Papua New Guinea’s prime minister says his country’s bid to join the NRL doesn’t hinge upon a security pact, despite Australian government sources saying negotiations would see China blocked from gaining a military foothold in PNG.
PNG’s entry into the NRL is expected to be announced in Sydney late next week, with Australia injecting $600 million to support the Port Moresby-based team.
Before flying to Sydney this afternoon, Prime Minister James Marape said there was no “deep” security element to the NRL bid.
“There’s no condition ‘you do this, and we will give you the team’. The NRL team process comes from the NRL itself and not from the Australian government,” he said.
Australian government sources have said the deal is linked to a security arrangement that would stop Beijing from gaining a significant police or military presence in PNG.
The ABC understands Beijing has been trying to clinch an agreement with PNG that would allow police or defence troops to be based in the country.
Mr Marape had previously indicated to the ABC that there was a security element to the NRL deal, but said it was not the main feature.
When asked about it this afternoon, he said the NRL bid was just about sport.
“The rugby league team comes on its own, and we look forward to pushing that thing through,” he said.
“This agreement, or this game, rather, this team, is not all about our security relationship with Australia.”
PNG’s Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso added that the two countries already had an arrangement that governs security matters — the Bilateral Security Agreement, which was signed in 2023.
PNG Prime Minister James Marape and Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso have departed for Sydney. (Supplied)
He indicated that no new deals had been made under that agreement in the past six months.
The ABC has contacted the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment.
A senior delegation of Papua New Guinean ministers departed for Australia this afternoon, ahead of an investment conference in Sydney next week.
Mr Marape said he would return to Port Moresby on Wednesday, subject to negotiations between PNG and the National Rugby League Commission.
He said the final requirements were being “ticked off as we speak” and he was hopeful an announcement would be made by Thursday.
As the only country with rugby league as its national sport, Papua New Guinea’s dream of joining the NRL began decades ago — but has gained significant traction in the past two years.
Alongside Australia’s $600 million injection, Papua New Guinea has said it will invest in facilities and accommodation for the team.
Port Moresby-based players and staff will also be granted tax exemptions — which could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars for top-tier players.
“There is no sport that has the greatest potential to unite our country,” Mr Marape said.
“We want to use the team and the presence of the team … to change Port Moresby, at the very earliest, to a modern city that is safe, secure for our players, our spectators and our citizens.”
