The recently signed Mutual Defence Treaty, the "Pukpuk Treaty”, will now go through the finals step of the process, which is to progress to the National Parliament for ratification, so to come into effect.

Prime Minister James Marape said this is the process as per the laws of Papua New Guinea (PNG).

“Subject to Section 117 of our Constitution, our parliament will have a handle of this Treaty, and parliament will then ratify and upon ratification, it becomes a Treaty Document in which our two defence forces coexist going forward into the future,” said Prime Minister Marape.

The prime minister also made it very clear that the treaty is subject to a review of its status, to determine its continuity.

“Our defence ministers will meet at the defence ministers’ biannual meetings to ensure that the operationalization of this treaty is not out of sync.”

“The work of this Treaty will be and must be consistently consistent with each nation’s Constitutional requirements and of course, our obligations to the United Nation’s charter for first response to peace and the upkeep of peace.”

The Pukpuk Treaty was signed by Prime Minister Marape and his Australian counterpart, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Monday 6th October 2025.