Australia Finalizes Key Defence Agreement with PNG

Australia will secure entry to Papua New Guinea's armed forces bases and personnel under a recently concluded pact that will ensure the two countries support one another if one faces aggression.

The security treaty will enable a maximum of 10,000 Papua New Guineans to serve in the nation's armed forces. They will also have the opportunity to become Australian citizens.

Treaty Details

Known as the Crocodile Agreement (signifying "the crocodile" in Papua New Guinean pidgin), the mutual pact is the latest in a succession of treaties concluded among countries in the Pacific and countries seeking a defence footprint in the region.

This agreement has the ability to bite and, in the manner of this predator, its strength speaks of the cooperation and preparedness of the defence units for conflict.

Hostile action on either country would be “a threat to the partner's stability” so each must “respond to the shared threat”.

Deeper Partnership

This agreement also included expanded partnership around online security and electronic combat.

Earlier, the PNG Defence Minister said that the treaty would mean that Australian and PNG forces would be “fully combined”.

• First, to restrict outside power in Papua New Guinea by guaranteeing it does not have the equivalent entry to infrastructure.
• Second, to resolve the nation's recent struggles recruiting for its military.
• Lastly, the deal also communicates a point to international actors.

The benefits of the agreement were three-pronged, as stated by a Pacific affairs specialist.

“PNG has an oversupply of able-bodied citizens who are willing to do this kind of work,” the expert noted, adding that numerous individuals would be interested in the prospects of moving to Australia and possibly securing permanent status.

Regional Implications

This agreement forms part of a so-called core-and-periphery system of security agreements in the Pacific – with Australia at the heart and Pacific states being the spokes.

There are concerns that the agreement may compromise the nation's non-aligned diplomatic stance by aligning PNG with Australia on every defence issue.

Both sides need enhanced definition on the anticipated outcomes, responsibilities and commitments.

The deal also included yearly combined drills which were about “demonstrating capability,” to “highlight joint defence capacity and swift mobilization against outside risks”.

This treaty would help modernise the nation's military, bringing a notable improvement in both material and morale.