Up to 10,000 Papua New Guineans could soon serve in the Australian Defence Force under a long-awaited military agreement that’s finally been approved by Port Moresby and is expected to be signed within days.

On Thursday PNG Prime Minister James Marape confirmed his cabinet had now agreed to the terms of the Pukpuk Treaty which he said would ensure the Pacific country was “safe, secure, and prepared to protect its people and borders”.

The West Australian understands Anthony Albanese and Mr Marape, along with several PNG cabinet ministers, are planning to sign the document in Canberra on Monday, ahead of Federal Parliament returning.

In a statement Mr Marape stressed that the document which prevents China from striking a similar deal was “not about geopolitics but is focused on strengthen

See Full Page