Shadow Ministers Call for Transparency on $600 Million PNG League Deal

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (R) reacts as Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape speaks during a press conference in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 12, 2024. DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images

The Coalition is asking for a detailed plan on the allocation of the $600 million (US$385 million) pledged by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to support Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) 2028 entry into the NRL.

“The $600 million investment is significant and a detailed breakdown from the government on how these funds will be allocated is essential to build confidence in both Australia and PNG,” said Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Simon Birmingham.

On Dec. 12, Albanese and his PNG counterpart, James Marape, officially made the long-awaited announcement.

Birmingham extended support to the overall deal, saying the Coalition has long held the view that sport can be a powerful tool for fostering deeper connections between nations.

Shadow minister for sport, Anne Ruston, echoed these sentiments, saying rugby league, in particular, holds significant cultural importance in PNG, and their inclusion in the NRL will go a long way in strengthening ties between the two countries.

“However, Australians deserve further transparency on the costs and details associated with this taxpayer-funded commitment,” she added.

Shadow minister for international development and the Pacific, Michael McCormack, announced the Coalition’s offer of bipartisan support for responsible and transparent initiatives that enhance Australia’s relationship with its Pacific family.

Strengthening Ties and Security

Australia’s financial support comes as part of a broader strategy to bolster PNG’s relationship with Australia—rugby league is the national sport of PNG, and the NRL is the biggest professional league.

The move serves to create a bulwark against Beijing establishing a military or police presence in the Pacific nation, which lies a few hundred kilometres north of Australia.

Albanese stressed that the initiative aims to foster grassroots development, economic growth, and regional unity. It complements existing health and education programs and will involve PNG, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa.

“For us, it’s not just sport and sport commerce, and it is deeply national unity strategy, in the face of our 50th independence anniversary next year, uniting the most diverse nation on the face of planet Earth,” said Marape.

The deal also has an unpublished second agreement, cited by AAP, that keeps Australia as the primary security partner of PNG, meaning if the Pacific government chooses Beijing over Australia, the deal can be effectively called off.

Addressing Safety Concerns

A key concern for the NRL expansion is player safety.  Port Moresby, where the team will be based, has the 12th highest murder rate in the world among cities at 54 murders among 100,000 people; it is also often consumed by civil strife.

Marape has assured potential players and officials that their safety is a top priority.

“Security is all part of the mix. This is not just an event, but a lifestyle transformation for PNG. We saw the positive impact of APEC 2018 on Port Moresby, and we aim to replicate that with the NRL. Port Moresby will be a safer and cleaner city, capable of hosting international events.

“I can bet my life on it. It’s in my own national interest to make sure PNG is safer,” he said.