Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Jack Snape

Papua New Guinea to join NRL under historic deal with a China ‘escape clause’

Australia’s prime minister Anthony Albanese, PNG’s prime minister James Marape and ARLC chair Peter V'landys
Australia’s prime minister Anthony Albanese and PNG’s prime minister James Marape have announced a $600m deal that will see a team enter the NRL in 2028. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Australia will be able to withdraw $600m in funding for a PNG rugby league team at any time and without cause under a 10-year deal struck to financially back the expansion side that will enter the NRL in 2028.

The Australian government will not release terms of the deal between the two countries, which sits alongside the bilateral security agreement that comes into force on Thursday, but officials have described the arrangement as based on shared strategic trust.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.