Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Australia and Papua New Guinea are close neighbours, and we are even closer friends. Australia's commitment to this relationship is shown through the strength of our Defence Cooperation Program. The Australia Papua New Guinea Defence Cooperation Program is our largest globally, standing at more than $40 million per annum. Under this program, the Australian Defence Force and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force conduct a significant program of activities together. These include exercises and operations, mentoring and training, maritime engagement, capability development, infrastructure development and also more general capacity building. Yesterday, I was greatly honoured to engage with my counterpart from Papua New Guinea, the Hon. Saki Soloma, their Minister for Defence. Minister Soloma and I discussed how we can drive greater defence cooperation together as part of the new comprehensive strategic and economic partnership agreed by both of our prime ministers yesterday.