Apart from the big announcement on Thursday confirming PNG’s inclusion in the NRL, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his counterpart Prime Minister James Marape in a joint statement announced the entry into force of the Australia – Papua New Guinea Bilateral Security Agreement. According to the statement, as a legally binding framework for closer security relations, the Agreement is a landmark chapter in the Australia – Papua New Guinea Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership. It stated that the Agreement elevates, broadens and modernizes the two nation’s longstanding security relationship, ensuring consultation on security-related developments and allows them to work even more closely together to contribute to the region’s security. Since signing the Agreement in December 2023, Australia has responded quickly to support Papua New Guinea’s defence and internal security priorities as its security partner of choice. This includes Australian support to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary by commencing construction on new policing facilities, delivering a new police patrol vessel, as well as support for recruitment, training and forensics. Australia has expanded its flagship Australia – Papua New Guinea Law and Justice Partnership to boost the delivery of initiatives to promote safe and secure communities across Papua New Guinea. Both leaders also welcomed PNG’s establishment, with Australian support, of a training centre to help PNG build a stronger and more capable police force. The training centre will serve as one of the Centres of Excellence under the Pacific Policing Initiative, a landmark initiative endorsed at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum by Pacific leaders. Australia and PNG’s security partnership is grounded in the strategic trust shared as near neighbours, close partners and friends. Both countries share an interest in a safe, stable, peaceful, and prosperous Pacific and have a proud history of working together to progress this vision.