$600m for PNG to join NRL

[manly al]

Looks like a combination of some valid [ well to what ever degree ] N R L expansion intentions and opportunities and some unavoidable and also on whatever interpretation , Geo political matters .
Not sure of the latest indications of Chinese interest in the P N G region , Probably that proposal a couple of years ago or so to build a huge fish farming operation and no doubt also a s a prelude to a coastal navy port on one section of the coast there . .
V" landys seems quite enthusiastic which one would presume is reflective of the general N R L hierarchy though apparently some N R L clubs were a bit wary at one stage .
Previous federal government [ well also eventually supported by the then opposition ] pumped in close to 200 mil and before the very considerable spike in construction costs towards the Cowboys current stadium but that was pretty much for crude political purposes .
Anyway , always thought that any P N G proposal should also include some Fiji involvement or having their best or most promising local League [ or i guess Union as well ] available for any proposed new P N G franchise .
Certainly seems a lot more challenging setting up or establishing a new side based in P N G but looks like inevitable the way things are evolving at the present time at least

 

[BOZO]

Anything that Albo touches turns to sht

 

[Leader of the Flock]

Double Hoops,

As someone who’s lived and worked in PNG for 8+ years, I left in 2022, here’s my thoughts:

A) A PNG team in the NRL will be very well supported and it’s been stated that it will be PNG based,

B) Living in a compound is not that bad with the right attitude but be very wary when you’re “outside the wire”, so not much fun for a large number of people, especially those with families, it severely restricts your freedom in ways that Australian, NZ and Pommie players will, probably, find very frustrating; their families more so, you need to realise that there’s large portions of the population who are desperately poor and that they’ll be seen as a walking wallet and very rich(compared to the vast majority you are) and they’ll attract criminal attention,

C) Watch the money go missing, very quickly this will attract all the “important” people who think than they are entitled to skim off the funds. A$60 mill p.a. will be eaten up very, very quickly and IMHO, there will be nothing of substance to show for it. As an aviation type, there was a very well funded Oz government project to increase the coverage and availability of landing and approach procedures, via GPS, the total amount was A$500 mill(IIRC) and was supposed to be for 30+ airports. As soon as the money was given, the PNG government agencies(Public Service monopolies) concerned with aviation services(think Air Traffic Control), started advertising heavily on the local TV(free to air and subscription services) during NRL games. There were rumours of corporate boxes for the honchos at games; I can’t confirm that though. The number of airports that received the new approaches was well less than 30(less than 10, IIRC) and they really weren’t that good. Lots of Ozzie tax payer money pissed up against the wall for not a great improvement in safety,

D) This is really a hearts and minds political push to avert Chinese influence to our North, IMHO it has very little to do with expanding the game. Also, good luck stopping the Chinese influence, as it’s every where up there and it’s not going to stop.

E) As an Ozzie taxpayer, this is a total waste of money on a fantasy of Albo’s and it shouldn’t be allowed to happen, but it probably will, and I predict that the PNG team will need constant financial support from the Australian taxpayer.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Chunkytuna]

Double Hoops,

As someone who’s lived and worked in PNG for 8+ years, I left in 2022, here’s my thoughts:

A) A PNG team in the NRL will be very well supported and it’s been stated that it will be PNG based,

B) Living in a compound is not that bad with the right attitude but be very wary when you’re “outside the wire”, so not much fun for a large number of people, especially those with families, it severely restricts your freedom in ways that Australian, NZ and Pommie players will, probably, find very frustrating; their families more so, you need to realise that there’s large portions of the population who are desperately poor and that they’ll be seen as a walking wallet and very rich(compared to the vast majority you are) and they’ll attract criminal attention,

