Anthony Albanese

Marape was responding to questions raised by MP for Chuave, James Nomane on a video posted on social media by Australian Media claiming that PNG will be seeking more funding from Albanese’s trip. 

“This visit was not about requesting money. We never requested any money from Australia or did they make a commitment to help us with money.

“This visit was all about the outstanding bilaterals we have with them. We want to fine tune and improve this relationship to one that will anchor Australia and PNG going forward.

The visit took place on the second day of his two-day visit to Papua New Guinea; the first for any Australian Prime Minister in over four years.

Both prime ministers were received by the Somare family into their home where respects were paid by the leaders to a great man and leader in Sir Michael.

Following the visit to the Somare residence, the delegation laid wreaths and paid respects at Mission Hill Boys Town.

The Mission Hill was the site of the Japanese 18^th Army headquarters. It saw heavy fighting in May 1945.

Anthony Albanese, while addressing the PNG parliament, added that our Pacific neighbours are counting on PNG and Australia to support international co-operation to show leadership and to take action.

He said, “There is not a moment to waste. It is up to our generation to protect the precious and unique natural environment of our rainforests, reefs and coasts. To build – and plan – our infrastructure so our communities are more resilient and better prepared for natural disasters.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed when addressing Parliament today; stating that this is more than they have invested in India, Indonesia or Malaysia.

He said Australia will support PNG in the downstream processing policy driven by the Marape-Rosso Government.

PM Albanese said Australia understood that PNG is eager to expand its exports of more processed goods and varied agricultural products and these are areas where Australian business community can play a key role.

Mr Albanese will use his historic speech to PNG’s parliament on Thursday to restate his support for a Pacific Islander team to compete in the NRL, saying Australia and PNG have a “shared passion for rugby league”.

“Today I affirm my view that I want to see a PNG-based, Pacific Islander team compete in the National Rugby League competition,” he is expected to say.

“Sport is such a genuine and powerful way of building strong and lasting ties between our peoples, at a code and club and community and family level.

Key points:

• Australia and PNG hope to strengthen ties during Anthony Albanese's two-day visit 
• Security has become a key focus for the region after China and Solomon Islands signed a defence pact 
• Australian aid remains contentious among some Papua New Guineans concerned about debt levels and corruption

Australian flags have been hoisted across Port Moresby, and Mr Albanese's face has been put up on billboards, alongside PNG Prime Minister James Marape's.

“I will reciprocate tomorrow on our nation’s behalf. We entrench our own bilateral relationships for the better going forward.”

The Prime Minister emphasized that Papua New Guinea has a stronger bilateral relationship with Australia that it does with other countries.

“We have more business-to-business, person-to-person, and government-to-government with Australia than we have with all other bilateral relations.”     

PM Albanese will be welcomed at the APEC Terminal to a guard of honour and a 19-gun salute.

PM Marape says, at half past 10 tomorrow, Albanese will pay a courtesy call to the Governor General at the Government House.

At 11 o’clock, the Australian PM will then address Parliament at the invitation of the National Government.

Marape said, “At 11 o’clock he is scheduled to come and address our national parliament at our invitation. At our government’s invitation and with the Speaker’s concurrence and clearance by the Clerk of Parliament.

The weekend's election result has the Liberal Party on the hunt for a new leader, with Peter Dutton emerging as the most likely replacement for Scott Morrison.

Mr Albanese will be sworn in with his deputy, Richard Marles, and frontbenchers Penny Wong, Jim Chalmers and Katy Gallagher.

He and Senator Wong, the incoming foreign affairs minister, will fly to Japan later today to meet with the leaders of the Quad — the United States, India and Japan.