Papua New Guinea's foreign minister wants Labor to win Australian election
PNG's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko says he personally hopes Labor wins the Australian election. (Facebook: Justin Tkatchenko)
Papua New Guinea's foreign minister says he personally hopes Labor wins the Australian election, stating the incumbent government had done "a tremendous job" of rebuilding relationships in the Pacific.
He also confirmed PNG's cabinet had cleared the way for negotiations on a new treaty that would see Papua New Guineans serve in the Australian Defence Force.
PNG's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko told the ABC the Labor government had taken a "whole different perspective" towards the region since coming to power in 2022.
Australia's relationship with the Pacific became a key issue during the last election, when Solomon Islands signed a sweeping security pact with China.
At the time, Labor criticised the Coalition over its handling of the deal, labelling it the biggest Australian foreign policy blunder in the Pacific since World War II — a claim the Coalition denied.
Mr Tkatchenko said he did not have anything personal against Peter Dutton or the Coalition, but said he believed political continuity would be good for PNG.
"Our relationship with Australia has never been stronger … and that is in all aspects — treasury, foreign affairs, defence, agriculture, fisheries," he told the ABC.
"My feeling — and you could say this is personal — but why would you want to change something that is working well? If something is working well why replace it, why destroy it?
"I can clearly state that we would, I'm sure, love to see the current Australian government continue and to continue our good work."
The ABC has contacted the Coalition campaign for comment.
Last month, Liberal leader Peter Dutton promised to scrap a Labor government plan to host the COP climate summit in partnership with Pacific nations, labelling the idea "madness".
In 2015, Mr Dutton came under fire as immigration minister for a quip he made about rising sea levels in the Pacific.
He has since apologised for the comment, admitting it was in "poor taste".
Mr Dutton was asked about Mr Tkatchenko's comments on the campaign trail.
"I have known Justin for about 20 years, he is doing a great job as Foreign Affairs Minister in PNG. He comes from Melbourne in fact. He is a colourful character. He is very colourful up in PNG," he said.
"He is a friend of our country and we can work very effectively with the government and I've had relationships, friendships with successive prime ministers in PNG and Justin is a good friend of our country and obviously a Melburnian originally and is doing a good job up there."
Treaty to boost ADF numbers
The election comes as Australia and PNG prepare to begin negotiations on a new high-level defence treaty that would see Papua New Guineans serve in the ADF.
Mr Tkatchenko revealed PNG's cabinet had given the green light to begin drafting the pact.
Mr Tkatchenko meeting Mr Albanese in 2024. (Facebook: Justin Tkatchenko)
"The Australian government has indicated they need thousands of Papua New Guineans to join … in all different capacities, not just holding the guns," Mr Tkatchenko said.
He said the treaty could also include pathways for Australian citizens to serve in PNG's military.
The ADF has explored options for recruiting Pacific Islanders, but under current rules they would face stringent entry criteria and must apply for Australian citizenship within 90 days of joining.
PNG's Defence Minister Billy Joseph told the ABC constitutional amendments may be required, but said the impetus to move forward with the plan was strong.
"PNG is the only country that was colonised by Australia and PNG has very strong cultural and historical relationship with Australia,"he said.
"With the geopolitics and the security and environment in the region, it is really important that we build and strengthen our defence ties with people that share the same values and history and future."
Trump's role in the Pacific
It comes at a time of heightened geopolitical competition and uncertainty about the United States' role in the Pacific following Donald Trump's election.
News outlet, Politico, reports the Trump administration is considering axing some US embassies in the Pacific as part of a plan to curtail government spending.
Mr Tkatchenko said he was confident the US embassy in Port Moresby would not be affected, but said smaller diplomatic posts in Vanuatu, Tonga and Solomon Islands could be at risk.
He said a scaling back of US presence in the region would open the door for China to gain influence.
"If the Americans pull out it will lead to those countries who have not got resources like PNG to look elsewhere," Mr Tkatchenko said.
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