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Papua New Guinea Cabinet Clears Mutual-Defense Pact With Australia

The treaty now moves to parliament for ratification, testing PNG's stance on sovereignty.

Papua New Guinea’s Cabinet has reportedly approved the terms of a mutual defence treaty with Australia.
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The deal will see the two nations commit to defending each other from armed attacks as they face "emerging threats" to their security
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Overview

  • Officials said the Pukpuk treaty won cabinet approval on Wednesday and was referred to the national parliament for a ratification vote.
  • The agreement includes a mutual commitment to respond to armed attacks, which officials framed in the context of emerging security threats.
  • Treaty text contains a third‑party clause to ensure outside agreements do not hinder implementation, a provision widely read as addressing Chinese influence.
  • The pact enables cross-enlistment by allowing citizens of each country to serve in the other's military forces.
  • A planned signing during Anthony Albanese's recent visit was postponed, and China's embassy in Port Moresby warned the deal could undermine PNG's interests.