Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape made history by becoming the first Pacific leader to address Australia’s Parliament. The two nations announced a security pact, with Australia committing AUD 100 million to Papua New Guinea’s internal security, focusing on a police training facility and barracks. The security pact aims to address challenges in Papua New Guinea, such as tribal violence and civil unrest. The move comes amid growing concerns about China’s influence in the Pacific region, with Papua New Guinea rejecting overtures from China and emphasizing its commitment to the existing security architecture in the region.