Anthony Albanese insists the delay in signing a defence treaty with PNG has "no downside". Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS

Anthony Albanese's failure to land two major deals with Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu might not be a good look when he visits the United States next week.

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After Labor in opposition accused the former Coalition government of "dropping the ball" in the Pacific, the Albanese government has worked to improve Australia's engagement in the region.

But the two failures to sign off on major agreements with PNG and Vanuatu are not helping.

The prime minister insists the de

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