Details have surfaced regarding an Australian government initiative to support the establishment of an NRL rugby league club in Papua New Guinea. Canberra is proposing AU$600 million spread over a decade for the potential club, contingent upon the PNG government refraining from signing a security agreement with China.
The Australian government considers this offer a demonstration of “soft power,” aiming to take advantage of the deep-rooted passion for rugby league in PNG. However, the effectiveness of this plan raises questions.
Gordon Peake, a researcher associated with the US Institute of Peace and someone familiar with PNG, shared his insights on the matter. He expressed surprise at the Australian government’s interest in rugby league, noting that it has long been a part of PNG’s cultural identity. He acknowledged Australia’s ongoing support to help PNG enter the NRL, framing it as a generous but costly move by Australia.
Yet, Peake emphasized that the support comes with an underlying political condition, which is disconnecting the rugby league initiative from discussions about broader geopolitical tensions in the Pacific. The expectation that PNG refrain from a defense agreement with China complicates what was initially seen as a straightforward sports initiative.
Peake assessed the likelihood of the scheme’s success as challenging, citing the duality of sports diplomacy and political maneuvers. He posed a scenario where PNG might choose to engage with China, questioning the implications for the rugby league initiative.
Negative fallout could arise if the plan falters, especially given the enthusiasm it has generated among rugby league fans in PNG. Interviews conducted with PNG citizens indicated a strong affection for the sport, alongside a mix of skepticism regarding the funds allocated to the rugby league proposal, suggesting that urgent needs in healthcare and education might be prioritized.
Furthermore, both Australia and PNG would be conscious of the potential embarrassment if the initiative fails, given the diplomatic engagements surrounding sporting events. Comparisons with other soft power strategies in the Pacific were made, with Peake indicating that Australia’s proposal is on a larger scale compared to typical diplomatic efforts.
As for China’s perspective, Peake suggested that while Australia invests in sports diplomacy, China might see more cost-effective methods of soft power, such as scholarships, as it sends many Pacific Islanders to study in China.