Ted Diro reflects on the attitude to the relationship with Australia whom he would look to for support to solve problems and raise living and education standards.
Michael Somare states that he discussed with Gough Whitlam the importance of at least 4 or 5 years of continuing Australian presence in PNG for training, and his discussions regarding ongoing financial assistance to PNG from Australia with both Gough Whitlam and Andrew Peacock.
Michael Somare outlines the formation and three years work of the Constitutional Planning Committee (CPC) and the appointment of John Momis as deputy chair. He discusses the work of John Kaputin, Tony Vourtas, and Barry Holloway. He notes that, unlike Australia, a new framework of laws was needed to be developed to accommodate traditional customs and different ethnic groups and outlines the support he received from Australian legal experts.
Michael Somare talks about issues leading up to the 1972 election and the movement for constitutional change and the visit and role of Australian Prime Minister John Gorton and Opposition Leader Gough Whitlam and his shadow ministers Kim Beazley and Simon Crean. He discusses the uncertainty around Independence caused by the Compass Party and the role of Pita Lus and the Pangu Party.
