Papua New Guinea’s PM to Visit Australian Parliament, Address Beijing’s Influence

As concerns mount about Beijing’s push into the Pacific, the visit of PNG PM James Marape further cements growing security ties between the two countries.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (2nd R) participates in an official signing ceremony with Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape (2nd L) at Parliament House in Canberra on December 7, 2023. Hilary Wardhaugh/AFP via Getty Images

Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape begins an official visit to Australia today, during which he will address both houses of parliament—the first in-person address by a foreign leader since 2020.

He will also have one-on-one talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, building on the Bilateral Security Agreement signed last year, and address security and economic cooperation, infrastructure, and “deepening people-to-people links.”