Prime Minister Hon. James Marape described his visit to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) archives as an emotional and deeply moving experience, as he explored historical recordings and documents capturing Papua New Guinea’s journey to independence.

The ABC, which has had a presence in PNG since the late 1940s, played a significant role in shaping PNG’s early media landscape, contributing to the foundation of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in 1973.

“I want to sincerely thank the ABC for granting me access to its archives, which contain a treasure trove of historical materials—photographs, transcripts, video footage, and audio recordings dating back to the 1940s,” Prime Minister Marape said.

Among the many powerful records he encountered, the highlight was hearing, for the first time, the full recording of former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam’s speech on PNG’s Independence Day, 16 September 1975.

“Listening to Gough Whitlam’s words on the first day of our independence was profoundly moving. His message about the shared destiny of our two nations and the principles of sovereignty and self- determination still resonates strongly today, especially as we prepare to mark 50 years of independence,” Prime Minister Marape stated.

Prime Minister Marape has committed to ensuring these historical records are integrated into educational materials, so that future generations understand the struggles and sacrifices that led to PNG’s independence.

“As part of our 50th-anniversary celebrations, we will compile these historical materials into study resources for schools and create documentaries for radio and television, so that all Papua New Guineans—especially our youth born in the 1980s, 1990s, and beyond—never take our sovereignty for granted,” he said.

“We must remember that our independence was built by a generation that was serious about uniting one of the most diverse nations on the planet into a single country. Their vision and determination must continue to inspire us.”

The Prime Minister also announced that during his visit to Canberra on Monday, he will receive official archival documents predating PNG’s independence, including key legal and policy instruments that shaped the nation’s transition to sovereignty.

“These documents and records will be an important part of our 50th-anniversary conversations. Understanding our history is essential for shaping our future, and I want to ensure that these lessons guide our national discourse and inspire the next generation of leaders,” he said.

He also acknowledged ABC’s continued partnership with PNG’s NBC, which was established with ABC’s support in 1973 and remains a key media institution in the country today.

“I thank the Australian Broadcasting Corporation for its long-standing support—not just in journalism and news, but in preserving the archives and records of PNG’s past. The work ABC does, alongside NBC, ensures that our history remains accessible and continues to educate and inform future generations,” he concluded.

Prime Minister Marape will continue his engagements in Australia before travelling to the Solomon Islands for bilateral discussions and a major fisheries conference