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Australia will secure entry to PNG's military facilities and personnel under a new agreement that will result in both nations provide mutual defense if an armed conflict occurs.

“We have told them that Australia is our security partner of choice and they understand our alliances here... Other aspects of our relations have never been compromised,” stated PNG's Prime Minister.

The security treaty will permit as many as 10,000 nationals of Papua New Guinea to enlist in the nation's armed forces. They will also have the choice to gain permanent residency in Australia.

Agreement Specifics

Dubbed the Pukpuk Treaty (meaning "the crocodile" in PNG pidgin), the bilateral agreement is the newest in a series of agreements concluded among Pacific nations and powers vying for a defence footprint in the region.

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

An armed attack on one of the nations would be “a threat to the partner's stability” so the two are to “respond to the shared threat”.

Deeper Partnership

The pact also encompassed expanded partnership around online security and spectrum operations.

Previously, the defence official from Papua New Guinea indicated that the agreement would mean that Australian and PNG forces would be “completely unified”.

• First, to curb external influence in PNG by guaranteeing it does not have the same level of access to resources.
• Second, to tackle the nation's recent difficulties enlisting new personnel.
• Lastly, the deal also sends a message to foreign governments.

The advantages of the agreement were multi-faceted, according to a defence analyst.

“PNG has an oversupply of able-bodied citizens who are willing to do this kind of work,” the expert noted, noting that numerous individuals would be attracted by the prospects of residing in the country and potentially getting Australian citizenship.

Regional Implications

This agreement represents an element in a described as hub and spokes network of military treaties in the region – with Australia at the core and regional countries being the spokes.

Questions have emerged that the agreement may compromise the nation's non-aligned diplomatic stance by associating the country with Australia on every defence issue.

Both sides need greater clarity on the foreseen results, duties and pledges.

The pact also included annual joint military exercises which were about “strategic messaging,” to “demonstrate combined operational readiness and rapid response to regional dangers”.

This treaty would help update PNG's army, bringing a significant boost in both material and confidence.