C) Watch the money go missing, very quickly this will attract all the “important” people who think than they are entitled to skim off the funds. A$60 mill p.a. will be eaten up very, very quickly and IMHO, there will be nothing of substance to show for it. As an aviation type, there was a very well funded Oz government project to increase the coverage and availability of landing and approach procedures, via GPS, the total amount was A$500 mill(IIRC) and was supposed to be for 30+ airports. As soon as the money was given, the PNG government agencies(Public Service monopolies) concerned with aviation services(think Air Traffic Control), started advertising heavily on the local TV(free to air and subscription services) during NRL games. There were rumours of corporate boxes for the honchos at games; I can’t confirm that though. The number of airports that received the new approaches was well less than 30(less than 10, IIRC) and they really weren’t that good. Lots of Ozzie tax payer money pissed up against the wall for not a great improvement in safety,

D) This is really a hearts and minds political push to avert Chinese influence to our North, IMHO it has very little to do with expanding the game. Also, good luck stopping the Chinese influence, as it’s every where up there and it’s not going to stop.

E) As an Ozzie taxpayer, this is a total waste of money on a fantasy of Albo’s and it shouldn’t be allowed to happen, but it probably will, and I predict that the PNG team will need constant financial support from the Australian taxpayer.

Just my 2 cents worth.

You make some very interesting points here. I think the corruption and misuse of funds is a massive concern and I would hope that there would be a LOT of oversight when it comes to handing out OUR money - but who knows. Looking at the way the NDIS is rorted even right here in AUS, it's hard to imagine it being policed overly well in PNG. Having said that, I get the need to do something in the geopolitical space. Yes China will continue to exercise as much influence over the area as they can, but we can't just sit here and do nothing about it. And really, we don't have many, if any, other options - certainly military means are out of the question. But I doubt this PNG team will be a success, despite their country's love of the game.

 

[lsz]

Also, toss in Albo spending 450m on 2 plane's to cart him and his hsnger on's around. It never ends with these guys.

You do realise that was Scott Morrison who did that

 

[Chunkytuna]

I think not enough credit is given to the players for keeping the game where it is.Because the people running the game and the media(probably one and the same) are sure doing a fine job of trying to screw it up

I think that's a little harsh on PVL and for that matter, Abdo. I think by any measure those two (particularly PVL) have done a pretty good job innovating and growing the game. From where it sat during covid (and even keeping it going during covid despite the doomsayers prattling on) to where it sits now, they've done a very good job I think.

 

[manly al]

I think that's a little harsh on PVL and for that matter, Abdo. I think by any measure those two (particularly PVL) have done a pretty good job innovating and growing the game. From where it sat during covid (and even keeping it going during covid despite the doomsayers prattling on) to where it sits now, they've done a very good job I think.

Definitely in the financial sense as well and especially after the Covid difficulties .
If the franchise does go ahead , best arrangement probably would be just to incorporate the current P N G - Q R L management grouping and the National side organizing grouping .
Not a bad backdrop with the present P N G Hunter's side apparently running a viable operation but for sure , any future P N G franchise would have to be very carefully monitored and managed.
Still would like to see some Fiji participation in the model however

 

[jbb/james]

I think that's a little harsh on PVL and for that matter, Abdo. I think by any measure those two (particularly PVL) have done a pretty good job innovating and growing the game. From where it sat during covid (and even keeping it going during covid despite the doomsayers prattling on) to where it sits now, they've done a very good job I think.

I must say everyone makes errors and poor decisions. What i would say is since PVL has taken over we still have talent issues at admin level with refs and bunkers but the game feels far less rigged than under previous managements

Maybe its a smokescreen

 

[Eagle 1]

You do realise that was Scott Morrison who did that

Albo could cancel the deal, but he wont. Same with Scomo as well, just no accountability in the way they spend the tax payers hard earned.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

It boils down to national security. The last thing we need are the Chinese setting themselves up on our doorstep in PNG.

That line of thought seems to be lost on many forum members.

On several fronts, the Chinese are already on the ground there and throwing their weight around.

