Papua New Guinea has officially signed off on a security treaty with Australia that paves the pathway for its citizens to serve in the defence force.

The PukPuk treaty, named after the local word for crocodile, includes a mutual defence pact that commits either nation to helping the other in the event of an armed attack.

The pact was set to be signed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his counterpart, James Marape, during the celebrations to mark PNG's 50 years of independence in Port Moresby in mid-September.

However, it fell apart at the last moment when it failed to obtain the approval of the PNG government's cabinet, as ministers were away in their electorates during celebrations.

The hurdle was cleared on Wednesday, paving the way for it to be formally sealed within a week,

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