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Australia, PNG Delay Signing of Historic Defence Treaty

By The South Asia Times

Port Moresby — Australia and Papua New Guinea have delayed the signing of a landmark security agreement, with both governments confirming that the Mutual Defence Treaty — known as the Pukpuk Treaty — will be formalised only after Cabinet approvals in both countries.

In a joint statement on Tuesday, Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and James Marape said the text of the treaty has been agreed, and the formal signing will take place “soon.”

The treaty will elevate the defence partnership between the two neighbours to the level of an alliance, committing each to view an armed attack on the other as a threat to their peace and security. It also sets out ambitions to modernise defence ties, expand interoperability, create a recruitment pathway for Papua New Guinea citizens into the Australian Defence Force, and reaffirm respect for regional sovereignty.

Albanese, who is in Port Moresby, said PNG’s Cabinet was unable to finalise the agreement this week due to Independence Day celebrations. “We respect the sovereignty of PNG. Australia is ready to go, but we also must follow our own processes, including our Treaties Committee,” he told reporters.

The treaty marks Papua New Guinea’s 50th year of independence and is described by both sides as the beginning of “an historic new chapter” in bilateral relations.