neighbors, we are the greatest of friends.”
“For thousands of years, Torres Strait Islanders and the Indigenous traders of PNG shared culture and kinship, exchanging goods and ideas.”
“That thread runs unbroken through to today: to our modern trade links, our evolving business and investment ties, our migrants and expats, our expanding fields of cultural and educational exchange – even our shared passion for Rugby League.
We are friends. We are mates.
We are partners. We are equals.
“We are neighbors who stand with each other and help each other in times of need.” Albanese said.
Prime Minister James Marape took time out in Parliament to acknowledge the Australian Prime Minister’s visit and outlined some historical ties. Marape said, this visit will strengthen the two countries bilateral relationship in the long run as it was before PNG gained independence.
PM Albanese will be travelling to Wewak Tomorrow, to pay a visit to the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare’s resting place.
In the meantime, preparation is underway in Wewak, East Sepik Province to receive the Australian Prime Minister and his delegation tomorrow.
