Prime Minister James Marape says Papua New Guinea and Australia have begun work on establishing a recruitment pathway that will allow qualified Papua New Guineans to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
The Prime Minister announced this after meeting Australian High Commissioner Ewen McDonald at Melanesian Haus in Port Moresby last week to discuss implementation of the initiative under the PNG-Australia Mutual Defence Treaty, also known as the Pukpuk Treaty.
PM Marape said legal clearance had been completed on Papua New Guinea’s side and work was now progressing between the PNG Defence Force, the Australian Defence Force and relevant government agencies.
“Our legal clearance has been completed on the Papua New Guinea side, and work is now progressing to enable qualified Papua New Guineans to be selected and enlisted into the Australian Defence Force,” PM Marape said.
He said recruitment would be conducted by the Australian Defence Force under its normal selection standards and would not be automatic.
Applicants will be required to meet professional, educational, medical, physical, character and security requirements before being accepted.
“This will not be automatic recruitment. Applicants will have to qualify, pass the required assessments and satisfy the standards of the Australian Defence Force,” PM Marape said.
He said successful recruits would have a pathway to permanent residency and Australian citizenship under arrangements currently being developed.
The initiative follows the Pukpuk Treaty, which came into force on July 8 after the exchange of diplomatic notes between PM Marape and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the Annual Leaders’ Dialogue in Brisbane.
PM Marape said the program would provide employment opportunities while giving Papua New Guineans access to professional military training in engineering, aviation, logistics, communications, health, information technology, maritime operations and leadership.
“These are life-long skills. Those selected will not only have employment opportunities but will also receive training, discipline and professional development that can benefit them and their families into the future,” he said.
He stressed that the initiative would also strengthen the Papua New Guinea Defence Force through improved training, infrastructure, equipment, working conditions and operational capability.
“We cannot only create opportunities for our people to serve in the Australian Defence Force while neglecting our own Defence Force.”
“The Papua New Guinea Defence Force must also be improved, modernized, properly resourced and adequately supported,” PM Marape said.
He said the Government would continue working with Australia to improve training facilities, accommodation, communications systems and technical programs for PNGDF personnel.
PM Marape also warned Papua New Guineans not to pay anyone claiming they could guarantee recruitment into the Australian Defence Force.
“No person should pay money to anyone promising them a place in the Australian Defence Force. “
“All recruitment will be conducted through official Government and Australian Defence Force processes,” he said.
He thanked Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, High Commissioner Ewen McDonald and the Australian Government for supporting the initiative, describing it as an opportunity to create jobs while strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.