1) Congratulations to the people of PNG on their 50th year of independence
PNG achieved its independence from Australia on the 16 September 1975
And congratulations on their continuous support for the West Papuan people in their struggle for self-determination.
In short:
What's next?
Australia and Papua New Guinea will be legally obliged to defend each other from a military attack on either territory under a landmark defence treaty, the ABC can reveal.
The agreement will also give the Australian Defence Force unimpeded access to a series of designated facilities and areas within Papua New Guinea.
PNG's cabinet endorsed the high-level security pact yesterday, on the eve of the country's 50th anniversary of independence.
The deal, which is expected to be signed tomorrow, will be known as the Pukpuk Treaty — referring to the Papua New Guinean pidgin word for "crocodile".
"The treaty is meant to prepare our militaries to be battle-ready and for a very bad day," a PNG cabinet submission seen by the ABC said.
"It has the ability to bite and like a crocodile, its bite force speaks of the interoperability's and preparedness of the military for war."
PM says he has a 'moral obligation' to build military
The contents of the treaty have not yet been made public yet but the ABC has seen a copy included in a submission to PNG's national cabinet this month.
It says both parties recognise an armed attack on either country would be "dangerous to the other's peace and security", with a promise to "act to meet the common danger".
It will also enable Australia and PNG to recruit citizens from each other's countries into their defence forces.
On Monday, Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape told journalists his key concern was to increase the capacity of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.
"If someone chose to invade our country right now, as your prime minister, I don't have the capacity to defend you," he said at a press conference.
"I have a moral obligation to build my military to a level that I can have the capacity to defend Papua New Guinea, every child."
Collaboration around cyberspace and electromagnetic warfare
The treaty being finalised comes at a time of increasing geo-strategic competition in the Pacific between Australia, the United States and China.
It also comes as Papua New Guinea marks 50 years of independence from Australia, Britain and Germany — with celebrations taking place across the country today.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, and Minister for the Pacific Pat Conroy arrived in PNG on Monday, ahead of the festivities.
Ahead of his visit, Mr Albanese said the treaty would be a "very significant upgrade" in Australia's defence relationship with Papua New Guinea.
"It provides for mutual defence, which means that we will provide support for each other," he told the ABC.
"It provides for an integration of our interoperability of our assets and our respective defence forces."
The pact will see the two nations conduct joint military exercises every year, called Pukpuk exercises, and includes collaboration around cyberspace and electromagnetic warfare, the copy seen by the ABC says.
It says the treaty will be implemented with respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of each other and commitment to act in accordance with the principles of international law.
Former commanders raise concerns about treaty
But plans to "totally integrate" the Australian and PNG defence forces could face major legal and political hurdles in PNG, two former military commanders have warned.
Commodore Peter Ilau, who was the PNG Defence Force commander from October 2001 to January 2010, raised concerns about the implications for PNG's sovereignty.
"The most important question here is, who takes ownership of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force?" he said.
"Loyalty number one must be to Papua New Guinea. If that is guaranteed, then by all means sign a treaty."
PNG has a foreign policy of non-alignment, pledging to be "friends to all and enemies to none".
But Commodore Ilau said the pact appeared to depart from that policy, calling it a "knee jerk" reaction that could affect investment into Papua New Guinea.
"We're putting all our eggs in one basket," he said.
"China and Japan are heavily investing in this country. If we realign ourselves now, we are risking all the investment that's keeping this country afloat."
Jerry Singirok, a former commander of the PNG Defence Force, said Papua New Guinea should protect its independence.
"I think we've been blinded by the fact that Australia is seeing China as a threat," Commander Singirok said.
China's Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu held a bilateral meeting with Mr Marape in Port Moresby today.
When asked by the ABC about the Australia-PNG treaty, he said the question was not related to the Chinese delegation’s visit.
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) reported a sharp drop in PT Freeport Indonesia’s (PTFI) output after a landslide struck the Grasberg Block Cave (GBC) underground mine in Tembagapura, Central Papua, on Monday night, September 8, 2025.
Director General of Mineral and Coal at ESDM, Tri Winarno, confirmed that operations at GBC remain suspended. He said the disaster has cut production by about 70 percent, leaving capacity at only 30 percent of normal levels.
“Production at GBC has stopped for now. Capacity has dropped significantly, possibly to only 30 percent,” Tri told reporters at the parliamentary complex on Monday, September 15.
