By the Pacific Local Journalism Network's Nick Sas and foreign affairs reporter Stephen Dziedzic, ABC
The landmark defence treaty between Australia and Papua New Guinea has been agreed to by PNG's cabinet. Photo: ABC News / Lincoln Rothall
A landmark defence treaty between Australia and Papua New Guinea has been approved, with PNG's Prime Minister James Marape saying it will elevate the two countries' security relationship to "its highest level in history".
The treaty, known as the Pukpuk treaty, is Australia's first new alliance in more than 70 years, and will see the two countries agree to defend each other in the event of a military attack.
In a statement released on Thursday, Marape confirmed his cabinet had agreed on the treaty, which he said would ensure Papua New Guinea was "safe, secure, and prepared to protect its people and borders".
He also revealed plans under the treaty for as many as 10,000 Papua New Guineans to serve with the Australian Defence Force, under "dual arrangements".
"This treaty is not just about maintaining barracks and boats," Marape said in the statement.
"We are investing in both hardware and software for defence so that we can effectively police our borders and safeguard our nation.
"Australia is our foundational relationship country.
"Now this treaty elevates our relationship to the highest level, where force synergies, and capacity development for interoperability is reached."
The two leaders signed a 'communique' last month in Port Moresby, PNG's capital. Photo: ABC News / Lincoln Rothall
The treaty was due to be signed during Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's trip to PNG last month, but the two countries instead signed a "communique" after PNG's cabinet failed to reach a quorum.
Albanese said he welcomed the formal approval of the treaty by the PNG 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," he said.
"I look forward to signing the treaty with Prime Minister Marape soon."
Albanese faced criticism last month after failing to ink the agreement during his visit for PNG's 50th anniversary celebrations.
During a press conference last month, both Albanese and Marape said they were confident the signing would happen, despite commentary from some that China was looking to scuttle the deal.
The PNG prime minister said at the time the country was a democracy, not a "military dictatorship" and he needed broad cabinet sign-off.
In a social media post released after Albanese's visit, the Chinese embassy in PNG advised the country not to compromise its independence, urging it to "properly handle issues bearing on its sovereignty and long-term interests".
Despite Thursday's green light, the treaty has faced domestic criticism, with PNG's former defence force commander Jerry Singirok, warning that the long-term implications of the treaty could come at a high cost for the country.
"It's common knowledge that Australia sees China as a potential threat, but China is not PNG's enemy," Singirok told the ABC's Pacific Beat.
"It's a disaster if we enter into this without understanding the long-term implications on our constitution," he said.
'Challenging and difficult' Vanuatu agreement
At the time, the failure to sign the Pukpuk treaty came just days after Albanese failed to sign the Nakamal agreement with Vanuatu.
That agreement would see the federal government pour about $500 million into Vanuatu over a decade to help fund some of its key climate, security and economic priorities - while entrenching Australia's position as the Pacific nation's main security and development partner.
Speaking to the ABC on Thursday, Defence Minister Richard Marles described the Nakamal agreement as a "challenging and difficult agreement", but still believed it would be signed.
"There's an enormous amount of goodwill on both sides," he said.
"It's going to take a bit of time to get it done, but I'm confident that will happen as well."
-ABC
