Tim Swanston
and Prianka Srinivasan
The United States military has been given “unimpeded access” to key PNG defence facilities, including the joint PNG-Australia Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island, as part of a sweeping Defence Cooperation Agreement.
Key points:
- The agreement grants access for “mutually agreed activities” to PNG defence facilities
- It also grants US authorities the “exclusive right to exercise criminal jurisdiction over US personnel”
- In parliament, PNG’s former prime minister raised concerns about the outcomes of the agreement
The 15-year agreement has been made public for the first time since it was signed last month after it was tabled in PNG’s parliament.
Replacing a Status of Forces Agreement between PNG and the US, the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) is intended to improve military cooperation between the two nations – but it’s generated a considerable amount of criticism domestically.
The agreement grants “unimpeded access” for “mutually agreed activities” to facilities including the Lombrum Naval base, the Port Moresby Seaport, as well as airports in Port Moresby, Lae and Momote.