Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will leave Papua New Guinea on Wednesday without signing a long-anticipated defence treaty, marking the second delay in as many weeks.
The Pukpuk Treaty — named after the pidgin word for crocodile — was expected to be finalised before Mr Albanese departed PNG after attending the nation's 50th independence celebrations. The pact would commit Australia and PNG to defend each other in the event of a military attack and has been widely viewed as a counter to China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.
PNG Defence Minister Billy Joseph previously described the agreement as a "mutual defence treaty," saying it would allow the two nations' forces to become "totally integrated." But on Wednesday morning, PNG's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko told the ABC that cabinet approval was still a "work in progress," with ministers scheduled to meet next week.
In place of the treaty, both countries signed a communiqué.
"The Pukpuk Treaty will elevate the defence relationship between Papua New Guinea and Australia to an Alliance," the communiqué read.
"The Treaty will mark the beginning of an historic new chapter between our two countries. It will reflect and deepen the trust we share as the closest of neighbours, partners and friends."
Mr Albanese told reporters the treaty had been agreed and would be signed "following cabinet processes in both countries." Calling it Australia's first new alliance in more than 70 years, he said it would "elevate our relationship to the status of an alliance".
"It contains a mutual defence commitment under which both countries recognise that both Australia and PNG have a mutual interest in our security," he said. "It also will be a reflection of our shared commitment to regional security, our shared values and the depth of our partnership."
The PM described the agreement as a "historic step" and said it underscored that Australia and PNG are the "truest of friends".
"We're there for each other when times are tough, but we take pleasure and joy in each other's achievements," Mr Albanese said.
PNG Prime Minister James Marape said the defence strategy was in the interests of both countries, noting: "Australia has never abandoned us. It is in our mutual interest to have a defence focus and strategy that's mutual for two nations working side by side."
He also emphasised that the proposal originated from PNG.
"It was not Australia's proposal. Australia never asked for this. I want to say thank you very much, my brother," Mr Marape said.
"Part of this constructed defence treaty is not an isolated defence treaty program, working with our police, working with our judiciary, working with full government of the law and justice sector. In the next 10 years, we want to deliver PNG a safer country for all the children of this country to be safe.
"Australia is our security partner of choice. My defence minister will be talking to all our bilateral partners elsewhere, from around the world. It's in our shared interests and our defence forces are interoperable; my number one task is to protect the country. In the interests of protecting the country, I'm making this call."
Mr Marape also rejected suggestions the deal was linked to the Australian government's support for a rugby league team in PNG.
"This has nothing whatsoever to do with the rugby league team," he said. "I want to distance rugby league from this treaty. Even if there was no rugby league team in 2028, I would have signed this treaty."
The delay marks the second time in two weeks Mr Albanese has returned from the Pacific without a signed deal, after a $500 million security pact with Vanuatu was postponed earlier this month. Australia has sought to strengthen its presence in the region through agreements with Pacific nations, including a climate pact with Tuvalu and a migration deal with Nauru.
The PM dismissed suggestions that the communique represented a setback, calling it "perfectly understandable" that PNG's cabinet had been focused on independence celebrations.
He stressed the treaty wording had already been finalised, with the communique outlining "precisely what is in the treaty".
"We're releasing that for everyone to see today and this is very positive, very positive. There is no downside in this whatsoever," Mr Albanese said.
Independence celebrations concluded Tuesday night with a mass gathering at Port Moresby's Sir John Guise Stadium.
