Formal negotiations for a bilateral defence treaty between Australia and Papua New Guinea are underway. It's a move that could have major implications for the pacific region.
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00:00It's a move designed to draw the two nations even closer together, with Australia keen
00:06to box out Chinese influence in the region.
00:10Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and his PNG counterpart Billy Joseph kicked
00:14off negotiations today in Brisbane.
00:17A timeline to formalise the treaty hasn't been announced, but the ABC has been told
00:21both countries are keen to move quickly.
00:24PNG's Prime Minister James Murape says discussions could include plans for Papua New Guineans
00:29to serve in the ADF.
00:31I can't pre-empt the entire process, but I can indicate that Australia has certainly
00:36indicated they are struggling to find manpower to work, not just the frontline defence force
00:43sector, but they're struggling to also find those who can work in defence industry, support
00:49branches.
00:50PNG has also agreed to host an element of Talisman Sabre, a multinational defence exercise
00:56led by Australia and the United States.
00:59Mr Marles says it will be the first time any of these exercises have been held outside
01:03of Australia.