Gough Whitlam, the Australian Prime Minister who gave Papua New Guinea its independence in 1975, died this week. The ABC’s long-serving Papua New Guinea correspondent, Sean Dorney, reflects on Whitlam’s historic relationship with PNG and the road to independence.

Gough Whitlam and a young Michael Somare at Independence celebrations. Credit: Whitlam Institute.

In 1969, Whitlam was Opposition Leader when he visited Papua New Guinea and stated that PNG should have self-government within three years—by 1972—and that full independence should be attained in 1976.

At the time, the Minister for External Territories in the Coalition Government was Charles Edward Barnes, who had publicly stated that Papua New Guinea would not be ready for independence before the end of the 20th Century.

Early independence

Gough Whitlam’s public advocacy for early independence compounded growing problems for the conservative Australian administration.

There were disturbances on the Gazelle Peninsula in East New Britain, where the Tolais were objecting to the imposition of a multi-racial council; there was disquiet on Bougainville over land matters related to CRA’s opening of the Bougainville Copper Mine; and there was a rising anti-colonial agitation amongst better-educated Papua New Guineans.

Independence a political issue

Whitlam–who narrowly lost the 1969 Australian federal election—continued to regard Papua New Guinea as a significant political issue for Australia.

He made two highly publicised trips to PNG in 1970 and 1971. He visited the Gazelle Peninsula and gave strong support to John Kaputin and the Mataungan Association.

Gough Whitlam was himself removed from power a few months later, prompting Sir Michael to quip that it had not taken long for Australia to be in crisis after PNG let it go!

On these trips, he promised that if he won the 1972 elections in Australia he would ensure there was early self-government followed by quick independence.

When he did win, he set a timetable for self-government by December 1973, with Independence a year later.

Gough Whitlam during Independence Day celebrations.

More time

Sir Michael Somare, who had managed to put together a multi-party coalition government after PNG’s elections in 1972, accepted the December 1973 self-government date but argued for more time.

So, it was not late 1974 but September 1975 before Independence arrived and Whitlam was one of the chief guests at the Independence Day celebrations.

Gough Whitlam was himself removed from power a few months later, prompting Sir Michael to quip that it had not taken long for Australia to be in crisis after PNG let it go!

Mr Whitlam died on Tuesday, 21 October, 2014, aged 98.