JANUARY 17, 2023
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says for the first time in 47 years of Independence for Papua New Guinea from Australia, an Australian Government and Prime Minister are addressing all outstanding issues between both countries.
He said this today (Tuesday, January 17, 2023) when commenting on the visit by Australian Prime Minister, Hon. Anthony Albanese, last Thursday (January 12, 2023) and Friday (January 13, 2023).
“We do not want the moment of the visit of PM Albanese to be wasted,” PM Marape said.
“There have been many bilateral meetings and visits, but this one was historic, in that he also addressed our Parliament.
“Australia is committed to addressing all the outstanding issues with us. I have already written a letter to PM Albanese thanking his for the visit and the issues that he raised.
“If you listened to his speech, he talked about increasing the trade relationships between our two countries, including in agriculture and food production. PM Albanese also talked about increased people-to-people relationships, addressing visa issues, exchange programmes between our police and military, public service, interventions in health and infrastructure, among others.
“This visit was not about requesting money. We never requested any money from Australia or did they make a commitment to help us with money.
“This visit was all about the outstanding bilaterals we have with them. We want to finetune and improve this relationship to one that will anchor Australia and PNG going forward.
“Our upcoming meeting between Australia and PNG Ministers in February will consolidate this and move things forward. We want to achieve results and do not want this to be another round of wasted bilateral visits.”
PM Marape added: “The relationship between our two countries is no ordinary relationship.
“Australia and PNG have a strong foundational relationship from our colonial shared history up to today.”
In Parliament today, PM Marape thanked all MPs for allowing PM Albanese to address Parliament last Thursday.
He said he would present a full report on PM Albanese’s visit later to Parliament.
“I thank everyone for allowing the guest of our country, Australian Prime Minister Hon. Anthony Albanese, to have a presence in our Parliament and address our people,” PM Marape said.
“A big thank you to all MPs, from the Speaker down, for allowing him to be in our Parliament last Thursday.
“On Friday, he visited Wewak where he paid his respect to the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare, as well as visited one or two other places.
“We had an official farewell and sendoff in Wewak, and he made a transition out of Port Moresby (back to Australia).”
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