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Australia will gain access to Papua New Guinea's armed forces bases and personnel under a new agreement that will result in both nations support one another if an armed conflict occurs.

“Australia remains our preferred security ally, and this is understood... Our broader relationships remain intact,” stated the Papua New Guinea leader.

This agreement will permit up to 10,000 Papua New Guineans to enlist in the Australian Defence Force. They will also have the opportunity to obtain Australian citizenship.

Pact Provisions

Dubbed the Pukpuk Treaty (which translates to "crocodile" in local dialect), the two-nation deal is the most recent in a line of deals struck between countries in the Pacific and powers vying for a security presence in the Pacific zone.

The pact has the ability to bite and, in the manner of this predator, its bite force demonstrates the joint capability and readiness of the defence units for hostilities.

A military assault on one of the nations would be “a risk to mutual safety” so the two are to “act to meet the common danger”.

Deeper Partnership

The deal also included expanded partnership around cyberspace and electronic combat.

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

• Initially, to curb foreign presence in PNG by making certain it does not have the equivalent entry to infrastructure.
• Furthermore, to tackle Australia's recent challenges building defence numbers.
• In conclusion, the agreement also demonstrates a stance to foreign governments.

The advantages of the agreement were multi-faceted, per analysis from a regional security expert.

“PNG has an oversupply of able-bodied citizens who are willing to do this kind of work,” they said, stating that many people would be drawn to the prospects of residing in the country and potentially obtaining citizenship.

Pacific Consequences

The treaty forms part of a termed hub and spokes network of security agreements in the area – with Australia at the core and regional countries being the partners.

Questions have emerged that the agreement could weaken the nation's ‘friends to all, enemies to none’ international approach by linking PNG with its partner on every defence issue.

Both sides need more precise understanding on the anticipated outcomes, duties and commitments.

This agreement also included regular collaborative training which were about “demonstrating capability,” to “demonstrate combined operational readiness and rapid response to regional dangers”.

The pact would help enhance the defence force, bringing a significant boost in both equipment and esprit de corps.