Australian PM Anthony Albanese visits the tomb of Sir Michael Somare in Wewak, Papua New Guinea

Australian Prime Minister Hon. Anthony Albanese visited the tomb of the founding Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Sir Michael Somare, at Kreer Heights in Wewak on Friday, January 13, 2023.
PM Albanese was accompanied by PNG PM and Pangu Pati Leader, Hon. James Marape, to the tomb of Sir Michael, who died in 2021.
The Australian Labor Party (ALP) PM was welcomed by grandchildren of Sir Michael, took part in a traditional cleansing ceremony in which a coconut was split by a landowner leader and the water poured on the ground for him to walk on, laid a wreath on the tomb of Sir Michael, planted a coconut tree to mark his visit, signed the Visitors' Book, and then talked to the media with PM Marape.
This was the first visit by an Australian Prime Minister to PNG since PM Marape's ascension to the Office of Prime Minister on May 30, 2019.
It was also special in that at the time of Independence in 1975, the ALP led by the late Gough Whitlam was in Government in Australia, while the Pangu Pati led by the late Sir Michael Somare was in Government in PNG.
Here is a video of the visit of the two Prime Ministers to the tomb of Sir Michael, followed by their talk to the media:

[@emmanuelmalimbo1148]

Thank you Aussie PM for showing your respect.

[@pmjamesmarape]

Thank you Emmanuel.

[@junebaldwin5352]

New Guinea has been great neibours of australia and I'm glad albanese went to show respect

[@pmjamesmarape]

Thank you June.

[@ephraimmayleen8360]

Environment is welcoming , with so much Respect for both PNG and AUSTRALIA PM.
Thank you

[@pmjamesmarape]

Thank you Ephraim.

[@jerometombil9484]

Thank you Anthony.

[@pmjamesmarape]

Thank you Jerome

[@apollosapasar8987]

Thank you both PMs Albanese and Marape for the visit to pay your respects to the GGC SMTS

[@VernonGawi]

Thank you, my leaders, for visiting late Grand Chief as well as paying your respects, Koa!

[@pmjamesmarape]

Thank you Vernon.

[@VernonGawi]

@@pmjamesmarape You are most welcome my good Prime Minister 🫡

[@Kavui5421]

Thank you leaders. Salute you both for this initiative. God bless you both.🙏

[@meshachlunganga222]

Thank you PM Albanese for your visit and respect, viewing from New Ireland Province, Kavieng

[@vagirei3730]

A true leader that has respect for our founding father. It may be disappointing for the ceremony to be conducted in pure Sepik traditional attire which will reflect our Grand Chief been fully recognized as THE ONLY FOUNDING FATHER of Independent State of Papua New Guinea

[@sinamumuta7910]

The real Citizens of Australia.

[@josephlibertyihenimoiyeho7357]

PMJM THE BEST INITIATIVE EVER SIR AS A TEACHER I TOOK MY HAT OFF AND SALUTE YOU TO CONSIDER THIS SO THIS IMPORTANT OCCASION PAPA TU LUKIM.

[@pmjamesmarape]

Thank you Joseph.

[@leongriffiths2487]

Thank you PMJM and PMAA for your visit.....Our national security the PNGDF needs to step up to face regional and internal issues for PNG & Australian Government interests...💪

[@pmjamesmarape]

Thank you Leon.

[@kelvink9141]

Thankyou PM Albanase for paying respects to the Father Of PNG 🇵🇬 🇦🇺

[@pmjamesmarape]

Thank you.

[@pmjamesmarape]

Thank you Kelvin.

[@g.d.chamindra6841]

🙏Very Good leader🖊🌀🌀🌀

[@pmjamesmarape]

Thank you

[@asikosamusicmessages]

Thank you very much Leaders of Papua New Guinea, Australia PM and our PM James Marape for visiting our Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare Tomb in Wewak, East Sepik Province, Kreer Heights.

[@sinamumuta7910]

Good tell them,culture to respect

[@karenonesimus3037]

Big thanks to Australia PM

[@pmjamesmarape]

Thank you Karen.

[@jinahsumbuk2456]

Thankyou PM Mr Marape for this.

[@pmjamesmarape]

Thank you Jinah.

[@reddeyejedi_chosen8883]

Wait is this where that official drank too much kava and had to be hospitalised ??

[@dzesyehilomo3803]

This is Papua New Guinea we do not drink kava here. Fijians do that don't be confused.

[@yengeiousek6890]

I missed.

[@pmjamesmarape]

You missed in Wewak?

[@yengeiousek6890]

Yes. Was in the village and no toksave too.

[@pmjamesmarape]

@@yengeiousek6890 which village?

[@yengeiousek6890]

In Ambunti, Waiawos village

[@yengeiousek6890]

My wontoks hides such information from me.

[@Prof.Pwnalot]

Thank you for sharing this PM James Marape.
Beautiful culture, country and respect shown to an incredibly important leader, (Sir Michael Somare, grand chief) in Papua New Guinea's history.
I wish your country all the best, and i hope these strong relations never cease between Australia and Papua New Guinea.
-Michael, Australia.

[@pmjamesmarape]

Thank you Michael

[@iamthatiam44444]

Does he actually spend any time in Australia 😒

[@georgethehuman5192]

At least he’s doing something rather than holidaying in Hawaii whilst the country burns