Remarks on the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea independence

In the life of one man or one woman, 50 years is a long time. But in the life of a nation, it is just the beginning. 

And because 50 years sits within the span of the life of one man or one woman, there are people here today who were here on that day — when the Australian flag was lowered for the last time and on this morning, 50 years ago, the beautiful Papua New Guinean flag was raised for the first time. 

Watching was the much younger Grand Chief, Sir Michael Somare and alongside him was another grand chief, Gough Whitlam, the prime minister of Australia. And they were in the presence of a young Prince who today, is our King. 

The grainy footage of that day evidenced a sense of hope and excitement — an optimism about the birth of a new nation.

But the challenge of that nation was daunting; how to unify three million people across 800 different languages, different cultures — from Tari to the Trobriand Islands. From to Kundiawa to Kavieng.

And in so many ways, that challenge seemed unlikely. 

In the opening decade of a new found nation, I first came to Papua New Guinea in 1984 as a 16 year old boy. 

On my second day here we landed on a grass airstrip in the small village of Simbai, in the Madang highlands. 

The entire town came out to welcome us and they marked it in the most incredible sing sing – colour and song. The plumes of birds of paradise, body paint, singing and dancing. And as we got to the town hall, there was a choir who greeted us with that unmistakable, beautiful Papua New Guinean voice — a voice that we heard last night at the State Dinner, a voice which singularly captures joy. 

Over the coming days with our host family, with friends my own age, we learned about custom and culture and it became clear to me then that life was lived in Papua New Guinea in a way that it’s not lived anywhere else on the planet.

In the next few weeks, our senses were amazed. We saw stunning scenery and dramatic mountain trails traversed by bare feet. 

Rickety planes leading themselves off into deep valleys.

Glorious mornings, steamy afternoons and then epic thunderstorms, each and every day. 

There were rope bridges hung across raging rivers. Beautiful waterfalls. Wild boars rummaging through the undergrowth. 

There were steaming volcanoes to welcome the new day. 

And everywhere, in every place, there were the people — the beautiful, the generous, the warm hearted, the spectacular people of Papua New Guinea, with that incredible, unmistakable smile. 

For me, after three weeks, I completely fell in love. But I left this country feeling I had visited the most exotic place in the world.

Now more than 40 years later, having seen much of the world, my view has not changed at all. 

In the last 50 years, Papua New Guinea has achieved so much. A country then of three million people, today is a country of more than 11 million — a thriving economy of agriculture and resources, a country which produces coffee and gold. 

On that day, the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea might have been characterized as that of a parent and a child, a relationship which was characterized by age. But today, 50 years on, that relationship could not be more different. 

Ours is a relationship of economic opportunity, of economic cooperation, of mutual strategic reassurance. Ours is a relationship of two equals, of the closest of friends, of the closest of family. 

And across those 50 years, Papua New Guinea has been regularly democratic, absolutely independent and totally free.

But the great achievement of this country in just 50 years is given expression in the National Pledge: 

“We pay homage to our cultural heritage, the source of our strength.”

The ability to take what is Papua New Guinea’s challenge, the most diverse country in the world, and to make it a national foundation. Across millions of people, thousands of tribes, hundreds of languages, so many different songs, what this country has done its woven all of that into one nation, one people, with one voice.

Today, on this 50th anniversary of the independence of Papua New Guinea, this nation takes its place amongst the community of nations — utterly different, completely unique — making a contribution to the world cultural heritage unlike any other country on the planet. 

So, on this most significant day, I say to all of you: walk tall, be proud, have joy in your heart, because you are Papua New Guinean.

And in every corner of this world, all of us look upon this nation and this people with a sense of wonder and total adoration. 

Tankyu Tumas. 

ENDS