Posted by PNG PM Marape praises legacy of Gough Whitlam
James Marape then speaks more about the legacy of Gough Whitlam:
I want to say thank you to all before him, but more importantly, to the memory of prime minister Whitlam, for being, perhaps, the most socially progressive leader of his time.
For his policy of self determination for Indigenous people of Australia, and for hearing the cries of the founding fathers of Papua New Guinea for our own self determination.
Last night, minister Penny Wong passed on a gem to me as we were sitting at the dinner table.
The [quote from Whitlam] goes like this: ‘If history were to obliterate the whole of my public service career, save my contribution to the independence of an independent Papua New Guinea, I should rest content!’
Mr Whitlam, we honour your memory. Your name is now etched into the history box of Papua New Guinea forever, taught in schools every year, when we raise a flag and celebrate it with our independence on September 16. Hundreds of years from now, when we come and go and pass, even when James Marape moves on from public life … the name Gough Whitlam will forever live on, because of Papua New Guinea, because of Australia and your leadership then and his generation of leaders, Papua New Guinea is independent today. Rest content at God’s bosom, Mr Whitlam.
Key events
James Marape continued:
Nearly 50 years on, our democracy remains strong as ever. Our Constitution as bold as ever since it was mounted first in our assembly on August 15, 1975, under Australian administration.
We have not fallen to the barrel of the gun as many emerging nations globally have fallen to. And our democracy in a land of 1,000 tribes remains vital. Its vitality secured and intact.
Despite the huge challenges, the diversity of culture and languages and a weak economic starting point in 1975, our tribes are still keeping on as one people, one nation, one country, in local allegiance to the Constitution.
Our people are resimient and continue to draw strength from the traditional social support system refined over thousands of years. Since 1975, we have run ten elections.
Many of them had their fair share of challenges. But we unfailingly have produced governments. Yes, there might have been many contests along the way, including votes of no confidence*. But we have remained one democratic nation maintaining the core of democracy in our country. We have not failed to uphold the values and principles of democracy as enshrined in our national Constitution.
*There are suggestions Marape is facing a vote of no confidence when he returns to PNG over administration issues which left public servants unpaid.
Here is what the parliamentary welcome for James Marape looked like, thanks to our very talented video team:
PNG PM Marape praises legacy of Gough Whitlam
James Marape then speaks more about the legacy of Gough Whitlam:
I want to say thank you to all before him, but more importantly, to the memory of prime minister Whitlam, for being, perhaps, the most socially progressive leader of his time.
For his policy of self determination for Indigenous people of Australia, and for hearing the cries of the founding fathers of Papua New Guinea for our own self determination.
Last night, minister Penny Wong passed on a gem to me as we were sitting at the dinner table.
The [quote from Whitlam] goes like this: ‘If history were to obliterate the whole of my public service career, save my contribution to the independence of an independent Papua New Guinea, I should rest content!’
Mr Whitlam, we honour your memory. Your name is now etched into the history box of Papua New Guinea forever, taught in schools every year, when we raise a flag and celebrate it with our independence on September 16. Hundreds of years from now, when we come and go and pass, even when James Marape moves on from public life … the name Gough Whitlam will forever live on, because of Papua New Guinea, because of Australia and your leadership then and his generation of leaders, Papua New Guinea is independent today. Rest content at God’s bosom, Mr Whitlam.
James Marape speaks about the influence of Australia on Papua New Guinea:
The amount of work Australia put into the administration of Papua New Guinea can never be ignored by Papua New Guineans. History holds all of the details, but the greatest and most profound Australian rule impact of the Australian administration is the democracy you left with us.
Our Constitution, our democratic system of government, our judiciary, the public service, the education system, our financial and banking system, and our Christian world view, is what you left in PNG.
You see, me standing here speaking in English.
I learnt that through the school system you set up.
I [believe in a] Christian God that your missionaries brought into Papua New Guinea.
The imprint of Australia is second to none in Papua New Guinea. Your legacies live on.
But let me say, amongst all of the legacy, and if I could be respectful – no greater legacy remains forever in the hearts and minds of Papua New Guinea than the great imprint of Gough Whitlam Labor government, agreeing to the work Menzies may have started. And the generation in the 1960s may have started.
But the final cut in the umbilical cord between Australia and PNG took place under the watch of Prime Minister Whitlam.
Daniel Hurst
Among the audience for James Marape’s speech to parliament are the chief of the Australian defence force, Angus Campbell; the secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Jan Adams; and the US ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy.
‘I speak to you in the language you taught me’: Marape reflects on ‘prophecy’ of PNG leader from 1950s
James Marape:
As I begin my speech, let me start with a reflection.
A leader from the highlands of Papua New Guinea where I am from came to Australia in the 1950s.
… He made a speech in his own mother tongue, because he knew no English. And it drew some laughter from the crowd and he made a statement that is quite sentimental and historic.
