Prime Minister James Marape and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held the fourth Papua New Guinea-Australia Annual Leaders' Dialogue on 12 January 2023 in Port Moresby.

We reaffirm our commitment to further enhance strategic cooperation between Papua New Guinea and Australia through the development of a Bilateral Security Treaty (BST), pursuant to the 2020 Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (CSEP).

As near neighbours, close friends and equal partners, Papua New Guinea's and Australia's defence and security is deeply connected. We share a mutual strategic interest in a safe, stable, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. We have a proud history of working together in the interests of the region.

JAMES MARAPE, PRIME MINISTER OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA: I just want to appreciate you, once again, for coming by. On our side, our Ministers are assembled in the order of our agendas for discussion today. We represent a full Cabinet. I want to acknowledge that this is the first meeting between Australia and Papua New Guinea leadership for some time now, especially in a formal setting like this. We sincerely appreciate it, but we also take on board, we're coming out from the COVID-19 induced restrictions.

I would like to acknowledge the Indigenous landowners of the land on which we gather tonight. I pay my respects to the Motu Koitabu people.

Prime Minister Marape, distinguished guests.

Gutpela nait yupela olgeta
[Good evening to you all]

Thank you very much for those kind words of welcome at the end of what has been a moving and memorable day.

To be the first foreign Head of Government invited to address your Parliament was a great honour.

And not just for me personally – but for the country I lead and the people I serve.

JAMES MARAPE, PRIME MINISTER OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA: We just concluded a very thoughtful leaders dialogue. In fact, this is the fourth PNG-Australia Leadership Dialogue. And it was fruitful, it was very meaningful, especially sitting in a room talking to the leader of a nation that has a very close affinity with Papua New Guinea. It is one that is mutual. A meeting that you could expect from a brother or a sister nation.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I also thank the traditional owners for giving us permission to be here today. Can I particularly think, as well, the Somare family for the welcome that we have received here this morning. And to my good friend, Prime Minister Marape. We've been talking about this visit here for a period of time now, since I had the great honour of being elected Prime Minister of Australia.

The Australian Government is announcing an additional $65 million for the Nowra Bypass planning project, bringing the total joint commitment with the New South Wales Government to $105 million.

The additional funding will allow robust planning and preparatory works to occur on this priority project for the people of Shoalhaven.

A bypass is expected to ease traffic congestion, reduce travel times, improve safety for all road users and increase amenity for the community and businesses of Nowra.

CHRIS O’KEEFE, HOST: Prime Minister, thanks for joining us.
 
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: G’day Chris. Good to be with you and congratulations on the new gig.
 
O’KEEFE: I appreciate that. Now, I want to start by asking, what does it mean for reconciliation if Australia rejects the Voice?
 

BARRY O'ROURKE, MEMBER FOR ROCKHAMPTON: My name is Barry O'Rourke, I'm the State Member for Rockhampton. It is absolutely wonderful to have our Prime Minister Anthony Albanese here today, and also the acting Premier, Steven Miles. It's just such a big event for Rockhampton and Central Queensland, the works that have taken place here with the Rockhampton Ring Road. I'm so proud to be part of government that is delivering on major infrastructure projects like this that creates so many local jobs and looks after our community.

GLEN CLARK, PHARMACIST: Welcome to T+C Pharmacy. We have very special guest today, we have the PM here. So, obviously just like to welcome him and welcome him to the store. It's a brand new store, it’s only been open for about six months now. Thank you for coming to visit us here. I'm really excited to announce your policy with regards to the reduction in the general co-payment down to that $30 limit for patients, which will just make a big difference for those people that are struggling with the rising costs of cost of living.