Papua New Guinea, Australia will commit to mutual defence | International

PORT MORESBY, Sept 16, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - A new defence treaty between Australia and Papua New Guinea commits to defending each other if they are attacked in the face of "emerging threats", a copy of the deal seen by AFP on Tuesday showed. The pact -- seen as an attempt to counter Beijing's rising Pacific influence -- is expected to be signed by leaders Anthony Albanese and James Marape on Wednesday in Port Moresby. It comes as the Pacific nation celebrates 50 years of independence from Australia. "Each Party recognises that an armed attack on either of the Parties within the Pacific would be dangerous to each other's peace and security and the security of the Pacific," it states. Both...