New information has surfaced regarding the Australian government’s initiative to finance the development of an NRL rugby league club in Papua New Guinea. The Australian capital is prepared to allocate AU$600 million over the next decade for this potential club, but this funding hinges on the PNG government agreeing not to enter into a security deal with China.
The Australian government perceives this offer as a form of “soft power,” leveraging the widespread enthusiasm for rugby league in Papua New Guinea to strengthen bilateral relations. However, the effectiveness of this approach remains uncertain.
Gordon Peake, affiliated with the US Institute of Peace and experienced in PNG affairs, shared his insights. He described the strong affection Papua New Guineans have for rugby league and acknowledged Australia’s ongoing support for PNG’s entry into the NRL over the past few years. He characterized the financial backing as both generous and substantial.
Peake also noted the recent discovery that the Australian support is conditional, tied not just to the rugby league initiative but also to PNG’s stance on a policing defense agreement with China. He described the situation as involving competing priorities—support for the rugby club versus international power dynamics.
When asked if the plan could succeed, Peake expressed skepticism. He highlighted the disconnect between supporting a rugby league initiative and the complexities of international diplomacy, questioning how these elements might coexist. If PNG were to forge a security pact with China, it raises concerns about the future of the rugby club initiative.
Peake pointed out the potential fallout if the plan were to fail, especially given the strong hopes of rugby league fans in PNG. Through his research, he discovered a shared sentiment among the public about the misallocation of funds, with some believing that resources could better serve urgent needs such as health and education.
Both Australia and PNG officials have invested a lot in the project and would be cautious of losing credibility if it were to collapse. The dynamics of sports-related diplomacy have been evident in the interactions between leaders from both nations during key rugby league events.
Peake remarked that while soft power tactics are common in diplomacy, this initiative is uniquely ambitious. However, he couldn’t recall any recent similar initiatives of this scope in the Pacific region.
In discussing China’s perspective, Peake posited that China would likely view Australia’s rugby league offering as a less efficient form of soft power than its own scholarship programs, which enable Pacific Islanders to study in China at a lower cost than establishing a rugby league team.