The Australian government Inks Key Security Deal with Papua New Guinea

The Australian nation will gain access to the Papua New Guinean military facilities and soldiers under a new pact that will ensure each government provide mutual defense if an armed conflict occurs.

The security treaty will permit as many as 10,000 Papua New Guineans to serve in the Australian Defence Force. They will also have the option to gain permanent residency in Australia.

Agreement Specifics

Referred to as the Pukpuk Treaty (meaning "crocodile" in PNG pidgin), the bilateral agreement is the most recent in a line of deals struck between Pacific nations and powers seeking a defence footprint in the region.

The treaty possesses significant force and, in the manner of this predator, its strength speaks of the interoperability and readiness of the defence units for conflict.

A military assault on one of the nations would be “a risk to mutual safety” so the two are to “act to meet the common danger”.

Expanded Cooperation

This agreement also covered enhanced cooperation around digital domains and electronic combat.

In prior statements, the defence official from Papua New Guinea noted that the agreement would mean that Australian and PNG forces would be “fully combined”.

• First, to restrict external influence in Papua New Guinea by making certain it does not have the same level of access to infrastructure.
• Second, to tackle the nation's recent challenges recruiting for its military.
• Finally, the pact also communicates a point to foreign governments.

The benefits of the treaty were three-pronged, according to a defence analyst.

“Papua New Guinea possesses numerous capable nationals eager for these opportunities,” they said, stating that numerous individuals would be interested in the opportunities of living in Australia and perhaps getting Australian citizenship.

Pacific Consequences

The treaty forms part of a described as hub and spokes network of defence pacts in the region – with the nation at the heart and island nations being the spokes.

Questions have emerged that the treaty could weaken PNG's non-aligned foreign policy position by aligning PNG with its partner on all security matters.

Each party need enhanced definition on the foreseen results, obligations and pledges.

The pact also included yearly combined drills which were about “demonstrating capability,” 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 pact would help enhance the defence force, bringing a significant boost in both equipment and morale.