Is there any relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea?

Answer 1

Papua New Guinea and Australia have a close relationship which has extended beyond the time when Papua New Guinea was granted independence from Australia.

During World War II, the Papua New Guinea natives, affectionately dubbed the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, helped Australian soldiers in the 1942 battles against invading Japanese troops. They lived in the villages along the Kokoda Track and initially knew nothing of the war until Australian troops began moving through their area.

The Papua New Guineans carried wounded out of the jungle, on stretchers and on their backs, and nursed them back to health where possible, at the risk of their own lives. They also carried supplies and equipment for the Australian troops. Stories have also emerged of these natives rescuing US airmen who were shot out of the sky. They evacuated allied troops from compromising situations during alerts of Japanese invasions, or hid them from advancing troops. Not only did they nurse the wounded back to health, but many Allied troops fell victim to the diseases of the tropical jungle, such as malaria - the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels also nursed them through that. It is quite conceivable that, without the help of PNG, the Australian and US troops could not have withstood the Japanese forces and their relentless march across the Owen Stanley Range.

Answer 2

Yes, there has always been a good relationship with the countries as Papua New Guinea previously used to be considered a territory of Australia until Independence.