Anthony Albanese fails to seal defence treaty between Australia and PNG

Australian PM will leave Port Moresby without agreement, sparking a setback for strategy to minimise China’s influence among Pacific nations

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Anthony Albanese’s strategy of pushing back against China in the Pacific has been dealt another blow, with a major defence treaty with Papua New Guinea delayed amid concerns about sovereignty.

A deal was expected with the former Australian colony this week but the prime minister is set to leave Port Moresby without signing the so-called Pukpuk mutual defence treaty with his counterpart, James Marape, on Wednesday.