Overview

• The two governments said the treaty text is agreed and will be signed after each completes cabinet processes, with timing flagged for the coming weeks.
• PNG’s failure to muster a cabinet quorum during independence celebrations prevented formal approval and prompted the switch to a communique.
• Draft terms include a mutual‑defence clause to “act to meet the common danger” if either nation is attacked within the Pacific.
• The pact would enable cross‑enlistment and grant the Australian Defence Force access to designated PNG facilities to deepen interoperability.
• The delay follows last week’s stalled A$500 million Vanuatu security deal, increasing scrutiny of Australia’s Pacific strategy, as James Marape calls Australia PNG’s security partner of choice and says China played no role in the holdup.