Australian defence deal to train Papua New Guinea troops a 'win-win'

Thousands of Papua New Guineans will be eligible to join the Australian Defence Force within months.

A specialist taskforce to recruit PNG citizens will be set up, with as many as 10,000 Papua New Guineans tipped to join the Australian Defence Force, including infantrymen and medics.

PNG permanent residents in Australia will be eligible to join the defence force from January.

The taskforce was set up as part of the landmark Pukpuk treaty signed by the neighbouring nations two weeks ago, with Australia making multi-million dollar pledges to strengthen Papua New Guinea’s defence capabilities.

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Pacific Affairs Minister Pat Conroy announced funding for facilities, training and weapons alongside a delegation of PNG ministers in Canberra during the first ministerial forum between the two countries since the treaty was signed.

“Today’s ministerial forum is very much around operationalising the alliance which we have just formed,” Mr Marles said.

The recruitment taskforce is set to have its first meeting this year.

“They will be members of the ADF, so there will be no coaching going on from Papua New Guinea Defence Force,” PNG Defence Minister Billy Joseph told reporters.

Deputy PNG Prime Minister John Russo called it a “win-win on both sides” as it enhances Australia’s defence capabilities while providing jobs to young Papua New Guineans.

Australia will also provide $7.7 million to fund the construction of a 200-bed facility at the Goldie River Barracks in PNG and $2.2 million to design barracks in the province of Hela.

“This will enable an additional 200 soldiers to be trained each and every year into the PNG,” Mr Marles said.

“We’re also announcing that beginning next year, we will be training six PNG pilots each year to build [air crew] capacity.”

Mr Marles said 3500 rifles will be provided to the PNG defence force over the next four years.

An education and skills package worth over $150 million will be delivered to support PNG’s “productivity, economic growth and human development”, as well as a $25 million humanitarian aid disaster package.

Among the defence initiatives, Mr Conroy added that Australia was PNG’s largest trade and investment partner, labelling the new NRL team the PNG Chiefs as a key economic partnership.

“I can’t wait to see them getting on the field in 2028 and they’ll soon dominate the competition,” Mr Conroy said.

The pact means PNG joins the United States and New Zealand as the third defence ally of Australia, and the newest in 70 years.

The signing of the Pukpuk treaty, named after the PNG word for crocodile, was initially due to be signed in Port Moresby in September but was delayed as PNG celebrated the 50th anniversary of its independence.