Albanese's Pacific Defence Deal Hits Snag Despite Earlier Assurances

Latest Blow to Labor's Pacific Defence Strategy Might Not Be the Embarrassment the Coalition Claims Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faced a setback this week when he failed to sign a landmark mutual defence agreement with Papua New Guinea, despite earlier assurances that the deal was all but done. However, experts argue that the delay may not be as significant as the opposition claims. Albanese had been expected to ink the Pukpuk treaty, which would have designated Papua New Guinea as a formal ally of Australia, during his visit to Port Moresby on Wednesday. Instead, he left the country with only a joint communique signed with his counterpart, James Marape. The exact reasons for the delay are unclear. "This is not an embarrassment for Labor," Albanese said in a statement. "Unlike authoritarian regimes, democracies run on proper process and things take time." He emphasized that the agreement would be finalized soon. The Pukpuk treaty was seen as a key component of Australia's Pacific defence strategy, aimed at strengthening ties with its regional partners and countering China's growing influence. The deal would have also marked a significant milestone in Papua New Guinea's relations with Australia, which has been a major aid donor to the country. Experts say that the delay may be due to internal politics within Marape's cabinet or concerns about the agreement's terms. "It's not uncommon for these types of agreements to take time," said Dr. Maria Rost Rubino, a Pacific Islands expert at the Australian National University. "The opposition is trying to make hay out of this, but it's not as significant as they claim." The delay comes on the heels of a similar setback last week when Australia and Vanuatu delayed signing a mutual defence agreement due to concerns about the deal's terms. Albanese must now work to salvage the Papua New Guinea agreement, which is seen as crucial to his government's Pacific defence strategy. The opposition has seized on the delay as evidence that Labor is struggling to implement its policies in the region. The situation highlights the complexities of regional diplomacy and the challenges of navigating complex relationships between nations. As Albanese works to finalize the agreement, he will need to balance competing interests and concerns within his own government and with Papua New Guinea's leaders. In a statement, Marape said that discussions on the Pukpuk treaty would continue in the coming weeks. "We remain committed to strengthening our relationship with Australia," he said. The fate of the agreement remains uncertain, but experts say that it is unlikely to be scrapped altogether. "This delay may be a minor setback, but it's not a deal-breaker," Rubino said. *Reporting by Theguardian.*