Confusion in Papua New Guinea Delays Signing of Defence Treaty With Australia

The 2 countries’ leaders have signed a communiqué agreeing to continue work on the treaty, which may be ratified next week.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (2nd R) participates in an official signing ceremony with Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape (2nd L) at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Dec. 7, 2023. Hilary Wardhaugh/AFP via Getty Images

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is leaving Papua New Guinea (PNG) without the defence treaty he had hoped for after a confused and somewhat shambolic response derailed plans to have it signed while he was in the country to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its independence.

Instead, he and PNG Prime Minister James Marape have agreed to sign a communiqué agreeing to continue the negotiating process.