Defence treaty with PNG ready for signing after its cabinet gives it the tick

Written by: Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

The Papua New Guinea cabinet has cleared the way for the finalisation of a sweeping new defence treaty ^[1] between PNG and Australia.

The cabinet’s tick off for the treaty will be a relief to the Australian government after a glitch last month prevented the signing of the treaty when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was visiting PNG for the celebrations to mark the country’s 50th anniversary of independence.

At that time, a quorum of cabinet members could not be gathered to approve the treaty because many had dispersed across the country for the celebrations.

While the Australian government was confident the treaty would get approval, there were inevitably concerns about any last minute problems arising, especially as China had been critical of PNG entering the agreement.

The two prime ministers will now sign the treaty formally finalising the process.

PNG Prime Minister James Marape, who will be in Australia for the NRL Grand Final this weekend, confirmed his cabinet’s decision on Thursday, saying:

Now this treaty elevates our relationship to the highest level, where force synergies, and capacity development for interoperability is reached.

Albanese said in a statement:

I welcome the formal approval of the landmark Pukpuk Treaty by the Papua New Guinea Cabinet.

Our two nations are the closest of neighbours and the closest of friends, and this treaty will elevate our relationship to a formal alliance.

I look forward to signing the treaty with Prime Minister Marape soon.

An earlier communique signed by the two prime ministers said the treaty will include “a mutual defence alliance which recognises that an armed attack on Australia or Papua New Guinea would be a danger to the peace and security of both countries”.

The treaty also covers the recruitment of PNG citizens into the Australian Defence Force.