We gather today on ground made hallow by Australian sacrifice.
Where we now have the privilege of joining together in peace and liberty, Australian soldiers fought to hold back a relentless enemy.
Six hundred and twenty-five Australians were killed on the Kokoda Track. Of those, 99 fell in the Battle of Isurava and 111 more were wounded.
And we remember and honour them this morning.
We gather today in the final shadows of night because the first Anzacs did.
JAMES MARAPE, PRIME MINISTER OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA: He made a call, he made it happen in terms of picking that date. I would just want to reflect that Papua New Guineans must not take this lightly. He, as I said in the interview earlier, he could have picked a chopper to get him here, retired his obligation to pay respect to the ANZAC event and then walk down towards the easier leg of Kokoda. Instead, he walked the hard way up, and that's reflective of the inner man he is.
Thank you for the extraordinarily warm welcome to the Oro and Northern Provinces.
I’m told Oro means welcome. And that couldn’t be more appropriate. So thank you again.
To the children who sang the national anthems for us - the Australian national anthem has never sounded better. Thank you for that honour.
In a short while we’ll set out on the footsteps of giants.
Our people fought together in World War Two on the Kokoda Track and defended Australia and defended Papua New Guinea.
SARAH ABO, HOST: Millions of Australians will unite to mark Anzac Day after a week of violence that's rocked our country. The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, is one of many preparing to commemorate the day by hiking the Kokoda Trail. And he joins us live now from Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. Prime Minister, thanks so much for your time. It's hot over there, I bet.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Sarah. It's a bit warmer than Canberra. Let me give you the tip, Sarah.
NATALIE BARR, HOST: The Prime Minister has touched down in Port Moresby for meetings with his PNG counterpart, James Marape, before they walk part of the Kokoda Track together. It comes as a cyber battle brews at home between the Australian Government and billionaire Elon Musk. The tech mogul social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has refused to take down graphic content from last Monday's church attack. The e-Safety Commissioner has now been granted a temporary legal injunction to make the company hide posts with the vision for all worldwide users.
PETER STEFANOVIC, HOST: A stoush between Elon Musk and Anthony Albanese. I'm not sure many people would have had that on their bingo card at the start of the year, but here we are and joining us live now is the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. Prime Minister, good to see you. Thanks for your time and I promise you we will get to the trek in just a moment. But I want to ask you about Elon Musk. He's mocked you this morning for choosing censorship and propaganda over free speech and truth. What's your response to that?
EMMA REBELLATO, HOST: Well, the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, is about to become the first sitting PM to walk parts of the Kokoda Track. He'll be joined by PNG Prime Minister, James Marape, deepening ties between the two neighbours and paying respects to fallen soldiers ahead of Anzac Day. And Mr Albanese joins us now from the capital, Port Moresby. Mr Albanese, thanks for joining us on News Breakfast.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Emma.
I begin by acknowledging the owners of the land on which we gather tonight. I pay my respects to the Motu Koitabu people.
Prime Minister Marape and Mrs Marape, Ministers and distinguished guests.
Gutpela nait long yupela olgeta.
[Good evening to you all].
Thank you, Prime Minister, for your warm welcome and for this wonderful reception. It is an honour and delight to be in Papua New Guinea again.
During my last visit, I had the honour of becoming the first foreign Head of Government to address your National Parliament.
NITA GREEN, SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND: My name is Nita, I'm a Labor Senator for Queensland. I'm very a proud representative of regional Queensland in particular. So I'm very pleased to be back here in Mackay today with the Prime Minister and with Mayor Greg Williamson. Congratulations on your recent re-election, Greg, it's fantastic to be with you today. We are here to support regional Queensland and to create more jobs in regional Queensland.
Prime Minister Albanese has officially opened Mackay’s Riverside Revitalisation Project which has transformed the former industrial precinct into a destination locals and visitors alike can explore and enjoy.
The $9.7 million project was jointly funded with the Australian Government investing $4.1 million and the Mackay Regional Council investing $5.6 million.
The Prime Minister visited Mackay this morning to join Mayor Greg Williamson, Councillors, council CEO Scott Owen and other stakeholders for the official opening.