Australia, Papua New Guinea delay mutual defence treaty

AUSTRALIA and Papua New Guinea failed to sign a long-awaited mutual defence treaty as expected yesterday, as Canberra seeks to deepen ties with Pacific nations and counter Beijing’s rising influence.

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The deal - known as the Pukpuk treaty - was set to see the two nations commit to defending each other from armed attacks as they face “emerging threats” to their security, according to a copy seen by AFP.

It was widely expected to be signed by leaders Anthony Albanese and James Marape yesterday in Port Moresby.

But the two sides instead said the signing would take place “following Cabinet processes in both countries”.

The joint communique did not detail the reason for the delay, although Albanese previously said the approval by the Papua New Guinean cabinet due on Monday had been delayed by the country’s independence celebrations.

The two sides agreed to “strengthening and expanding defence coop-eration through enhanced capability, interoperability and integration’, the statement said.