Kensington, Australia, Oct 8 (The Conversation) After experiencing a brief delay, Australia and Papua New Guinea have officially signed a momentous defence treaty this week. This agreement pledges mutual support, committing both nations to assist each other in the event of an attack. Additionally, the treaty allows for integration whereby up to 10,000 Papua New Guineans may join the Australian Defence Force (ADF), and correspondingly, some Australians may enlist in the PNG Defence Force.
This development marks a significant transformation in the dynamics of the ADF and its partnership with Papua New Guinea, despite being far from unprecedented. Australia has a storied history of collaboration with PNG on defence matters, with Papua New Guineans historically playing a vital role within Australia’s armed forces. This established history could offer valuable insights for their newly expanded cooperation.
A history of collaboration Many Australians may recall the "fuzzy wuzzy angels," a term, now considered derogatory, used to describe the Papua New Guineans who, during the Second World War, were crucial in transporting supplies and aiding wounded Australian soldiers. These individuals were pivotal in the fight against Japan, enduring difficult circumstances and often forced into service.
Approximately 4,000 Papua New Guinean men served as soldiers defending Australia during the war. They engaged in Australia's initial engagements along the Kokoda Track and participated in almost all subsequent battles. In 1951, a new unit was created within the Australian Army in response to escalating Cold War tensions. Known as the Pacific Islands Regiment, it comprised around 3,000 Papua New Guineans and various support units at the time of PNG’s independence in 1975. Consequently, about one in 11 members of the regular Australian Army were Papua New Guinean.
In contrast, around 500 Australians were continually assigned to Australian Army forces in PNG throughout the 1960s and 1970s. They were seamlessly integrated, as Papua New Guineans were Australian citizens prior to PNG’s independence, albeit experiencing systemic discrimination due to race. Thus, these soldiers were fully incorporated into the Australian Army, similar to any Australian brigade.
This comprehensive integration extended to Papua New Guinea’s naval unit on Manus Island, which operated under the Royal Australian Navy. PNG officers were trained in Australia, while PNG sailors gained practical experience aboard Australian vessels. This collaboration was an essential component of Australia’s defence, particularly during high-tension periods with Indonesia in the early 1960s, where PNG soldiers were expected to be the primary defence should conflict have arisen.
Post-independence, the PNG Defence Force was established. While some Australians stayed to guide the newly independent force, PNG retained ownership of its defence policies and initiatives.
Lessons from history With the new agreement signed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and PNG Prime Minister James Marape, both countries seek to rekindle this longstanding cooperation. The treaty fosters recruitment and integration across each other's defence forces, enhancing logistical interoperability and procurement practices.
Crucial lessons from history should be revisited to ensure smooth integration today. Chief among these is fostering mutual understanding between Australian and PNG soldiers. For instance, in 1961, discipline issues arose within the Pacific Islands Regiment due to dissatisfaction over pay and conditions, stirring soldiers to defy orders by marching towards Port Moresby in protest.
Australian Army officials acknowledged contributing to these tensions, including delays in addressing salary concerns and having inadequately trained officers unfamiliar with local languages. Consequently, an education programme was introduced from the 1960s to 1975 for PNG soldiers, covering civic studies and current affairs. Understanding the diverse backgrounds, languages, and cultures of PNG soldiers was deemed essential for cultivating an effective force.
Efforts were made to ensure only proficient Australian officers were posted to PNG, while PNG officers were recruited from 1963 forward to form a leadership cadre. These strategies fostered a disciplined and educated force successfully transitioned to independent PNG in 1975, marking an unsung achievement by the Australian Army.
Applying lessons today Now, more than ever, ensuring that Australian defence personnel appreciate the backgrounds and experiences of PNG soldiers is essential. Education programs highlighting history, culture, and language, combined with collaborative training, will be pivotal for the treaty's success.
The diversity brought by PNG soldiers will complement the ADF by enhancing operational capabilities in the Pacific region's unique geography. Comprehensive recruitment of PNG officers and non-commissioned officers is encouraged to facilitate effective leadership and integration.
It is also vital to reconnect PNG's military history with that of Australia, emphasizing the longstanding contributions made by Papua New Guineans to the collective defence efforts. Though questions remain about integration specifics and implications for PNG's own defence force, it is crucial to remember that Papua New Guineans have been staunch defenders of Australia since 1940. (The Conversation)
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