AUSTRALIA AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA TO ESTABLISH RECRUITMENT TASKFORCE

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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon. Richard Marles MP attends Papua New Guinea 50th Anniversary of Independence celebrations in Lae. *** Local Caption *** On Monday 15 September, Prime Minister of Australia the Hon. Anthony Albanese MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon. Richard Marles MP and Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs the Hon. Pat Conroy MP travelled to Papua New Guinea (PNG) to take part in PNG’s 50th Anniversary of Independence celebrations. Australia’s relationship with PNG is grounded in strategic trust. We share a common history and an enduring bond as neighbours, partners and friends, Australia and PNG have, and always will, walk together "side by side and step by step.

Following the signing of the Pukpuk Treaty, Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) will commence working together on a recruitment pathway to enable PNG citizens to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

As an essential part of this, both countries will establish a bilateral Australia-PNG recruitment taskforce to oversee the development of that pathway.

The recruitment taskforce will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Marles and Defence Minister Billy Joseph and made up of officials from both countries with the first meeting to occur before the end of 2025.

Among its key focus points, the taskforce will establish a methodical and considered process to identify eligible Papua New Guinean citizens to join the ADF.

The taskforce will also focus on providing opportunities to PNG’s youth, while maintaining the integrity of ADF recruitment standards and continuing to help support growth of the PNGDF as an independent sovereign force.

Australia and PNG will work in partnership to develop a sustainable pathway for PNG citizens to enlist in the ADF. 

This initiative will take time to develop and refine, however both Australia and PNG are committed to its success.

This builds on the announcement that eligible permanent residents living in Australia who are also Papua New Guinea citizens can apply to join the ADF from 1 January 2026.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said:

“Developing a recruitment pathway from Papua New Guinea into the Australian Defence Force is a historic step – reflecting our shared history and commitment to enhance integration between our two countries.

“I look forward to working with my good friend and counterpart, Minister Joseph, to develop a taskforce that will see this come to fruition.

“Since beginning this process in January, we have now seen a transformation in our defence relationship through the signing of the Pukpuk Treaty, which is reflected in what we are doing in terms of recruitment, our exercises and our operations together.”

9 COMMENTS

  3. What are wonderful treaty are sign to Papua new guinean…. really appreciate the Australian Military to giving us this opportunity I’m ready to be my country’s soldier boy …. Thank you so much Defence minister and our prime minister to sign this treaty appreciate all the hardship of your leaderships

  5. thank you soo much for such a wonderful treaty sign to PNG.. thanks to our good leaders..to bring such a wonderful opportunity.. please I really want to be part of the recruitment..

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