Singirok questions Australia’s motives in PNG defence deal

Papua New Guinea has no common enemy, and signing the PukPuk Treaty could go against the country’s foreign policy stance, often described by Prime Minister James Marape as ‘friends to all, enemies to none.’

Retired Army General Jerry Singirok was speaking on the NBC National Radio talkback show this week and said, for Australia to enter into a treaty that gives Papua New Guinea an advantage in relation to building its own capabilities is a welcome move, but the country needs to know what will come after.

He said that if Australia is investing in the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, there will be a catch, and PNG will be serving Australia's interests.

He added that Australia is to absorb, incorporate, and bring PNG into their strategic interests and space, but 'who is the perceived enemy and where is the threat?'

The retired general warned that the country is entering unknown territory, risking a breach of the Constitution without knowing who the enemy is.

He said the constitution has never been changed since 1975, and so it must be discussed on the floor of Parliament.

He warned that the Constitution prohibits military arrangements with another army, and said PNG must be clear about whose interests Australia is representing.

"It is a very good opportunity for the PNGDF to join the Australian Government, but there is a catch where they cannot wear the Kumul bird on one side and the Kangaroo on the other side and say they are super soldiers representing two countries," he said.

He questioned why the Australian Government is choosing to build PNG’s defense capabilities now, instead of 30 years ago.