The Late Right Honourable Sir Julius Chan GCL, GCMG KBE PC MP PC Member of the Privy Counsel

Today (Monday 03 Feb 2025) at work we commemorated and reflected on the life of a staunch statesman, Papua New Guinea’s 2nd Prime Minister and one of the Founding Fathers of our nation.

Mr. Richard Kassman OBE Richard E Kassman OBE wrote and delivered the following speech that captured the leader and man that the Late Right Honorable Sir Julius Chan is and was.

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Last night the State held an official Haus Krai event at the Sir John Guise Indoor Stadium.

Sir Julius’s casket was brought to the stadium and his immediate family were present as is Custom.

The Prime Minister, Opposition Leader along with Members of Parliament including Governors and the Ministers were present with members of the public. Chief Justice was present as well.

A program of tributes from selected leaders interspaced with hymns and songs of praise were presented in a program that commenced at 6.00pm and ended at 10.30pm when Sir Julius’s son Byron made concluding remarks.

Prime Minister reiterated that late Sir Julius had expressed in his Will that he wished to be laid to rest seven (7) days from the time of passing, so the State was unable to offer a longer mourning period where the whole country can participate to pay due tribute and recognition to one of PNG’s founding fathers.

Prime Minister Marape made a public appeal to the public service, to schools and businesses houses to take a moment to reflect on this a key architect of PNG, a true founding Father of the Nation.

So I am thankful that our MD Arnaud has allowed the staff of TotalEnergies to gather as a mark of respect. Papua New Guineans will appreciate that the gesture is immense, reflecting our company’s respect for our custom and culture. For this we are most grateful.

Sir Julius the sitting Governor of New Ireland Province had served 57 years of unbroken service to the people of Papua New Guinea and his province. Pre-Independence he was a Member of the House of Assembly and post Independence was elected to the Parliament of the sovereign Nation of Papua New Guinea. Deloitte Haus is on the site of the House of Assembly prescient.

The late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare was known as the Father of the Nation, Sir Julius was also a Father, and is recognized as being the Father of PNG’s modern Economy.

A two time Prime Minister he served in many Ministries for many terms as Minister for Finance, driving legislation and the establishment of most of PNG banks, finance and investment agencies.

He introduced PNG’s currency the ‘kina and toea’ and established the hard kina policy that prevailed until a decision was made to float the kina. His own son Toea was born at the time this initiative was in progress.

He contributed to the drafting of PNG Constitution, and in his tribute Chief Justice reminded all that he understood clearly the separation of powers in the Westminster system PNG adopted, and he held the Constitution sacred, and was against any amendment.

The event last night where in the front row, Prime Minister Marape with Lady Rachel, Chief Justice with Lady Salika, Opposition Leader Tomuriesa and former Prime Minister O’Neill sat together was not lost on the many viewers watching on TV and listeners to radio as this event was broadcasted live. This is PNG Custom and politics where you fight on the floor of Parliament, and outside you remain civil. This is sadly missing in current PNG politics, the mark of a distinguished leader, the tru bigman is that in his death, he brings people together, including perceived adversaries.

In our country’s 50th Jubilee Anniversary the slogan is ‘Celebrate our History and Inspire our Future’.

We must embrace this slogan, and know in our hearts that we will have a massive influence and impact of the second part of the slogan, Inspire our Future.

Pre Independence Bouganville Copper, post-independence OK Tedi, Misima, Porgera, Lihir, Ramu, Chevron Oil and PNGLNG these projects built the first 50 years of our Nation’s economy

All of us staff and contractors and suppliers, expatriates and Papua New Guineans we are Nation Builders. God willing the Papua LNG Project will start the impetus of the economy of this great nation, its growth for the next 50 years.

That is the work before us, and I implore you all to be truly inspired.