Which Oceanian country became independent from Australia on 16 September 1975?

Papua New Guinea became independent from Australia on 16 September 1975.

The modern country emerged from two territories administered by Australia: the former Territory of Papua and the former Territory of New Guinea. They were combined administratively in 1949, creating the territory that eventually moved toward self-government. Michael Somare became a central figure in that transition, leading the country’s first government.

Papua New Guinea achieved internal self-government on 1 December 1973, followed by full independence less than two years later. At one minute past midnight on 16 September 1975, Governor-General Sir John Guise proclaimed the new sovereign state. The constitution, adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 15 August 1975, came into force on Independence Day.

The date is sometimes confused with the country’s constitutional or self-government milestones. Australia’s Papua New Guinea Independence Act was passed in September 1975, but it did not change the actual independence date. Papua New Guinea joined the United Nations on 10 October 1975, a later event that confirmed its place in the international community.