Australia will elevate its relations with Papua New Guinea to the same level as the US and New Zealand, with a major defence treaty set to be signed as soon as next week.

Delayed last month due to political complications within the PNG government, the new treaty won approval from prime minister James Marape’s cabinet ministers on Wednesday night.

The Pukpuk mutual defence treaty will establish Australia’s first new alliance since the Anzus agreement was signed in 1951. Pukpuk will require both countries to come to the aid of the other in the event of a military attack, and allow citizens of both countries to serve in the defence force of the other. Australia-PNG defence treaty: countries to agree to defend each other from military attack as China’s Pacific influence grows Read more

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