The 1973 Self-Government of Papua New Guinea: Debates Between Pangu Pati and Other Nationalists and the Australian Government under Prime Minister Gough Whitlam

In 1973, Papua New Guinea was granted self-government, marking a significant milestone in the country's history. The road to self-government was not without its challenges, however, as debates raged between nationalist groups like the Pangu Pati and the Australian government under Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. In this blog post, we will explore the debates that took place and the factors that led to Papua New Guinea's self-government.

Background

Papua New Guinea was a former colony of Australia, which had established a joint administration over both territories in 1949. In the years that followed, indigenous representatives were gradually elected to the majority of seats in the legislature, and the country was renamed Papua New Guinea (PNG) in 1971. By the early 1970s, there was growing momentum for self-government, with nationalist groups like the Pangu Pati leading the charge.

The Pangu Pati and Other Nationalists

The Pangu Pati was founded in 1967 by Michael Somare, who would later become the first Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. The party was committed to achieving self-government for the country and was a driving force behind the push for independence. However, the Pangu Pati was not the only nationalist group in Papua New Guinea at the time. Other groups, such as the United Party and the People's Progress Party, also had their own visions for the country's future.

Debates with the Australian Government

The Australian government, under Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, was also involved in the debates surrounding Papua New Guinea's self-government. Whitlam was a member of the Australian Labor Party, which had a longstanding commitment to decolonization and self-determination. However, there were concerns within the Australian government about the readiness of Papua New Guinea for self-government. Some officials worried that the country was not yet economically or politically stable enough to govern itself.

Despite these concerns, the push for self-government continued. In 1973, Papua New Guinea was granted self-government, with Michael Somare as the head of the governing Executive Council. The country would achieve full independence two years later, in 1975.

Conclusion

The 1973 self-government of Papua New Guinea was a significant moment in the country's history. The debates between nationalist groups like the Pangu Pati and the Australian government under Prime Minister Gough Whitlam were an important part of the process. Ultimately, Papua New Guinea was able to achieve self-government and independence, paving the way for its future as a sovereign nation.

Citations:

[1] https://www.jstor.org/stable/20634526

[2] https://www.jstor.org/stable/2643584

[3] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-15593238

[4] http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdfplus/10.1086/451140

[5] https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/australia-and-papua-new-guinea-1966-1969.pdf

[6] https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/papuanewguinea/91130.htm