He said, “Today, I come to you and speak to you in my language and you’ll laugh at me. One day, my son will come to you and speak in your language, and you will certainly listen.”
Today, as I stand before you in your wonderful house, this prophecy has been fulfilled.
I speak to you in the language you taught me.
James Marape takes the floor.
People of Australia – I want to begin by appreciating firstly and acknowledging the Ngunnawal people, the traditional custodians of the land in which we gather here today.
Yesterday, I was given an extraordinary honour and privilege to witness the welcome to country, and I want to appreciate the elders and people past, today and those who are emerging into the future. I bring to you warm greetings from my people.
People of Papua New Guinea to each and every one of you leaders in this House.
But more importantly, please, as you your constituents, convey our best wishes, our regards, but more importantly, our thankfulness to the good people who have been so kind and wonderful to my people.
Dutton alludes to ‘precarious times’ in region as he welcomes Marape
Peter Dutton:
In your Lowy address, I was moved by your words about Papua New Guinea seizing its own destiny, and not allowing external forces to dictate the direction you take. Australia supports you and your country in that noble endeavour, in the same spirit we welcomed your independence in 1975. Of course, we find ourselves in precarious times.
We find ourselves in times of embolden autocrats who have no hesitation in using inducement, coercion and outright force against other nations to realise their zero sum ambitions.
The autocrats who use the carrot one day and the stick the next, have a complete disregard for sovereignty, for law, and liberty. Our forbears knew only too well the price paid for insecurity and aggression, which goes undeterred.
Indeed, within the … soil of your country and flowing through the blood of Papua New Guineans and Australians, is the memory of the service and sacrifice of our forebears.
May our memory of them compel us to be stronger together through our defence and security cooperation, and may we form fellowships of greater strength with our mutual partners and friends in the Pacific and wider region.
Dutton welcomes PNG leader
Peter Dutton is now welcoming James Marape.
Two nations share a history which has brought you here today, and your presence here today carries with it the weight of that shared history.
In reflecting on that shared history, we reignite our appreciation for Australia and Papua New Guinea’s deep connections, and how we formed an abiding friendship.
There was, of course, our pre-historic beginnings when Australia and Papua New Guinea were a single continent.
Even after melting ice sheets and rising seas separated us some 8,000 years ago, contact was maintained via trade between our two coastal Indigenous populations who island hopped across the Torres Strait.
It was 2015 when Dutton was caught on a hot mic making the joke “time doesn’t mean anything when you’re about to have water lapping at your door” while attending PNG for a meeting with Pacific Island leaders.
How far we have come.
‘Australia will never forget Papua New Guinea’: PM pays tribute to shared WWII history
Anthony Albanese:
Mr Prime Minister, on the other side of the world, in a quiet French village that I’ve had the privilege of visiting, called Villers-Brettoneux – when the children of the local school play in the yard each day, they look up at a big banner, and it says, “Do not forget Australia”.
A sacred command from one generation to the next, given in honour of the memory of more than 3,000 Australians who died defending the town from German attacks during the first world war.
Villers-Bretonneux is a name that lives in Anzac legend. So is Kokoda. And when Australians reflect on the heroism the people of Papua New Guinea showed in the defence of their homeland, when we remember those soldiers and coast catchers serving and sacrificing together, the families and communities who risked their own lives to feed and guide and help Australians in desperate need during our darkest hour, when we remember the care and kindness your people extended to wounded diggers in their hardest moments of pain and fear, I say to you – Australia will never forget Papua New Guinea.
And those words do not need to be displayed on a sign or engraved on a memorial. Because they were written by the courage of your people. And they are recorded in every Australian heart.
Benita Kolovos
Victorian parliament speaker seeks Greens apology for ‘unruly behaviour’
In the Victorian parliament for a moment, the speaker, Maree Edwards, made it clear she is seeking an apology from the four Greens MPs only because they breached parliament’s rules and disrupted the house – not because of their views.
She said:
The request for an apology is for the destructive behaviour that violated the rules of the house yesterday and for no other reason. I add that as this is not the first time that unruly behaviour has occurred. Therefore I will not be seeking apologies for further premeditated and deliberate abuse of the standing orders. Serious disruption will be sanctioned immediately. Particularly those who have been engaged in disruptive behaviour before.
Deputy Greens leader, Ellen Sandell, made the apology on behalf of the whole group, which Edwards accepted – not without interjections from both sides of the chamber that said it was “not good enough”.
Daniel Hurst is in the chamber:
The deputy PM, Richard Marles, is sitting next to Anthony Albanese, but unusually, Penny Wong – who normally sits in the Senate – is next to Marles. Across the table is Peter Dutton and Sussan Ley together with the opposition’s Senate leader, Simon Birmingham.
