Australia and PNG sign Pukpuk mutual defence treaty

Australia and Papua New Guinea on Monday signed the Pukpuk mutual defence treaty in Canberra, formally committing each country to come to the other's aid in the event of an armed attack and deepening military cooperation between the two neighbours. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Papua New Guinean counterpart James Marape signed the agreement at Parliament House after Port Moresby’s cabinet gave final approval last week following a delay in September.

The pact, named after the Tok Pisin word for crocodile, establishes a framework for closer defence ties, including greater interoperability, joint training and assistance to modernise Papua New Guinea's defence forces. Marape’s office said the treaty creates a pathway for up to 10,000 Papua New Guineans to serve in the Australian Defence Force and supports plans to expand PNG’s own military to around 7,000 troops with a national reserve of roughly 3,000 volunteers. The full text of the agreement has not been publicly released, but officials said it includes provisions intended to ensure that third‑party arrangements do not undermine either party’s ability to implement the pact.

The signing follows a false start during PNG’s...