QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler—Prime Minister) (14:15): I thank the member for Leichhardt for his question. He represents an electorate from which you can swim to Papua New Guinea, from Saibai Island. That is how close we are.

Last year, when Prime Minister Marape and I walked the Kokoda Track for Anzac Day, we reflected on our nations' shared bond. At the 50th anniversary of PNG independence last month, we reflected on our shared history. And yesterday, at the signing of the Pukpuk treaty, we reflected on our shared future.

Our bond, our history and our future—that is what this treaty is about: an alliance between two equal partners, between two old friends, furthering the interests of our nations and of our peoples and finding our security in the Pacific from within the Pacific family, and, for Australia, family means Papua New Guinea. This is indeed a historic moment. The Pukpuk treaty is only our third alliance, and it's our first in over seven decades.

Our nearest neighbour is now our newest ally. It is an alliance born of respect, an alliance to meet common dangers, to act in our mutual interests and to safeguard each other's sovereignty—two houses with one fence, as Prime Minister Marape has said. We are two neighbours, partners, mates and now allies.

I cannot comprehend the possibility of anything as significant as this for the defence of Australia as well as the sovereignty and defence of Papua New Guinea. Just over 50 years ago, PNG, during our darkest hour—during World War II and through that period—was considered to be part of Australian territory. This alliance ups this relationship to a new level following the request of Papua New Guinea, through Prime Minister Marape, and accepted by my government, and I am sure it will be welcomed by both of our peoples.