Prime Minister James Marape says Papua New Guinea’s relationship with Australia has evolved into an equal partnership focused on creating more opportunities for people, businesses and both countries.
Speaking after the annual Papua New Guinea–Australia Leaders’ Dialogue this week. PM Marape said the meeting reaffirmed the close relationship between Port Moresby and Canberra and their commitment to working together on shared priorities and regional issues.
He said in a statement that Australia remained Papua New Guinea’s closest foreign partner because of the two countries’ shared history, democratic values, free-market economies and longstanding people-to-people connections.
“Under my government, we have deliberately elevated this relationship from one of traditional cooperation to one of equal partnership, where both countries work together with mutual respect, shared interests and common aspirations,” Mr. Marape said.
He said while initiatives such as the Bilateral Security Treaty and Papua New Guinea’s entry into Australia’s National Rugby League competition had attracted public attention, they represented only part of a much broader partnership.
“The real objective is to strengthen connections between our people, expand business-to-business engagement, increase investment flowing both ways, and create more opportunities for Papua New Guineans and Australians alike,” he said.
Mr. Marape said Papua New Guinea wanted to attract more Australian investment while encouraging PNG businesses to explore opportunities in Australia as both economies became more closely integrated.
He said Australia’s growing demand for skilled workers presented significant opportunities for Papua New Guineans.
“Australia faces significant labour shortages across many sectors, including construction, trades, healthcare, aged care, policing and defense,” he said.
“My government has consistently encouraged Australia that, whenever it looks overseas to meet labour shortages, Papua New Guinea should be considered among its first partners.”
Mr. Marape said Papua New Guineans had the skills, work ethic and cultural compatibility to make valuable contributions to Australia’s workforce while gaining experience and income that would also benefit PNG’s economy.
He also welcomed expanding defence cooperation between the two countries, saying joint training and exchange programmes would strengthen the professionalism and capability of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.
“This cooperation is not only about strengthening Australia’s defence capability but also about building the professionalism, discipline and capacity of our own Papua New Guinea Defence Force through training, exchanges and shared experience,” he said.
Mr. Marape said the relationship between the two countries had become stronger, more balanced and more mature in recent years.
“Our shared objective remains clear: to build a relationship that delivers tangible benefits for our people, strengthens our economies, promotes regional stability and creates greater opportunities for future generations of Papua New Guineans and Australians,” he said.