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The Australian nation will obtain rights to PNG's defence infrastructure and personnel under a freshly signed deal that will result in the two countries support one another if one faces aggression.

“Australia remains our preferred security ally, and this is understood... Our broader relationships remain intact,” stated the Papua New Guinea leader.

The pact will enable up to 10,000 nationals of Papua New Guinea to enlist in the Australian Defence Force. They will also have the opportunity to gain permanent residency in Australia.

Pact Provisions

Referred to as the Crocodile Agreement (which translates to "this reptile" in Papua New Guinean pidgin), the two-nation deal is the most recent in a line of deals struck between regional states and powers competing for a military influence in the area.

The pact possesses significant force and, similar to the crocodile, its bite force highlights the cooperation and preparedness of the defence units for hostilities.

An armed attack on one of the nations would be “a threat to the partner's stability” so the two are to “respond to the shared threat”.

Expanded Cooperation

The deal also covered greater collaboration around digital domains and electronic combat.

Earlier, the PNG Defence Minister indicated that the treaty would mean that the military units of both nations would be “totally integrated”.

• First, to restrict external influence in PNG by guaranteeing it does not have the equivalent entry to resources.
• Furthermore, to resolve the nation's recent difficulties recruiting for its military.
• Lastly, the pact also sends a message to international actors.

The advantages of the deal were three-pronged, according to a defence analyst.

“PNG has an oversupply of able-bodied citizens who are willing to do this kind of work,” they said, adding that a significant number would be attracted by the prospects of moving to Australia and potentially getting Australian citizenship.

Pacific Consequences

This agreement forms part of a so-called centralized security framework of security agreements in the region – with the nation at the centre and island nations being the partners.

Questions have emerged that the pact undermines PNG's ‘friends to all, enemies to none’ foreign policy position by aligning the country with Australia on each safety concern.

Each party need more precise understanding on the anticipated outcomes, obligations and pledges.

The deal also included yearly combined drills which were about “demonstrating capability,” to “demonstrate combined operational readiness and rapid response to regional dangers”.

This treaty would help enhance the nation's military, bringing a significant boost in both resources and morale.