Anthony Albanese has been asked point blank if Australians are “willing to die defending another country” as he prepares to ink a historic mutual defence pact with Papua New Guinea.
The treaty is reportedly legally binding and compels Australia and PNG to defend each other if either is attacked.
It also gives the Australian Defence Force more freedom to operate on PNG’s territory.
Speaking to media in Port Moresby on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said it was unrealistic that Australia “would sit back and watch” if Papua New Guinea was attacked.
“The idea that Papua New Guinea could be under attack and we would sit back and watch ignores the history which is there between our two great nations,” Mr Albanese told reporters.
“Ignores geography and ignores practical issues as well.”
He called Australia’s northern neighbour a “great democracy” and said the treaty “is about advancing the sovereignty and security of both of our nations”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia would defend Papua New Guinea. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard
Indonesia ‘consulted’
Mr Albanese earlier played down concerns that Indonesia might be unhappy with the arrangement.
While PNG officially recognises Indonesia’s sovereignty over West Papua, skirmishes occasionally break out between pro-independence militia and Indonesian troops along the 820km border.
There is also some political support for the West Papuan independence movement within PNG.
During a morning show blitz, Mr Albanese was asked what Australia would do “if PNG is in a stink with Indonesia”.
“Indonesia has of course been consulted on this,” he told Nine’s Today.
“And you know, PNG and Indonesia have a good relationship – the vice-president of Indonesia is here.”
Mr Albanese also said Australia’s relationship with Indonesia “is strong”.
“We recognise Indonesia’s sovereignty and Papua New Guinea’s sovereignty as well,” he said.
PNG Prime Minister Jamese Marape was the first Pacific leader to address both houses of Australia’s parliament. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard
‘Mutual respect’
The treaty, which has been years in the making, is set to be signed on Wednesday – a day after the 50th anniversary of PNG’s independence from Australia.
In a statement marking the anniversary, Mr Albanese announced that Australia would build a new ministerial wing for PNG’s parliament, saying the “gift recognises our common understanding of the democratic principles that underpin the modern Australia-PNG relationship and the role of our parliaments in reflecting the voices of our people”.
“Our support for the expansion of Parliament House is an investment in Papua New Guinea’s democracy and sovereignty that will benefit future generations,” Mr Albanese said.
“At a ceremony held in Port Moresby on the day of independence in 1975, Australia’s then prime minister Gough Whitlam observed ours is ‘a relationship of equals, based on mutual respect, understanding and trust’.
“As close neighbours and warm friends, the future prosperity of our two nations are bound together.”
Australia and PNG are about to sign a treaty requiring both countries to defend each other. Picture: Handout / Government of Papua New Guinea / AFP
The Albanese government has kept mum on the details of the deal, publicly acknowledging bits and pieces.
PNG’s government has not been so tight-lipped.
Citing a copy of the treaty included in a submission to PNG’s national cabinet, the ABC reported it declared an attack on either Australia or PNG “dangerous to the other’s peace and security” and promised to “act to meet the common danger”.
“The treaty is meant to prepare our militaries to be battle-ready and for a very bad day,” the submission is reported to have said.
“It has the ability to bite and like a crocodile, its bite force speaks of the interoperability’s and preparedness of the military for war.”
‘War’
Talk of war has spiked in recent years as Western governments, including Australia, hawkishly watch China’s rapidly military build-up and ever-expanding economic might.
The Trump administration has warned that China could make a move on Taiwan as early as 2027 – a view taken seriously in Canberra, according to government sources.
And yet the Albanese government has pushed back on a demand from Washington to hike defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP, arguing it must first determine what capabilities Australia needs rather than set a target.
The Coalition rejects that argument.
Opposition defence spokesman Angus Taylor accused Labor of “underfunding our defence force at a critical time”.
“The Chinese Communist Party is seeking to extend its influence across the South Pacific,” Mr Taylor told Today.
“We saw it on parade only a short a few days ago.”
He went on to say Australia needs “broader defence investments” than just nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS.
“The objective here isn’t war,” Mr Taylor said.
“It’s peace. It’s deterrence.”
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