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The Australian nation will obtain rights to PNG's defence infrastructure and personnel under a new agreement that will result in each government support one another if one faces aggression.

“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 the Papua New Guinea leader.

This agreement will permit as many as 10,000 Papua New Guineans to join the nation's armed forces. They will also have the option to gain permanent residency in Australia.

Pact Provisions

Referred to as the Pukpuk Pact (which translates to "the crocodile" in local dialect), the two-nation deal is the latest in a line of deals forged by countries in the Pacific and nations seeking a military influence in the area.

The treaty has the ability to bite and, similar to the crocodile, its bite force speaks of the joint capability and preparedness of the defence units for war.

A military assault on one of the nations would be “a threat to the partner's stability” so each must “address the collective risk”.

Deeper Partnership

The pact also included enhanced cooperation around cyberspace and electronic combat.

Earlier, the defence official from Papua New Guinea noted that the agreement would mean that defence personnel from each country would be “fully combined”.

• To begin with, to limit foreign presence in Papua New Guinea by guaranteeing it does not have the comparable reach to resources.
• Second, to resolve Australia's recent difficulties recruiting for its military.
• In conclusion, the pact also sends a message to other global powers.

The positive outcomes of the deal were three-pronged, per analysis from a regional security expert.

“PNG has an oversupply of able-bodied citizens who are willing to do this kind of work,” the expert noted, stating that numerous individuals would be interested in the prospects of living in Australia and potentially obtaining citizenship.

Area Impact

The treaty is a component of a described as hub and spokes network of security agreements in the Pacific – with the nation at the centre and regional countries being the spokes.

Questions have emerged that the treaty undermines PNG's non-aligned international approach by aligning the country with Australia on each safety concern.

The two nations need enhanced definition on the expectations, obligations and pledges.

The deal also included yearly combined drills which were about “communicating intent,” to “show the interoperability of the forces and their ability to face an external threat in the region and how quickly they can organise themselves and deploy”.

This treaty would help enhance the nation's military, bringing a significant boost in both resources and confidence.