TRAVEL TO Papua new guinea
Today I will travel to Papua New Guinea to take part in the Anzac Day service at the Isurava Memorial on the Kokoda Track.
Australia and Papua New Guinea are more than close neighbours and allies, our people share a special bond forged in war on the Kokoda Track.
Between July and November 1942, Australians and Papuans joined together along the Track to thwart a Japanese attack on Port Moresby and, ultimately, Australia.
Some 8,000 Australians served, enduring stifling heat, dysentery and some of the most challenging terrain imaginable while under sustained Japanese attack.
Around 625 were killed and some 1600 were wounded.
I will complete a section of the Kokoda Track as part of my visit, as well as meeting with defence and embassy officials and locally-based veteran support groups.
In addition to the Anzac Service at Isurava, I will visit several Australian war graves sites.
My visit comes at an important moment in our countries' longstanding friendship.
Last year our Prime Ministers signed the Pukpuk Treaty, Australia's first alliance in more than 70 years, underlining our shared commitment to a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
Australian and Papuan personnel train and work alongside each other in units from each country's Defence Force, demonstrating mutual trust and comradeship.
On Anzac Day, we remember and thank the more than two million Australians who have served country in uniform, particularly the 103,000 killed as a result of their service.
Lest we forget.
