Australia and PNG are 'close in every sense of the word': Albanese

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called it a "great pleasure" to welcome Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape to Australia's parliament.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Australia, it is a great pleasure to so warmly welcome you to the heart of our democracy,” Mr Albanese said.
“You are the first leader of another nation to address us in this chamber since 2020 and the first leader of a Pacific Island nation to address the Australian parliament ever.
“It is fitting that such an honour belongs to Papua New Guinea - Australia and Papua New Guinea are close in every sense of the word.
“We are the nearest of neighbours, the most steadfast and trusted of partners, and the very oldest of friends.”

[@EsUzasi]

As a Papua New Guinean, I understand the concerns surrounding Australian taxpayer funds being directed to our country. However, it's crucial to consider the broader implications of this support. It's not merely about providing financial assistance; it's also about cultivating strong partnerships and bolstering regional stability through the dissemination of influence and the provision of aid to neighboring nations in need. While many Australian citizens may prioritize redirecting their taxpayer funds internally, we must acknowledge the potential ramifications. If Australia withdraws its support, there's a risk of China emerging as a prominent player in the Pacific, which could introduce security challenges. While collaboration with China could offer opportunities, we tend to prioritize our traditional partners (family) when it comes to security matters. Ultimately, stability and peace serve as the foundation for prosperity. Therefore, it's crucial for AusAid to continue if Australia wishes to maintain its position as a key player in Oceania. ✌

[@littletony1764]

The Australian taxpayer fund PNG a half a billion dollars every year and they got even more money this trip - wow - Australia is out there funding the world and yet Aussies struggle financially with millions living in poverty and thousands on the streets! But hey, we are such a great caring and giving country for everyone else but ourselves.

[@EsUzasi]

Hey, I get where you're coming from with the whole taxpayer money thing, but let's not forget the bigger picture. Australia's support for Papua New Guinea isn't just about handouts - it's about building strong relationships and keeping the region stable. Sure, if Australia wants to take a step back, that's their call. But hey, if they do, they might just find China stepping in as the new big player in the Pacific. And while partnering with China could have its perks, we've gotta make sure it's in our best interests too, right? At the end of the day, stability and peace are what leads to prosperity, and working with both Australia or China can help us get there.

[@debsalle5189]

@@EsUzasi Em nau. Mi laik tok na yu tok. Stability and Security.

[@littletony1764]

All true. But don’t forget, China is Australia’s largest trading partner and are playing key roles economically in Australia. China now owns key ports, mines, agricultural land, dairy processors, valuable real estate, state-sponsored schools, plus water and energy in Australia - but we must give billions of dollars a year to PNG and neighbouring islands to keep China at bay? Doesn’t make sense to me. If the US and everyone else can do business around the world, why can’t China?

[@littletony1764]

All true. But don’t forget, China is Australia’s largest trading partner and are playing key roles economically in Australia. China now owns key ports, mines, agricultural land, dairy processors, valuable real estate, state-sponsored schools, plus water and energy in Australia - but we must give billions of dollars a year to PNG and neighbouring islands to keep China at bay? Doesn’t make sense to me. If the US and everyone else can do business around the world, why can’t China?

[@EsUzasi]

@@littletony1764 I agree with you. It seems like the U.S and West are urging Australia to bolster its defense capabilities, aiming to offset China's growing influence in the Pacific region. This push stems from their perceived threat from China and their desire to maintain their dominant position. Unfortunately, Australia appears to be caught in the middle, being used as a strategic instrument by U.S and the West. We are all pulled into the geopolitics game whether we like it or not.

[@christopherharrold3045]

peter duton nailed it . albo didn't even help when they had the wage glitch in P N G what a two faced hypocrite.

[@kevinyowait2463]

Thank you Australia for bringing modernization to PNG. Many other countries in the world gained independence through war, voilance, blood shed. Australia never did that to PNG. PNG is the only country in the world to gain freedom from Australia. Im a resident in a province called, Milne Bay. When the Japanese came to Milne Bay in WWII, they killed the indigenous man & raped the women. The next night, when the Australian Imperial forces heard of those atrocities that time in 42, they bombed the japanese base killing the Japanese troops and its camp on Milne Bay. This is the first time in the history of PNG that a PNG PM has thanked Australia. We owe Australia alot. Even when many times we forgot that Australia was around, you've always helped us when we least expect it. Natural disaster for eg, Volcanic eruption in Rabaul, 1999, Sandline Crisis, etc.... PMJM is right, PNG will never forget. When Australia was experiencing Bush fires, PNG remembered your help in the past, thats why we donated funds eventhough we have so much unemployment in PNG people still gave from their hearts. So thats why well never forget, no matter the situation. Commenting from Alotau Milne Bay Province Papua New Guinea South Pacific. 🇵🇬 👌

