Concerns have been reported about the security of 3,500 new rifles gifted by Australia to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) as part of a defence treaty signed last year.
Island Business, a Fiji‑based news and business publication known for investigative reporting on Pacific politics, economics, and social issues since the 1970s, has reported that there are concerns about these firearms getting into the wrong hands.
In an article in late August, they have reported that the Chief of the PNGDF, Rear Admiral Philip Polewara, has issued a warning about PNG’s “inability to secure its armoury and keep its guns and ammunition safe from being used by the civilian population to engage in acts of violence” in the context of this firearm transfer announcement.
There is no suggestion that Australia has acted outside of obligations to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), which is a legally binding international agreement that has a total of 118 States Parties.
The ATT places a number of obligations on an exporting state, Australia in this case, including to assess whether the arms would contribute to or undermine peace and security before authorising a transfer, and taking measures to prevent their diversion.
In its reporting on this matter, Island Business also stated that PNG has a ‘massive problem’ with illegal guns fuelling tribal fights, murders, rapes, armed robberies, vehicle thefts, drug trafficking and other serious crimes.
While the article included comment from the Australian Defence Force that “over many years, Australia has invested in the upgrade and sustainment of PNG Defence Force armouries as part of its Defence Cooperation Program”, it also added that to “the best of our knowledge, neither has there been any public discussion of how the assessment required by the Arms Trade Treaty would be carried out, or by whom.”
History emphatically tells us that the objective of maximising Australia’s security through developing close links with pacific partners is critical. Having said that, it is also vital that the Australian government ensures it’s not blinkered, delayed, or even hypocritical in its approach to firearm safety in different settings.
Keeping firearms out of the wrong hands is fundamental, protects all communities and reinforces the reputation of safe, lawful, responsible shooters.
Based on reporting by Islands Business, 20 August 2026.