The Papua New Guinea-Australia Mutual Defence Treaty, known as the Pukpuk Treaty, comes into force today.
James Marape and Anthony Albanese, the prime ministers of the two countries, are meeting in Brisbane to discuss the treaty, which was signed in October last year.
The Pukpuk Treaty, PNG’s first-ever defence alliance and Australia’s first in over seven decades, strengthens defence cooperation between PNG and Australia through intelligence sharing, logistics and training.
It includes a pathway for up to 10,000 Papua New Guineans to join the Australian Defence Force.
Marape said the agreement would boost PNG’s security capabilities while maintaining national sovereignty and independence.
The Australian government views the treaty as one of its major “breakthroughs in the Pacific”, as it strives to solidify its role as the partner of choice in the region.
Meanwhile, Albanese will host Marape, alongside the leaders of Samoa and Tonga, at the grand final of the State of Origin at Suncorp Stadium tonight.
“The Albanese Labor Government is helping grow rugby league across the Pacific,” the Australian Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
