Australia and Papua New Guinea have officially become formal allies after the landmark Pukpuk Treaty entered into force, marking Papua New Guinea’s first alliance with any nation and Australia’s first new military alliance in more than 70 years.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape announced the treaty’s commencement following their Annual Leaders’ Dialogue in Brisbane, describing it as a historic milestone in bilateral relations and regional security.
The Pukpuk Treaty includes a mutual defence commitment, recognising that an armed attack on either country represents a threat to both nations and the broader Indo-Pacific region. It commits both governments to consult, cooperate and, if required, act together to address shared security threats while safeguarding each nation’s sovereignty.
Albanese said the treaty reflected the deep trust between the two neighbours.
“The entry into force of the Pukpuk Treaty is a momentous step in the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea. Our alliance reflects the deep trust we share as the closest of neighbours, partners and friends,” he said.
“In an uncertain world, this treaty demonstrates our shared commitment to a region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous.”
Marape described the agreement as Papua New Guinea’s sovereign choice and stressed that the Papua New Guinea Defence Force would remain under its own command while benefiting from closer cooperation with Australia.
The treaty is expected to deepen integration between the Australian Defence Force and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, including joint capability development, enhanced interoperability and a pathway for citizens of each country to serve in the other’s defence force.
The leaders also highlighted the growing economic relationship, noting bilateral trade reached $10 billion in 2025, and reaffirmed cooperation across infrastructure, telecommunications, health, education, labour mobility and climate resilience.
Alongside the defence announcement, Albanese joined Marape and the prime ministers of Samoa and Tonga to launch the Pacific Rugby League Partnership.
Backed by a $250 million Australian commitment over the next decade, the initiative aims to strengthen rugby league across Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji while creating pathways into education, leadership and employment.
The funding forms part of Australia’s broader $600 million investment in Pacific rugby league, including support for the Papua New Guinea Chiefs joining the NRL in 2028.
The partnership will establish school competitions, expand women’s rugby league, strengthen national competitions and support community programs focused on youth engagement and violence prevention.
Albanese said rugby league had become a powerful tool for strengthening regional ties. “The Pacific Rugby League Partnership is about far more than a game – it’s an investment in people as much as it is sport,” he said.
“Through one of Australia’s favourite sporting codes, we are bringing our Pacific family closer together.”
The announcements come as Australia continues to deepen strategic engagement across the Pacific through a series of new security and economic agreements, including the Vuvale Union with Fiji, the Nakamal Agreement with Vanuatu, the Falepili Union with Tuvalu and the Nauru–Australia Treaty. Together, these initiatives form a central pillar of the Albanese Government’s Pacific strategy aimed at enhancing regional security, resilience and prosperity.
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