The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon. Richard Marles MP, will visit Papua New Guinea from 12 October to 14 October. This is the Deputy Prime Minister’s first visit to Papua New Guinea since assuming office and is an important opportunity to reaffirm our close and enduring friendship with Papua New Guinea following National Elections held in both countries this year. During the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister will meet with key Papua New Guinean Ministers and officials including Prime Minister the Hon. James Marape, Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. John Rosso, Foreign Minister the Hon. Justin Tkatchenko and Defence Minister the Hon. Win Bakri Daki. They will discuss priorities and opportunities in national security, infrastructure, agriculture, and economic cooperation. While in Papua New Guinea, the Deputy Prime Minister will attend the official openings of the Lae ANGAU Hospital redevelopment, and the Taurama Barracks Chapel. Both facilities will provide important and essential services to the PNG community. The Deputy Prime Minister will also take a friendship walk along part of the Kokoda Track to mark the 80th anniversary of the pivotal Kokoda Campaign during the Second World War.     Quotes attributable to the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Richard Marles MP: “My visit to Papua New Guinea reflects the importance Australia places on our friendship with our closest neighbour, and reaffirms the Government’s commitment to partnering with Papua New Guinea through the PNG-Australia Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (CSEP)”. “I am looking forward to meeting with Prime Minister Marape and some of his Ministers, to discuss our respective priorities and how we can better align our efforts, partnership opportunities, and reaffirm the importance of working with our Pacific family” “Many know that I have a close affection for PNG, and am very much looking forward to what will be one of many visits to our close neighbour.”