Australia, PNG Sign Historic Pukpuk Defense Treaty

Published OCT 6

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Above: Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape on Oct. 6, 2025. Image copyright: David Gray/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

The Pukpuk defense treaty represents Australia's first alliance in over 70 years and elevates PNG to the same level as the U.S. and New Zealand. This historic agreement demonstrates Australia's commitment to regional security through diplomacy rather than relying on distant powers. The treaty makes Australia safer by focusing on actual defensive priorities instead of wasteful programs like AUKUS.

Australian The Saturday Paper

Establishment-critical narrative

The Pukpuk treaty risks destabilizing PNG by militarizing a country that needs coastguard capabilities, not combat readiness for foreign conflicts. Australia lacks the capacity to defend PNG effectively and could be drawn into Indonesian border conflicts or tribal violence. This rushed agreement abandons PNG's neutrality policy without proper parliamentary debate or public consultation.

Devpolicy The Conversation