Australia, Papua New Guinea to sign 'historic' defence deal | International

SYDNEY, Sept 15, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - A defence deal to be signed this week could see Papua New Guineans serve in the Australian military, Canberra said on Monday, the pact seen as an attempt to counter Beijing's rising Pacific influence. The fresh defence agreement will be signed by Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and James Marape on Wednesday in Port Moresby, part of celebrations to mark 50 years of Papua New Guinea's independence from Australia. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles described the deal as "historic". He said Australia's military had been open to foreign nationals from New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States since last year. "At the time we said we would have an eye to the...