PNG and Australia to sign bilateral defence treaty

Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Australia are set to sign a bilateral defence treaty to integrate the military of the two countries.

This was conveyed by PNG’s Minister for Defence, Billy Joseph, to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Monday, according to a report by Radio New Zealand.

Since June, the neighbouring nations have been conducting formal negotiations on the high-level security agreement.

According to Joseph, the pact will allow Australia to recruit soldiers from PNG and vice versa to defend each other’s territories.

Aside from that, it will “provide a pathway” for Papua New Guineans to get Australian citizenship by serving in the Australian Defence Force.

“We’re not talking about interoperability, we’re talking about totally integrated forces,” he said.

“ADF and PNGDF both working together closely, using the same equipment, fighting together, defending our sovereignties as an integrated force.”

Australia concerned by China’s influence

Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the deal aims to curb China’s security influence in the region.

He added that he and his PNG counterpart, James Marape, will sign it on Wednesday, a day after celebrating PNG’s 50th anniversary of independence from Australia.

“It is a very significant upgrade in our defence relationship,” Albanese told ABC, as cited by AFP.

“It provides for mutual defence, which means that we will provide support for each other, provide for an integration of our interoperability of our assets and our respective defence forces,” Albanese added.

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Treaty set to strengthen Australia-PNG ties

As members of the Commonwealth, PNG and Australia continue to work together to promote economic growth and sustainable development. 

Australia is PNG’s largest aid donor, providing over AUD600 million (around USD399 million) annually. 

The aid supports infrastructure, health, education, governance, law and justice.

Moreover, Australian companies are significant investors in PNG’s mining, energy and agriculture sectors

This relationship is one of Australia’s most significant and enduring partnerships, grounded in historical connections dating back to PNG’s independence in 1975.

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