Freeport’s average ore production in 2024 reached 208,356 tons per day, consisting of copper, gold, and silver. Of that total, GBC contributed about 133,800 tons, or 64 percent of overall output. The current disruption, therefore, has a major impact on company performance.
Tri also revealed that seven workers remain trapped in the landslide, including two foreign nationals from Chile and South Africa, and five Indonesian citizens. “The Freeport team and our ministry are still carrying out search efforts. Their condition cannot yet be confirmed. Whether they are safe, only God knows,” he said.
Freeport’s Vice President of Corporate Communications, Katri Krisnati, explained that a large volume of material had blocked access from one of the underground intake points, restricting evacuation efforts.
“The workers’ location has been identified, and they are believed to be in a safe condition. Our team is working to clear access so evacuation can proceed quickly and safely,” Katri said.
She added that GBC normally relies on remote-operated equipment, but the avalanche had blocked routes in the mine development area. “All other workers have been confirmed safe,” she noted.
The Grasberg mine has a history of accidents. On May 14, 2013, a similar landslide killed 28 of 34 trapped workers. Just two weeks later, another worker was killed after being struck by mud material.
Editor’s Choice: Seven Workers Still Trapped in Freeport Indonesia Mine Landslide
Sentani, Papua (Antara): Cenderawasih University (Uncen) in Papua Province is helping residents of Yoboy and Kehiran villages recycle used cooking oil into biodiesel as part of its community outreach program, reports Antara Industrial News Agency.
Lecturers, students, teachers, and local reading groups joined hands to teach families how to transform waste oil into clean, affordable fuel.
“This knowledge can help households meet their daily energy needs,” said Yohanis Mandik, a science lecturer and head of the community service team, during a demonstration in Yoboy Village, Sentani Subdistrict, Jayapura District, on Sunday.
Mandik explained that reusing cooking oil is harmful to health and discarding it pollutes the environment. “We’re showing an easy way to turn it into biodiesel that can power lamps and stoves,” he said.
Local youth leader Jems Gustaf Tokoro said the program provides practical knowledge to the community. “We hope this can reach other villages around Lake Sentani,” he said.
Hanny Felle, leader of Yoboy’s local energy group, added that residents welcomed the initiative and saw opportunities for both households and small businesses. “It’s a smart way to turn waste into something useful,” she said.
The workshop included hands-on training in filtering oil and producing biodiesel with simple tools and ingredients. The fuel can be used for cooking and lighting, especially in areas with limited access to electricity.
Uncen officials said the project is part of broader efforts to promote self-reliance and environmental awareness in Papua.
“It’s not only about fuel—it’s about helping communities make the most of what they already have,” Mandik said.
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have arrested two men from New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland on charges of attempting to supply firearms to the Free Papua Movement’s armed wing, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM).
AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said the agency takes arms smuggling to international groups very seriously.
“Anyone involved in the illegal arms trade from Australia with the intention of supplying them to international groups should be cautious,” Nutt said in a statement published on the AFP’s official website on Monday, September 15, 2025.
The arrests followed a joint investigation by the Queensland Joint Counter Terrorism Team (QLD JCTT), which includes the AFP, Queensland Police, the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO), and the New Zealand Police.
The probe began after the TPNPB kidnapped New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens in Paro, Papua, in February 2023.
Mehrtens was held captive for 592 days before his release in September 2024.
Police allege that the suspects, a 64-year-old from NSW and a 44-year-old from Queensland, attempted to smuggle firearms and ammunition from Australia to Indonesia.
Investigators also accuse them of discussing plans to obtain Australian military-grade weapons for the Papuan separatist group.
The NSW man faces four additional charges, including unlawful arms trading, illegal export of weapons equipment, and possession of 13.6 kilograms of mercury. He is also accused of smuggling rifle scopes to Papua during a trip in March-April 2024.
The Queensland man has been charged with possession of explosives without a permit. Both men are scheduled to appear before the Brisbane Magistrates Court on October 17, 2025.
Queensland Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Heath Hutchings highlighted the importance of international cooperation in tackling arms smuggling.
“This operation sends a clear message: those seeking to profit from the illegal arms trade will be identified and prosecuted,” Hutchings said.
In response, TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom denied receiving weapons from Australians.
“The TPNPB at the national command has protocols. We at the Central Headquarters Management have never received weapons from Australian citizens. We consider the accusations unfounded because we have no official knowledge of any weapons assistance from Australian citizens,” Sebby stated.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.