A landmark defence treaty between Papua New Guinea and Australia is expected to be signed on Monday.
The Pukpuk Treaty — named after the pidgin word for crocodile — was approved by PNG's cabinet last week. It commits the two nations to "act to meet the common danger" in the event of a military attack on either country, and allows for the reciprocal recruitment of soldiers.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and PNG Prime Minister James Marape will meet at Parliament House on Monday morning to officially sign the deal.
The formal signing — which will establish Australia's third military alliance — was delayed by celebrations of PNG's 50th anniversary of independence from Australia. Mr Albanese returned home from the events having only signed a joint communiqué after PNG's cabinet was unable to reach a quorum to approve the treaty.
Last week, Mr Marape said the treaty was "not just about maintaining barracks and boats," while revealing plans for as many as 10,000 Papua New Guinean citizens to serve with the Australian Defence Force. He argued it would operate "as a foundation for the next chapter of PNG's history," claiming it would strengthen the country's security and defence capacities.
"We are investing in both hardware and software for defence so that we can effectively police our borders and safeguard our nation," he said.
"Australia is our foundational relationship country.
"Now this treaty elevates our relationship to the highest level, where force synergies, and capacity development for interoperability is reached."
On Thursday morning, PNG Defence Minister Billy Joseph wrote on Facebook: "Peace must be achieved through strength. No nation must be at its knees begging for mercy when it comes to matters of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Military strength is achieved through conscious investment in our Defence Forces balanced by our strategic security alliances."
"The Marape Rosso Government is committed to securing our nations' independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity; by deliberate investment in our own national security apparatus; especially in PNGDF; and entering into strategic alliances for mutual defense, building defense capacities and capabilities; and bring socio economic benefits to our people," he added.
An Australian Government spokesperson told the ABC the treaty "puts our relationship with PNG on the same level as we have with the United States and New Zealand and builds on the already strong bonds between our defence forces, our economies and our people".
Australia currently has only two formal defence alliances — with the United States and New Zealand — and the deal comes amid a broader geopolitical struggle for influence in the Pacific.
Until the treaty was finalised, some analysts raised concerns that China might exert pressure on PNG to derail the agreement. After the joint communiqué was released, the Chinese embassy in PNG posted on social media urging the country not to compromise its independence, saying it needed to "properly handle issues bearing on its sovereignty and long-term interests".
The embassy said while it respected PNG's right to conclude a bilateral treaty with other countries, "such a treaty should not be exclusive in nature, nor should it restrict or prevents [sic] a sovereign country from cooperating with a third party for any reason. It should also refrain from targeting any third party or undermining its legitimate rights and interests".
