PNG Cabinet Backs New Defence Pact, Elevating Ties With Australia to Full Ally Status
The long awaited Pukpuk treaty is now a step closer to being finalised in diplomatic win for Australia against the CCP’s influence in the region.
Papua New Guinea Defence Force soldier Lance Corporal Richard Wamp and Australian Army soldier Gunner Reece Drover transport a M2A2 Howitzer gun at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Courtesy of the Australian Department of Defence
Australia has scored a major victory in its Indo-Pacific diplomacy efforts after the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Cabinet, by “an absolute majority,” agreed to ratify a new defence pact.
The signing of the “Pukpuk Treaty” was postponed two weeks ago amid confusion and mixed messages from PNG’s leaders, and will now go ahead despite threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Rex Widerstrom
Author
Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio.
