PNG, Australia to sign new security agreement when PM James Marape visits Canberra this week

Prime Minister James Marape says police, defence and other development areas will be discussed when he meets his Australian counterpart in Canberra this week.

The trip is also expected to include the signing of a new security agreement between Mr Marape and Australian PM Anthony Albanese.

The framework agreement for closer security relationship between the two countries will be finalised following a one-on-one bilateral meeting between the two men on Thursday. 

Mr Marape said the finer details of the agreement would first have to be approved by cabinet on Tuesday afternoon.

He said the deal would include “stepping up capacity in our police, beefing up support for our policing sector”.

“Australian police officers will work under the command and control of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and the Police Commissioner,” he said.

“Both Australia and ourselves have shared borders, and we have shared interest, especially interest on our border area.

“Our economic [and] trade interest will be embraced in the stepped up security cooperation we will sign with Australia on Thursday, subject to final cabinet approval.”

He said the deal would also include Australian help in setting up a regional police training academy.

Mr Marape was speaking after arriving in Port Moresby from Singapore on Tuesday morning.