Papua New Guinea has played an important role in Australian history – it’s time we acknowledged that

By Geoff Keating, Lecturer, UnISQ College, University of Southern Queensland

Fifty years ago this week, Papua New Guinea became independent from Australia. This anniversary gives both nations cause to reflect on our shared histories, as both colony and coloniser.

Once separate territories under Australian administration, Papua and New Guinea became Papua New Guinea in 1971. The land and its people have had a profound influence on Australian history and Australians’ lives.

PNG has also played an important role in some of our nation’s most significant military experiences, as well as in Federation in 1901.

An annexation and a federation

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