Papua, the southern section of the country was annexed by Queensland in 1883 and the following year became a British protectorate called British New Guinea. It was passed to Australia in 1905 as the Territory of Papua. The northern section of the country formed part of German New Guinea from 1884 to 1914 and was called Kaiser-Wilhelmsland. Occupied by Australian forces during World War 1, it was mandated to Australian forces by the League of Nations in 1920 and became known as the Territory of New Guinea. Australian rule was reconfirmed by the United Nations in 1947. In 1949 the Territories of Papua and New Guinea were merged administratively, but they remained constitutionally distinct. A House of Assembly replaced the Legislative Council in 1963, and the first House of Assembly opened on June 8, 1964. In 1972, the name of the territory was changed to Papua New Guinea. They were combined in 1973 as the self-governing country of Papua New Guinea. Full independence was gained in 1975. In order that the distinct name of the country can be appreciated in this context, the Employment Determination in 1970 was known as the Papua and New Guinea Harbours Board Ordinance (1963-1969). Therefore we can safely state that the transition of the entity PNG Ports Corporation Limited has evolved from the following; - 1963-1969: Papua and New Guinea Harbours Board (HB Act. 1963)
- 1970-2002: Papua New Guinea Harbours Board (PNGHB Act Chp.240)
- 2002-2006: PNG Harbours Limited (Harbours Amendment Act)
- 2006-Future: PNG Ports Corporation Limited (Harbours Amendment Act)
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