[@xlionpokaran2608]

Thankyou Australia 🇦🇺 Thankyou PM Australia 🇦🇺 ❤

[@lisamalotgare1247]

Thank you PM Albenesi for acknowledging the special relationship that the two nations share

[@PatrickSiamol-zv1dd]

Great speech Australian Prime Minister and Papua New Guinea

[@PipiPudiasMesa-jg3rq]

AUSTRALIA, PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU..

[@papuan-black]

Thank you Australia 🇦🇺

[@RaycohXI]

Mr Marape asked Australia to support with AUD300M in cash. There's enough bluff and corruption by the current PNG Government. If Auss is to provide support to that amount, tie it to a monitoring and evalution programe on how this cash will be spent with results delivered. Otherwise, look at our eoconomic status, this PNG Gov has fucked our economy. Life is now very hard in PNG.

[@jonwaks]

Thank you PM of Australia, we the PNGians will love you Australian people forever. We are family and we are blessed..❤ thank you for your nice speach.

[@SamuelAnea]

Wonderful statement Papua new Guinea and Australia deep connection

[@posaheni5171]

Thank you Australia🙏

[@rogersassah258]

Thank you Australia, PNG by your side Oceania will sit back and accept democracy that make us as one. We will win our Asian neighbor to be family members too.

[@PatrickSiamol-zv1dd]

I'm interested in your system

[@user-hp2tp8pm3w]

I love the powerfull speech made by PNG prime minister

[@simonlagud1585]

Png is australian former territory snd we are happy to be more influenced by Australia which is supposed to be,but china stepped in that space instead.thanks to australia now it realized it and takes its rightfull space of influence.

[@MatthewSwift-xc8sn]

I will be visiting PNG next week I have always wanted to do this history brings us together however i worry greatly about China offering what we are unable to match and not the peoples but what governments might do that bring our nations into conflict.

[@user-hp2tp8pm3w]

Brother don't worry about China..You are most welcome to Papua New Guinea

[@Fredda-mx8nn]

This is a very challenging towards Papua new guinea and Australia combinations to us as Ariel views of the past and present destination in current events devastating to our future live hood that will not steady together as one peace agreement because indigenous of climate change bit the cult world no matter how law and order approved 8:12

[@MrKenng123]

Just don't mend the ties with China. Just maintain the status quo is good enough. 😮😊

[@barbarakisak]

🇵🇬👏

[@robinwood590]

The unlawful Australian Govenment has close relationship with the PNG Government only the People are believed to be different in that view.

[@Hinz853]

I think Anthony Albanese is scripted lol

[@leeevans2929]

PNG independence??? Then why do they need our tax payers money. This speech is typical of Elmer’s virtue signalling

[@ZELJKO472]

PNG is smart. It plays Albo like a fiddle. PNG under China control but they like Albo's money

[@leeevans2929]

@@ZELJKO472 but only thing is, it’s not albos money, it’s OURS. He just likes giving it away

[@BayubeAregao-po5xq]

NRL??? REALLY???? 😂😂😂😂 Another Roman Empire tactic. Does PM think that will go unnoticed? 😂😂😂😂

[@user-ot3gt9of8x]

Thank you China for your influence in the Pacific thus causing the Western nations to go into panic mode now

[@raecarver2382]

Oh boy, how much is this one going to cost the hardworking taxpayers??

[@Barney_Rubble247]

He's not coming for a bag of peanuts.

[@raecarver2382]

@@Barney_Rubble247 exactly.👍

[@user-im9ju4hx8s]

PNG is double dipping.

[@mnstark3342]

you guys are racists dogs

[@savagegfry]

Sleezy really does dribble rubbish. Hardly a word he said is based in truth.

[@ZEEMMEQKAVEN-wz3jt]

PNG 🇵🇬 doesn't need Australia more but Australia it self force to give us Australian tax payers money to us,, otherwise we don't need you but we need Chinese help.

[@davidr4332]

That why he lost the YES campaign FFS