Having finally signed treaty, Australia must strengthen PNG defences

by Anthony Bergin | Oct 9, 2025 | China, South Pacific

Recruitment in the region sits comfortably with the goal of security integration with Canberra, at a pace and scale welcomed by Pacific Island countries. on Monday, Anthony Albanese and PNG Prime Minister James Marape will sign amutual defence treaty known as the...

Beijing is running rings around us in Pacific

by Peter Jennings | Sep 21, 2025 | China, Policy, South Pacific

The Albanese government’s failure to conclude security treaties with Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu shows the hollowness of Australian foreign policy in the Pacific. Not finalising these deals is the result of insufficient diplomatic engagement, a lack of genuine local...

Leveraging PNG’s strengths and location to become a small maritime power

by Anthony Bergin | Mar 2, 2024 | Indo Pacific, South Pacific

As Papua New Guinea is our closest neighbour, we’ve got direct security interests in the country’s maritime and border security. Porous borders and poor law and order in PNG waters poses risks to Australia, whether it be from illegal immigrants, biosecurity hazards or...

Who will PNG call for assistance when Port Moresby is burning?

by Peter Jennings | Jan 16, 2024 | Indo Pacific, South Pacific

Large-scale rioting, looting and burning took place in Port Moresby last week, sparked by a payroll “glitch” deducting up to $120 a fortnight from public service pay packets, includ­ing Papua New Guinea police, defence and corrections personnel. Several hundred...

Modi goes to PNG – why it matters to the region and Australia

by Anthony Bergin | May 19, 2023 | South Pacific

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Papua New Guinea early next week and then go on to Australia, despite the cancellation of the Quad Leaders’ summit. Fortunately, Prime Minister Modi’s visit to PNG wasn’t linked to US President Biden’s cancelled visit to...