Australia's Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP, and Papua New Guinea's Minister for Defence, the Hon Dr Billy Joseph MP met today in Canberra to begin our pathway from defence partners to allies under the PNG-Australia Mutual Defence Treaty - the Pukpuk Treaty.
Ministers underlined their commitment to establish a bilateral taskforce to oversee the development of a recruitment pathway to enable PNG citizens to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Relevant officials from Australia and PNG will meet in person prior to the end of 2025, further refining a methodical and considered recruitment pathway. As the first step, eligible permanent residents living in Australia who are also PNG citizens will be able to apply to join the ADF from 1 January 2026 - with a view to welcoming the first applicants next year.
Ministers agreed to continue supporting the growth and development of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) as an independent sovereign military. Australia and PNG will upgrade vital facilities at the Goldie River Training Depot outside Port Moresby. This investment will see the delivery of new accommodation and essential services for up to 200 additional PNGDF trainees, with an expected completion in late 2026. The upgraded training facilities will see an increase in the number of recruit and career courses that can be run concurrently.
Australia will also work in close collaboration with PNG on a design for a new PNGDF infantry battalion barracks in Hela Province. This work would ensure that a similar design concept could be applied and adapted to other locations across PNG.
Interoperability between our defence forces is a priority under the new Alliance. Ministers agreed to identify common land force capabilities that will enable our militaries to work even more closely together. Shared capabilities will streamline standard operating procedures and maximise training opportunities during military exercises. Ministers have agreed to further uplift PNGDF's capability through the provision of Australian-made combat rifles. The rollout of replacement weapons will include further work on armouries and additional steps to enhance weapons security.
Australia and PNG will also expand defence aviation cooperation by building on current pilot, aircrew and aircraft maintenance training initiatives under the Flights of Excellence program. From 2026, Australia will support the training of up to six pilots from the PNGDF each year to build their air capacity, in addition to training for engineers and other air crew. A strong aviation safety culture is crucial to our commitment to build a sustainable sovereign air capability with PNG.
Our Alliance is a natural evolution of our close and longstanding defence ties, seen earlier this year when PNG hosted the first ever component of exercise Talisman Sabre outside Australia, and last week with the involvement of three Army Chinook helicopters in Exercise Wantok Warrior - which has been conducted every year since 2009. The Pukpuk Treaty will take this to the next level.
The alliance reflects our commitment to each other and to a region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous. Together, Australia and PNG will continue to build our unique partnership for the betterment of our nations and our peoples.
