PNG and Australia formalise alliance

Papua New Guinea and Australia are formal allies as of today, following the entry into force of the Pukpuk treaty, or its becoming a legally binding document for the two countries.

The PNG parliament officially ratified the treaty in March this year, with the instruments of ratification formally exchanged today.

The treaty is based on two main pillars of national alliance , or primary sovereignty of both countries and allied partnership or a commitment to mutual defence of both countries' allies.

Prime Minister James Marape and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese jointly announced this in Brisbane, its PNG’s first alliance with any country, and Australia’s first in more than
70 years.

“The entry into force of the Pukpuk Treaty is a momentous step in the relationship been Australia and Papua New Guinea," Mr Albanese said.

He added the alliance reflects the deep trust the two countries share.

“Our alliance reflects the deep trust we share as the closest of neighbours, partners and friends.

“In an uncertain world, this treaty demonstrates our shared commitment to a region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous."

The treaty is also expected to support the expansion and modernisation of Australia’s defence
relationship, including recruitment of each country’s citizens into respective defence forces.

PNG is the first of the Pacific Island countries to sign such a deal, with Fiji recently aligning itself with Australia through a similar bilateral defence alliance, Ocean of Peace Alliance.

Albanese is later tonight expected to host PM Marape and leaders from Samoa and Tonga in Brisbane at State of Origin Game III at Suncorp Stadium.