In a landmark development following the signing of the historic Pukpuk Treaty, Papua New Guinea and Australia have agreed to establish a joint recruitment taskforce to create a pathway for PNG citizens to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
Minister for Defence, Dr Billy Joseph, announced that the PNG–Australia Recruitment Taskforce will be jointly led by himself and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marle, and will comprise senior defence officials from both nations. The taskforce is expected to hold its first meeting before the end of 2025.
Dr Joseph described the initiative as a “historic step” in strengthening defence cooperation and deepening the bond between the two nations. “Since beginning this process in January, we’ve seen a transformation in our defence relationship through the signing of the Pukpuk Treaty,” he said. “This recruitment partnership marks a new era of cooperation and integration between our countries.”
The taskforce will develop a detailed framework to identify and process eligible Papua New Guineans to serve in the ADF, while upholding strict recruitment standards. It will also focus on creating new opportunities for PNG’s youth, ensuring that the program complements the growth and independence of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF).
The initiative builds on the recent announcement that eligible PNG citizens who are permanent residents of Australia will be able to apply for the ADF from 1 January 2026.
Both governments have reaffirmed their commitment to building a sustainable and mutually beneficial defence relationship — one that symbolises a new chapter of regional partnership, shared security, and trust between PNG and Australia.
Leave a Reply