Part 9/13:
Schubridge views these initiatives as beneficial to both Australia and PNG. He remarks that closer security cooperation is essential for regional stability and that the partnership reflects shared strategic interests. However, he also notes that the scale of aid—namely, the limited provision of armored vehicles—highlights the potential for deeper military cooperation. Australia could expand its military foothold in the region by building larger infrastructure, such as upgraded naval bases, to support broader regional security efforts.