The treaty would create an "alliance" between the two countries. (ABC News: Lincoln Rothall) Photo: ABC News / Lincoln Rothall
Australia and Papua New Guinea are expected to sign an historic security pact today which would integrate their defence forces.
However, a former military chief in PNG claims the country is a "pawn" in the pivotal Pukpuk treaty, which was approved on Thursday with Australia.
Major-General Jerry Singirok told Pacific Waves PNG is caught up in a geopolitical battle between the United States and China, with little benefit to Papua New Guineans.
Under the treaty, Australia and PNG are obliged to come to each other's aid in the event of a military attack.
Prime Minister James Marape says the mutual pact will significantly boost its defence and security partnership with Australia.
It will also mean up to 10,000 Papua New Guineans could serve with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) under dual arrangements
The treaty was endorsed by the PNG cabinet and still requires ratification from both nations' parliaments.
However, Major-General Singirok says it goes against PNG's foreign policy of friends to all enemy to none.
"The biggest concern who is the enemy, do we have a combined or a common enemy. I say no. China is not our enemy, China is our trading partner and we should be very very careful, he said.
He believes Australia is acting on behalf of the US.
"It's a very very cunning approach to use Australia as a proxy to the USA, which has global interests in relation to a threat from the north, that being China."
Major-General Singirok (file image). Photo: AFP
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the two nations are close friends and the treaty will elevate this to a formal alliance.
However, Singirok said Australia will benefit far more than Papua New Guiunea.
"You don't need to be a rocket scientist to know what the treaty is all about," he said.
"It's all about seeking alliance with the smaller Pacific nations, PNG offers a strategic geographical location, its a mid point between Australia and the seventh fleet in Hawaii."
There had been no public consultation and there were many unanswered questions for Papua New Guineans.
"Only Canberra and Washington know what's happening and I think in the absence of a good analysis and debate the PNG government will become gullible."
"These are signs and symptoms of a state's fragility," he said.
Prime Minister James Marape says the mutual pact will significantly boost its defence and security partnership with Australia. Photo: Supplied / Department of Defence/CPL Jack Pearce
RNZ Pacific's PNG correspondent Scott Waide said the idea of integrating the two defence forces is a contentious issue among commentators there.
"The integrity and the independence of the PNG defence force has to be maintained," Waide said.
"To have the PNG defence force integrated into the Australian defence force doesn't look good for Papua New Guinean sovereignty and integrity."
Waide added that the treaty has wider implications for PNG.
"In diplomatic circles China has always been a partner, a friend and this agreement creates new enemies for PNG," he said.
Some military commanders believed the treaty would create a constitutional crisis and could be challenged in court.
Waide said they believed wider consultation was needed between all the parties and stakeholders involved in national security.
"It feels like a unilateral decision by the National Executive Council (NEC or cabinet) in serving Australia's interests. That's how many people are putting it," he said.
The accord is expected to be front and centre of debate at next month's parliamentary session in Port Moresby.
