Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

Papua New Guinea is not only our closest neighbour; we also share a long and very close history. Let's not forget that 650 Australians lost their lives during the Kokoda campaign in 1942, and this number would have been much larger had it not been for the people of Papua New Guinea. Who can forget that iconic photograph of the Australian soldier being guided by a fuzzy wuzzy angel? We want to ensure that the 75th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign is commemorated properly—through special ceremonies, through publications, through different development projects along the track and through the development of a military heritage strategy. We have assisted the government of Papua New Guinea, the National Museum and art gallery and the conservation and environment protection authority to work with local communities. (Time expired)