Cultural dances, poetries from students, song presentations, booth setups, and the shared history of the National Parliament were part of the celebrations to mark its 40th anniversary today. In his opening remarks, Speaker of Parliament Job Pomat thanked the people of Australia for giving Papua New Guinea its freedom from 1975 to this day. He said, four decades ago on the 7th of August 1984 when he arrived in Port Moresby King Charles, who was then the Prince of all Commonwealth countries, officially opened the National Parliament. “Mi no bin dremanim olsem one day, ba me sanap time mi kam lo fopla ten yia blo em na ba mi speaker. Na mi yet mi privilege na honor lo Markim na mi kamap displa man,” said Pomat in Tok Pisin. (I never dreamt that one day I would stand and be the speaker on its 40 years. And I am privileged and honoured to mark this day) “Mi laik tok tenk yu tru gen, mi tokim back lon Australia, displa friendship blo mi tupla em displa bigpla luksawe yu givim. Haus Man blo pipol blo Papua New Guinea yu givim.” (I want to say thank you again to Australia. The National Parliament House (Haus Man) you gave for the people of Papua New Guinea is a symbol of our friendship through this.) He said since he became the head of this institution as “Speaker of Parliament” he witnessed two (2) incidents where the people of this country attempted to burn down the parliament haus. The constitutions and laws that are made are through this house and governments change through this house, and it should be respected by all Papua New Guineans. “Tok tok blo mi laik go lo ol young pla man na meri na pipol blo Papua New Guinea, please. Yes, yu can come na shoim bel hevi blo you lon front blo em na ol leaders bai oli hairm, but noken burukim na noken kukim.” (I am calling on all the young and old and all Papua New Guineans, please, yes you can come and share your disappointments in front of the house and the leaders to hear, but don’t burn break and burn the house.) He also urged all members of parliament to stand and work together for the betterment of this country. He further stated that they will soon unfold the statue of the Late Grand Chief Michael Somare in front of the National Parliament.