Australia and PNG Prime Ministers walk part of Kokoda track

 The Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea holds a significant history of war that cements the bond between Australia and Papua New Guinea decades on.

It was in 1942 the Australians and local PNG Fuzzy Dizzy Angels fought side by side to stop the advancing Japanese forces. 

In politics this historical war event bonds Australia and PNG as brothers, sisters and friends. 

After a three days visit to Papua New Guinea, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese departed Port Moresby Thursday morning (26 April, 2024).

He becomes the first sitting Australian Prime Minister to partially walk the famous Kokoda track from Kokoka to Isurava and commemorated the first ANZAC day dawn service there.

Although Albanese’s visit was supposed to be low key, his counterpart James Marape said would be remiss of PNG not to afford the chief leader of a close friend a great honor.

It began on Tuesday evening when Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was hosted to a pre- ANZAC Day dinner at Papua New Guinea’s Parliament house by Prime Minister James Marape.

Mr Marape acknowledged Mr Albanese and his Australian people as brothers and sisters, a country PNG cannot take for granted.

He said Australia stood side by side with PNG through thick and thin and due respect must be reciprocated when their leader visits.

Both Prime Ministers took the historical Kokokda Track and ended with a first ever ANZAC day dawn service at Isurava before arriving in Port Moresby and Albanese departed for Australia just after 9am Thursday morning.

Mr Albansese posted on his social media LinkedIn : 

"Courage. Endurance. Mateship. Sacrifice.

Words that adorn the Memorial at Isurava on the Kokoda Track where I was honoured to commemorate Anzac Day at a moving ceremony, together with PNG Prime Minister James Marape.

It is heartening to see so many Australians who have made the journey to be here.

We paused to remember the sacrifices of those who fought to defend this land.

Anzac Day asks us to stand against the erosion of time, and to hold on to their names. To hold on to their deeds.

We will remember them.

Lest we forget."

In a typical Australian country fashion wearing akubra hats and stockman boots, Mr Albanese emerged from his vehicle walked on the red carpet and greeted PNG officials before chatting a bit longer with PNG Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko and then ascended to his waiting Royal Australian Airforce plane.

While in the country he said walking side by side and step by step with Mr James Marape is an important symbolism of walking together for a better future and reigniting the Kokoda Spirit during war

He said Australia is committed to helping PNG to develop the social and economic sectors and improve security in the Indo Pacific Region.

Australia and the United States have been concerned about the influence of China in the region recently.

Mr Albanese said both countries have to shape the future today as partners, neighbours and friends.

He has been the Australian Prime Minister to visit PNG every year, invited James Marape as the first Pacific Island leader to address the Australian Parliament and Mr Albanese has promised to be back in PNG to commemorate 50 years of Independence next year.