Zed Seselja (ACT, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

It's an honour to say a few words to support this condolence motion today on the passing of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, Papua New Guinea's first Prime Minister. Can I say it was an honour to represent the government at the very moving memorial service that was held in the high commission here in Canberra over the weekend.

As Minister for International Development and the Pacific, I'm acutely aware of how significant Sir Michael's leadership of Papua New Guinea was, including for Australia's relationship with our region. In the 1960s and 1970s, as Sir Michael Somare was emerging politically and growing in his influence, questions of self-determination and democracy were at the heart of national affairs in Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guineans wanted independence, and Australia too wanted PNG to emerge as a successful independent nation.

At such a time, the emergence of political self-determination could have happened in a number of different ways. In so many countries independence was won through violence. Fortunately, as we know, a determined and charismatic Sir Michael Somare guided PNG along an entirely peaceful path, and an independent sovereign nation emerged in 1975. The Australian flag was respectfully lowered in PNG, not torn down. It is to Sir Michael's enduring credit that he not just managed to forge unity of PNG's diverse peoples but simultaneously presided over the negotiation of an enduring political compact with Australia. Our two countries worked together on independence and have continued to partner on securing a sustainable and sovereign path of development for PNG.

Sir Michael's successes in building consensus and building relationships across the region meant that he developed strong ties with successive Australian governments and leaders, from Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser through to Bob Hawke, John Howard and Prime Ministers Rudd and Gillard. Australia's relationship with Papua New Guinea under Sir Michael Somare in his successive terms as Prime Minister set the tenor for Australia's broader engagement with the Pacific. Sir Michael came to symbolise PNG's independence movement, but he also ensured that its independence was more than symbolic. His enduring focus was on PNG's ability to forge a unique national identity, govern independently and sustain itself economically.

At the point of independence, Australian financial support for Papua New Guinea was significant. Of course it was since PNG had been an Australian territory for several decades. But neither side wanted a long-term relationship of financial dependence. Under Sir Michael's stewardship, and that of subsequent PNG leaders, PNG built its economy and developed its self-reliance. Guided by PNG's priorities as a sovereign nation, Australia continues to provide a helping hand, but we do so in ways that Sir Michael Somare helped establish. We do so as peers—sovereign, independent and free—but linked fundamentally by our past, our present and our future.

Right through to 2021 and the continuing COVID era, our partnership with PNG seeks to enhance health security, deepen economic sustainability and strengthen regional stability. We continue to champion self-determination and locally driven decision-making throughout the Pacific, just as we did in 1975. Self-determination, consensus building and respectful partnerships to advance security, prosperity and stability in the Pacific is a legacy that sir Michael has helped bequeath to Australia's relationships with our nearest neighbours.

In closing, I would like to recognise Sir Michael's family—Lady Veronica, their children and their grandchildren. Most profoundly I acknowledge with gratitude the extraordinary contribution Sir Michael Somare made to the tradition of peaceful cooperation that binds the Pacific today. May he rest in peace.