The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing for its inquiry into the Papua New Guinea – Australia Mutual Defence Treaty (the Pukpuk Treaty) at 11.00am on 23 March 2026.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 19 March 2026

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing for its inquiry into the Papua New Guinea – Australia Mutual Defence Treaty (the Pukpuk Treaty) at 11.00am on 23 March 2026. The Treaty aims to expand and modernise Australia and Papua New Guinea’s security and defence ties through creating mutual defence and consultation obligations, allowing for the conduct of Defence Cooperation Activities in each other’s territory, and providing frameworks to govern visiting forces. The Committee will examine how the Treaty will impact the security, defence and domestic circumstances of both countries. Committee Chair, Ms Lisa Chesters MP, said, ‘Australia and Papua New Guinea share deep historical and cultural ties, and also a strong defence partnership. As our closest neighbour, Australia’s relationship with Papua New Guinea is one of our most important.’ ‘The Committee is interested in whether the Treaty contributes to Australia’s national interests and security, including how the Treaty could enhance our role as a trusted partner of the Pacific.’ The Committee will hear evidence from the Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the public hearing. Public hearing details Date: Monday, 23 March 2026 Time: 11.00am - 1.00pm AEDT (approximately) Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House Canberra The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Ms Lisa Chesters MP, Chair   Korey Fernando, Diary Manager  korey.fernando@aph.gov.au   (03) 5443 9055   For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.