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Australia will secure entry to Papua New Guinea's armed forces bases and troops under a freshly signed deal that will result in each government come to each other's defence if one faces aggression.

“Our primary security collaboration is with Australia, a stance that is acknowledged... No other diplomatic ties have been affected,” said the Papua New Guinea leader.

The security treaty will permit up to 10,000 nationals of Papua New Guinea to join Australia's military. They will also have the choice to obtain Australian citizenship.

Treaty Details

Known as the Pukpuk Pact (which translates to "the crocodile" in Papua New Guinean pidgin), the bilateral agreement is the most recent in a series of agreements struck between countries in the Pacific and powers seeking a security presence in the area.

The treaty has the ability to bite and, like a crocodile, its bite force demonstrates the joint capability and preparation of the defence units for conflict.

Hostile action on one of the nations would be “dangerous to the other's peace and security” so both should “address the collective risk”.

Deeper Partnership

This agreement also covered greater collaboration around online security and electronic combat.

In prior statements, the national security leader noted that the agreement would mean that Australian and PNG forces would be “fully combined”.

• To begin with, to curb outside power in Papua New Guinea by guaranteeing it does not have the equivalent entry to facilities.
• Additionally, to tackle Australia's recent challenges building defence numbers.
• In conclusion, the deal also sends a message to foreign governments.

The advantages of the agreement were comprising several aspects, per analysis from a regional security expert.

“PNG has an oversupply of able-bodied citizens who are willing to do this kind of work,” it was explained, stating that a significant number would be interested in the opportunities of moving to Australia and possibly obtaining citizenship.

Area Impact

The deal forms part of a so-called hub and spokes network of security agreements in the region – with Australia at the core and Pacific states being the allies.

Some have raised issues that the agreement undermines the nation's ‘friends to all, enemies to none’ international approach by aligning the country with its partner on all security matters.

Each party need greater clarity on the anticipated outcomes, obligations and assurances.

The deal also included yearly combined drills which were about “strategic messaging,” to “show the interoperability of the forces and their ability to face an external threat in the region and how quickly they can organise themselves and deploy”.

The agreement would help enhance the defence force, bringing a major uplift in both resources and confidence.