Australia invests £300 million in rugby league team to strengthen ties with Papua New Guinea

Australia has announced a £300 million investment to create a new rugby league team in Papua New Guinea, aiming to strengthen ties and reduce Chinese influence in the region. The team will join Australia’s National Rugby League in 2028. The agreement includes a requirement for Papua New Guinea to prioritize Australia as its main security partner, avoiding security ties with countries outside the Pacific. This marks a strategic shift in Australia’s approach to diplomacy in the Pacific. Australia is already the largest aid donor to Papua New Guinea, contributing A$637 million this year. The new deal is seen as a way to enhance cooperation in various sectors while leveraging the popularity of rugby in Papua New Guinea.