Papua New Guineans can apply to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF) from November as part of strengthened defence ties between Australia and the Pacific nation.
Defence Minister Richard Marles and PNG’s defence minister Elias Kapavore are expected to announce an initial recruitment target of 100 in Port Moresby on Tuesday during the annual Australia-PNG ministerial forum (The Australian).
“Not only is this a huge moment for the Australian Defence Force, but also for the history of Papua New Guinea, and our bilateral relationship,” Marles said in a statement (The National Tribune).
“This is a momentous occasion for our Alliance and the history of our two nations; a history that includes unbreakable bonds forged during World War Two,” said Kapavore (The National Tribune).
The first lot of candidates can join the ADF from late 2027, with recruitment focused on university students in Port Moresby and Lae (The Canberra Times).