Australia and PNG advance on Pukpuk Treaty

Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, and Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Defence, Elias Kapavore MP, met on Sunday 16th August, in Port Moresby for their first ministerial meeting.

During their discussions, Deputy Prime Minister Marles reaffirmed the close and enduring partnership between Australia and Papua New Guinea.

The Pukpuk Treaty – which entered into force on 8 July 2026 – is Papua New Guinea’s first alliance with any country, and Australia’s first in more than 70 years.

The ministers spoke about opportunities to further deepen defence ties and implement priority initiatives under the Pukpuk Treaty, including the development of a recruitment pathway to enable PNG citizens to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Deputy Prime Minister Marles said Australia and Papua New Guinea are the closest of partners and friends, and now allies.

“With the Pukpuk Treaty now in force, we are focused on the next phase of our partnership and delivering practical outcomes that strengthen cooperation between our defence forces and advance our shared security interests.

"I look forward to working with Minister Kapavore to progress the Papua New Guinea recruitment pathway to the ADF, with a shared aspiration to have a pilot program well underway next year." Marles said.

Minister Kapavore said implementing the Pukpuk Treaty is one of my highest priorities.

“I look forward to working with Deputy Prime Minister Marles and our nations’ officials to finalise the priority arrangements and practical outcomes.

“The recruitment of Papua New Guineans to the ADF is momentous and will further strengthen our enduring bond. I’m pleased to say that Deputy Prime Minister Marles and I believe we can deliver the first pilot program in 2027.” Minister Kapavore said.

Australia and PNG continue to demonstrate the strength of the defence partnership between the two nations through recent cooperation activities such as Exercise Puk Puk 2026, which brings together military engineers from the PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) and ADF to deliver infrastructure upgrades at Igam Barracks in Lae; a PNGDF-led mission to transport essential health supplies to communities in West Sepik; hydrographic survey operations conducted by HMAS Leeuwin in partnership with the PNGDF Maritime Element; and the participation of two PNGDF aircraft in last month’s Exercise Pitch Black 2026.