02/10/2025
Papua New Guinea and Australia Elevate Defence Relations with Mutual Defence Treaty
Port Moresby | 2 October 2025 – Prime Minister Hon. James Marape today announced that Cabinet has formally approved the landmark Mutual Defence Treaty between Papua New Guinea and Australia, elevating the two countries’ defence and security partnership to its highest level in history.
“Australia has only one other mutual defence treaty of this type and at our request Papua New Guinea will now sign this treaty”. Prime Minister Marape said. “This reflects the depth of trust, history, and shared future between our two nations.”
Ratification Process
The Prime Minister clarified that the treaty will undergo the constitutional Section 117 process, with the ratification presented to the PNG Parliament, while Australia will undertake its own ratification through its Parliament in Canberra.
“Our Constitution is not offended by this agreement. Section 206 of our Constitution allows for our Defence Force to work in synergy with other visiting defence forces, and this treaty is consistent with that provision,” Prime Minister Marape emphasised.
Building on a Strong Foundation
The relationship between PNG and Australia is long and enduring and has been anchored many areas of cooperation. For Defence, PNG operated under a Status of Forces Agreement after independence and, in 2013, signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement with Australia.
“Now this treaty elevates our relationship to the highest level, where force synergies, and capacity development for interoperability is reached. Australia is our foundational relationship country. We are geographically close and beyond geography, our people have coexisted well before 1975 and after independence. Today, Australia remains our single biggest bilateral partner, and consistent with our past, we are shaping our future,” the Prime Minister said.
Strengthening Security and Defence Capacity
Prime Minister Marape stressed that the treaty is not about geopolitics but is focused on strengthening our shared region and PNG domestic security.
“Papua New Guinea is a big country with over 10 million people and security fragility is evident and it is PNG’s interest to develop our security forces to best standards and with this synergy, I am certain we will reach this goal.
“This treaty allows PNG’s defence capacity to be elevated by leveraging Australian defence capabilities. This partnership strengthens our ability to respond to our country’s key security priorities.
Enhancing Defence Forces
The treaty outlines steps to modernise and strengthen PNG’s defence capacity across all domains:
• Navy and Maritime Security: Increased capacity to police PNG’s vast maritime borders.
• Air Wing and Air Defence: Enhanced air force capacity through new capabilities and training.
• Infantry and Land Battalions: Strengthened land forces and the establishment of special forces arrangements.
• Reserve and National Guard: Development of 3,000 reservists and national volunteers, with provisions for up to 10,000 Papua New Guineans to serve with the Australian Defence Force under dual arrangements, while PNG builds its own 7,000-strong Defence Force.
“This treaty is not just about maintaining barracks and boats. We are investing in both hardware and software for defence so that we can effectively police our borders and safeguard our nation,” Prime Minister Marape explained.
Safeguarding Sovereignty
Prime Minister Marape assured the nation that PNG’s sovereignty remains intact.
“Our Defence Force will always report to the Commander of the PNG Defence Force. Australians, including Papua New Guineans enlisted into the Australian Defence Force, will report to the Australian commander. Both forces will train and operate side by side, but sovereignty is never compromised. We also respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our neighbours.”
The treaty also recognises that both PNG and Australia maintain defence relationships with other nations. “Provisions are in place to respect third-party relationships,” Prime Minister Marape said.
A Treaty for PNG’s Next 50 Years
Looking to the future, Prime Minister Marape described the treaty as a foundation for the next chapter of PNG’s history.
“Our sovereignty is defined by our national security. This treaty strengthens PNG’s security and defence capacities as we embark on the next 50 years. It is about ensuring Papua New Guinea is safe, secure, and prepared to protect its people and borders.”
