Papua New Guinea’s Cabinet has reportedly approved the terms of a mutual defence treaty with Australia, weeks after leaders from both countries were delayed from signing the document.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had hoped to finalise the historic agreement earlier this month while joining official celebrations for the 50th anniversary of PNG’s independence.

According to The Australian , the terms for the pact was endorsed on Wednesday with an “absolute majority” by PNG’s cabinet, with Prime Minister James Marape to announce the breakthrough “later today”.

Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles on Wednesday also declared he was “confident” the signing of the defence treaty would occur “in the very near future”.

More to come...

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