The Papua New Guinea government says it will warmly welcome Australia's Opposition Leader Mark Latham when he arrives tomorrow amid difficult relations between the two nations.
"The fact his first (overseas) visit as Opposition Leader is to Papua New Guinea demonstrates the bi-partisan interest that exists in Australian politics in its closest neighbour," Foreign Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu said in a statement.
"At a time when our bilateral relationship is entering a very challenging period, the visit by the alternate Prime Minister of Australia is particularly welcome."
The pre-election trip comes as Prime Minister John Howard's government sets about deploying 300 Australian police and bureaucrats to help fight crime and corruption in PNG.
Although Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has accepted Australia's deployment, he had been very outspoken against the Howard government's more interventionist policy with its Pacific neighbours.
Latham and his foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd will meet Somare during the 24-hour visit to discuss security and economic issues.
Namaliu said the Australian Labor Party had always taken a close interest in PNG's development, both in government and opposition.
He said the Whitlam Labor government had been instrumental in PNG achieving self-government in 1973 and independence in 1975.
Since that time, PNG has descended into lawlessness and corruption, prompting many analysts to question whether PNG was granted independence too early.
Somare, who led PNG to independence, is likely to soon be ousted by a vote of no-confidence, as is the tradition in PNG's chaotic political system.
The vote could occur as early as next month if the courts force parliament to return from its controversial adjournment.
Only eight Australian officials have so far been deployed to PNG. Parliament is yet to provide the legal protection Australia wants for its 230 police officers.
This week a senior PNG government minister said his country could have slid into anarchy had PNG ignored its crime problem and refused to deploy Australian police.
Internal Security Minister Bire Kimisopa dismissed concerns Australia was violating the sovereignty of its former colony.
- AAP
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