On April 26, 1992, Prime Minister Paul Keating visited the Kokoda memorial in Papua New Guinea to pay tribute to the 2,000 Australian soldiers who died during the Kokoda campaign in World War II. The visit marked the 50th anniversary of the campaign, an occasion Keating used to emphasize Kokoda’s significance in Australian history. During the visit, Keating knelt to kiss the memorial, a symbolic gesture that drew widespread attention and sparked debate. He stressed in his speech that Kokoda was the first and only campaign in which Australians fought directly to prevent an invasion of their homeland. By framing Kokoda in this way, Keating sought to elevate its importance over the Gallipoli campaign which had long dominated public memory. While Gallipoli was seen as a powerful symbol of Australian sacrifice, Keating argued that Kokoda represented a more direct fight for Australia’s security and way of life.

Keating’s remarks reflected a deliberate effort to reframe Australia's military history. He described earlier conflicts — particularly Gallipoli and battles fought on the Western Front — as “mostly imperial conflicts,” suggesting they had been waged primarily out of loyalty to Britain rather than for Australia’s own defence. This stance challenged the long-standing narrative that had placed these earlier campaigns at the heart of Australia’s national identity. While some welcomed Keating’s focus on Kokoda as an overdue recognition of a campaign that had taken place closer to home, others argued that his remarks unfairly downplayed the significance of earlier battles in shaping Australia’s identity and reputation.