Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has addressed the concerns regarding the failure to sign a defence pact between Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG), insisting the deal will come despite setbacks.

Albanese travelled to Port Moresby alongside Defence Minister Richard Marles and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy to celebrate PNG’s 50th anniversary of independence.

The Pukpuk Treaty, which was planned to be signed during the meeting, would be Australia’s first new alliance in more than 70 years. Referencing the delay in finalising the pact, Albanese said it was “perfectly understandable” that the PNG government were taking part in the independence celebrations.

“The wording has been agreed to,” Albanese said. “The communique as signed, outlines precisely what is in the treaty. We’re releasing that for everyone to see today, and this is very positive, very positive. There is no downside in this whatsoever.”

The communique released by Albanese’s office stated that the Pukpuk Agreement outlines that if one country is attacked, the other would assist. It also states that an attack on either nation is a threat to both. The pact creates a pathway for PNG citizens to join the Australian Defence Force.

The communique stated, “Our new Alliance will reflect our true commitment to each other and to a region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous.”

The communique states that any third-party agreements cannot interfere with either country’s implementation of the treaty, which would potentially limit China’s ability to expand its influence in the Pacific.

PNG Prime Minister James Marape said that it was his government that proposed the treaty, and Australia agreed to it.

He also dismissed claims that PNG’s proposed NRL team in 2028 had anything to do with the defence treaty.

“I want to distance rugby league from this treaty. Even if there was no rugby league team in 2028, I would have signed this treaty,” Marape said.

Albanese addressed notions that this setback may have been politically embarrassing but assured the media that the communique was a “historic step forward”.

Despite the setback, both Albanese and Marape remain confident the treaty will be completed soon.

“We agree with the agreement, we’re ready to sign off,” Albanese said. “Prime Minister Marape is talking to his Cabinet, who are in different parts of PNG, and we respect that process.”