PNG prime minister James Marape makes history addressing Australian parliament
James Marape is about to become the first Pacific leader to address the Australian parliament.
Anthony Albanese welcomes him:
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.
Our connection stretches back thousands of years to Torres Strait Islanders and Indigenous traders weaving together their cultures and communities.
And while the modern relationship that we celebrate with your visit today has evolved and expanded to include every field of human endeavour – from agriculture and medicine, to education, sport and the frontline of clean energy – our bond still holds true to the spirit of those very first exchanges.
We embrace each other as equals. We learn from each other as neighbours. We are there for each other as mates, especially when times are hard.
And in everything our people do together, we nourish our common interests, our shared values and our unique connections including, of course, a great and growing passion for that mighty cultural institution, rugby league! Sport brings our people together.
It is a part of our shared bond. And prime minister, like you, I hope the day will come when the people of Papua New Guinea can cheer for a team of their own in the national rugby league.
Mike Bowers captured the ceremonial welcome.
James Marape is about to address the parliament.
Benita Kolovos
Jacinta Allan says Greens MPs holding up ‘Stop Arming Israel’ signs in parliament were ‘childish’ and ‘disgraceful’
Back in the Victorian parliament and the Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has lashed the Greens MPs who were kicked out of question time for holding up signs which read: “Vic Labor Stop Arming Israel”.
The speaker, Maree Edwards, has ordered Gabrielle de Vietri, Sam Hibbins, Tim Read and Ellen Sandell apologise to parliament for breaching rules that ban the use of props and for disrupting question time.
Arriving at parliament, Allan told reporters the behaviour was “disgraceful”. She said:
I have sat in the parliament for 24 year, and I have never, ever seen our elected officials behave in such a disgraceful manner, that is showing deep disrespect not just to the Victorian parliament, but to Victorians as a whole. Victorians deserve better than these childish stunts from people who are meant to be members of parliament doing serious business, doing serious work, passing laws debating issues and representing them. Yesterday was completely disgraceful.
Just on the concerns David Littleproud aired on the ABC this morning about the IR bill, there are a few things worth pointing out.
In terms of the biosecurity concerns Littleproud raised over the right of entry for farms, it is probably worth noting that under the deal David Pocock struck with the government, a “guardrail” has been added – the fair work commission “must be satisfied that advance notice of entry into a workplace would hinder an effective investigation into suspected underpayments”.
That is assuming that a union official wouldn’t take a biosecurity risk seriously in the first place.
Pocock also secured the exclusion of livestock transport from the new road transport provisions in the bill (which set out more regulations) which is being seen as a very big win for farmers.
It’s almost as though having a seat at the negotiation table can mean you can influence policy you have concerns over, while just saying no means you just get to speak about it in the media (shrug emoji).
Wong asked about suspension of Palestine agency funding after lack of evidence of links to Hamas attacks
The foreign minister, Penny Wong, has been doorstopped (very quick, unscheduled press conference) ahead of James Marape’s welcome and she was asked about the UK Channel Four investigation into the dossier Israel provided to UNRWA donor countries which alleged the aid agency’s staff were involved in the 7 October Hamas attack. Channel Four said it had seen the dossier, that it was six pages long and contained no evidence to back up the claims.
Australia paused its funding to the aid agency in the wake of the allegations (the financial year core funding had already been distributed but an additional $6m announced by the government in mid-January has been delayed while an investigation into the allegations are carried out)
Q: Minister, are you aware of the reports that the dossier relied on to suspend UNRWA funding does not contain evidence to link the organisation’s staff with the October 7 attacks?
Wong:
Look, I spoke with the head of UNRWA yesterday. Obviously, we recognise the importance of that organisation which is why we doubled the core funding and … I spoke with him about the various inquiries and investigations they are doing.
And we spoke about ensuring that donors such as Australia can have the confidence to ensure that the pause is lifted because this is important for the people of Gaza and the people of the occupied Palestinian territories more broadly.
Daniel Hurst has been reporting on why James Marape is here and what the geopolitical backdrop looks like ahead of his historic address:
Recent reports that PNG and China have entered early talks on security and policing cooperation has alarmed Australian officials, who say Beijing is learning from its mistakes, including an ill-fated attempt by China last year to strike an overarching security and trade agreement with 10 Pacific countries at once.
The PNG government has since stressed its continued appreciation for Australia as an important “traditional security partner”.
Marape’s visit comes at a time of rising pressure at home after an outbreak of deadly unrest and violence in PNG’s capital in January. That led to a string of minsters resigning and this month Marape may face a vote of no confidence as a political process allowing MPs to challenge the PM begins on Friday.
Last month, a state of emergency was declared in Port Moresby in response to rioting and other violence in which at least 16 people were killed. Shops were set on fire and citizens robbed and assaulted after police and public sector workers protested over a pay cut that officials blamed on an administrative glitch.