A major defence treaty between Australia and Papua New Guinea has failed to get over the line today, with the countries resorting to signing a communique in lieu of the actual document.

Mr Marape also declared that he had a responsibility to build up the capabilities of the PNG defence force under the treaty, saying there were compelling reasons to draw much closer to Australia and benefit from its high end military technology.

And he insisted it was Papua New Guinea that had approached Australia asking for the new military alliance, not the other way around.