Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reaffirmed Australia’s close friendship and expanding economic partnership with Papua New Guinea, describing the two nations as “mates, equals and allies” during a keynote address at the PNG Investment Week 2025 Leaders’ Summit in Sydney today.
Speaking to business leaders, government officials and international investors, Albanese said the relationship between Australia and PNG has reached an unprecedented level of closeness, noting that no previous Australian and PNG prime ministers had met as frequently as himself and Prime Minister James Marape.
“That represents progress — progress that is in the interests of Australia, but also very much in the interests of Papua New Guinea,” Albanese said as he welcomed delegates from across the Pacific and around the world.
The Prime Minister reflected on shared milestones between the two leaders, including addressing each other’s Parliaments, commemorating ANZAC Day together at Isurava, and jointly trekking the Kokoda Track.
“We are, of course, the nearest of neighbours… and with the signing of the Pukpuk Treaty, we are allies too,” he said.
“It formalises a deep and enduring truth — we are mates. We are equals.”
He highlighted the significance of the new security alliance, describing it as only Australia’s third in history, and said it recognises that Pacific security must be led from within the Pacific family.
Turning to economic ties, the Prime Minister pointed to record two-way goods trade of $8.1 billion in 2024–25, and welcomed the expansion of PNG’s agricultural exports, including coffee, cocoa and vanilla, supported by strengthened biosecurity and infrastructure links.
“Australian markets are hungry for PNG’s exceptional produce,” he said.
Key initiatives outlined included the upgrade of 47 kilometres of the Wau Highway in Morobe to support rural commerce, the joint redevelopment of the Kokoda Highway to honour shared history while opening new economic routes, more than $600 million in upgrades to five major ports across PNG, and continued investment in climate-resilient infrastructure and agriculture.
“These projects ensure the benefits of development flow straight back into PNG, strengthening its status as an essential economic partner in the Pacific,” he said.
Albanese commended initiatives aimed at building PNG’s skills and education pathways, as well as improvements in health services, digital infrastructure and renewable energy, describing human capital as “PNG’s greatest resource”.
The Prime Minister welcomed progress toward establishing a PNG NRL franchise, the PNG Chiefs, saying elite sport investment would deliver major benefits in tourism, infrastructure and youth development.
“When young Papua New Guineans see a pathway into the NRL — they are encouraged to stay in school, to train, to pursue big dreams,” he said.
Mr Albanese also confirmed that direct Qantas flights between Sydney and Port Moresby will resume in March 2026, boosting tourism, business travel and family connections.
“At the end of the day, business-to-business relations are important, government-to-government relations are important — but nothing beats people-to-people,” he said.
In closing, the Prime Minister urged investors to support the summit’s goal of building a Pacific region that protects sovereignty, strengthens democracy and expands prosperity.
“Papua New Guinea and Australia are two houses with one fence,” Albanese said, echoing comments earlier made by Prime Minister Marape.
“We all benefit from a neighbourhood that is more peaceful, more stable and more prosperous.”