Source: Prime Minister of Australia
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: Welcome back to Australia. You are, of course, very familiar, and all of your delegation, I welcome all of you here for what is a very historic day. After this meeting, we will exchange the documents to formally bring into force the Pukpuk Treaty. This is extraordinary. Our first alliance for Australia since 1951. It says something about the relationship between our two great nations. And I say to you, Prime Minister, as well, the personal relationship that we have is so strong, exemplified by us walking Kokoda together, although you were embarrassing me by doing it, by doing it in golf shoes, showing that you are far more suited to the Highlands than me. But it was a wonderful honour for me to celebrate the friendship between our two nations. I also pay my respect to the Australian forces, who, of course, lost their lives there, and also say thank you to the people of PNG. The sporting relationship that we have, of course, is being advanced further today as well. I know you will be going for Queensland tonight, and I accept that with big grace as well. But as long as, I have said to the Prime Minister, we accept Alex Johnston playing for the Chiefs, but no more Souths players, no more. It already is building up excitement here, so I’m sure it’s building up excitement. But we are partners, of course, on defence and security, economic relationships, and people-to-people relationships, as well as sporting rivalry and friendship at the same time. And you are always so welcome here Prime Minister. This is a day that for both of us, I think, will, people will look back and say what were the big achievements, there is no doubt that this, certainly from my perspective, is one of the best things that I will ever do for our nation and your nation as well. Thank you.
< JAMES MARAPE, PRIME MINISTER OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA: