Cabinet approves mutual defence pact with Canberra

Papua New Guinea’s cabinet has approved a mutual defence treaty with Australia, the Pacific country’s prime minister said yesterday, as Canberra seeks to deepen ties with the region and counter Beijing's rising influence.

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Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York City, on Sept 26.

(REUTERS)

The deal will see the two nations commit to defending each other from armed attacks as they face “emerging threats” to their security.

But it ran into controversy in Papua New Guinea over fears it would erode the country’s hard-fought sovereignty and nonaligned foreign policy.

Officials from the Pacific nation’s government's legal office and foreign ministry confirmed the cabinet had approved the deal on Wednesday.