CANBERRA, 06 October 2025 – Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) have sealed a new security pact that deepens military cooperation and cements their decades-long partnership in the Pacific.
Under the Pukpuk Treaty, named after the Tok Pisin word for “crocodile”, the two countries have agreed to assist each other in the event of an armed attack. The deal also grants Australia access to PNG’s defence bases and will allow up to 10,000 Papua New Guineans to train and serve in the Australian Defence Force, with a pathway to Australian citizenship.
Both governments have framed the treaty as a step toward regional peace and stability, though analysts note it also reflects Canberra’s strategy to strengthen ties amid intensifying competition in the Pacific.
“This is about partnership and preparedness,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. “By working together, we safeguard our shared security and prosperity.”
PNG Prime Minister James Marape reiterated that the agreement was not driven by geopolitics, stressing that PNG remains transparent with China. “Australia is our security partner of choice, but our relations with others remain open,” he said.
Security experts say the deal could help modernise PNG’s defence forces, enhance cyber and intelligence capabilities, and create new opportunities for its citizens. It also supports Australia’s push to address its military recruitment shortfalls.
“PNG has a large pool of capable young people keen to serve,” said Oliver Nobetau of the Lowy Institute. “This agreement gives them a way forward — and strengthens Australia’s defence readiness.”
The Pukpuk Treaty builds on a series of Australian-led security partnerships across the Pacific, including recent pacts with Vanuatu, Tuvalu, and the Solomon Islands, where China has expanded its influence through policing and infrastructure projects.
While some in PNG welcome the deal as a sign of growing trust, others warn it could challenge the country’s “friends to all, enemies to none” stance. Former PNG Defence Force commander Jerry Singirok said the arrangement might come with hidden costs.
Even so, the agreement underscores a shifting Pacific landscape — one where local partnerships and shared security are becoming more crucial than ever.