 

[Scorpio]

No way this 'deal is done'. Surely!
What a cynical move, if it is. Give PNG the 600mil to dig out the 1000s squashed in landslides, or buy basic medical services for maternity cases in rural areas, by all means.

Australia is providing $637.4 million in foreign development programs to PNG in 2024-25 alone, and provides disaster relief on top of that.

Australia’s Partnership with Papua New Guinea

A stable, prosperous, peaceful and resilient PNG is critical to Australia's interests. We are PNG's largest development partner and its main partner on economic and security issues.

www.dfat.gov.au

Research

Research

www.aph.gov.au

But to spend all that pushing macho NRL culture in that troubled land, presumably to counter the alleged China influence? No, our govt is bad but I can't believe our govt could be that bad. Story must be a beat-up.

I'm not sure if the deal is done or not, but why would that be a surprise if it is? This has been considered for years.

Obviously it's an exercise in diplomacy and soft power (as are a lot of foreign development programs to some extent), otherwise it would not be considered at all. Whether it works for that purpose and in a football/logistics sense is yet to be seen.

For what it is worth, here is a former diplomat's opinion:

Footy diplomacy v China’s Pacific expansion: why Australia must back PNG’s bid for an NRL team

Australia may not be able to match China’s influence through infrastructure investment or granting loans, but we can build deep bonds with PNG through its shared passion for a game: rugby league.

www.smh.com.au

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Also, toss in Albo spending 450m on 2 plane's to cart him and his hsnger on's around. It never ends with these guys.

You do realise that the RAAF, and for a time the Navy, have operated VIP aircraft?

You do understand that threats against Prime Ministers, senior government ministers, et al, are a fact of life in modern day Australia?

You would prefer to expose them to greater risks when travelling overseas on commercial flights?

 

[Eagle 1]

You do realise that the RAAF, and for a time the Navy, have operated VIP aircraft?

You do understand that threats against Prime Ministers, senior government ministers, et al, are a fact of life in modern day Australia?

You would prefer to expose them to greater risks when travelling overseas on commercial flights?

Well, you've just answered your own question TZ, just fly RAAF and Navy aircraft for greater security when going overseas...simples.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Well, you've just answered your own question TZ, just fly RAAF and Navy aircraft for greater security when going overseas...simples.

The two aircraft you apparently referred to will be Air Force aircraft, replacing earlier 737s delivered over two decades ago.

So you must agree then that your original post was a nugatory one?

The Navy aircraft I referred to were primarily intended for other roles. However they could ferry personnel around and did provide assistance during the 1989 airline pilots’ strike.

 

[Eagle 1]

The two aircraft you apparently referred to will be Air Force aircraft, replacing earlier 737s delivered over two decades ago.

So you must agree then that your original post was a nugatory one?

The Navy aircraft I referred to were primarily intended for other roles. However they could ferry personnel around and did provide assistance during the 1989 airline pilots’ strike.

The two aircraft you apparently referred to will be Air Force aircraft, replacing earlier 737s delivered over two decades ago.

So you must agree then that your original post was a nugatory one?

The Navy aircraft I referred to were primarily intended for other roles. However they could ferry personnel around and did provide assistance during the 1989 airline pilots’ strike.

Hardly Airforce aircraft.
How about 2 business class luxury Boing 737's. Again, why not just travel in a fit for purpose RAAF plane and save us the big expense.

 

[The '47ers]

That line of thought seems to be lost on many forum members.

On several fronts, the Chinese are already on the ground there and throwing their weight around.

I reckon, their even already on the ground here throwing their weight around.

 

[Cameron]

I have no idea if it makes sense financially, logistically or from a political stand point but I do love the idea of a PNG team

Gday @lsz hope your well mate.

I'll be honest i hate it for the following reasons
1) who will want to play for them from Aus and NZ
2) WA makes more sense makes because it makes the comp more national and not just an east coast presence and WA's time zone gives us a whole new time slot. We could super dooper saturday with 3pm, 5:30pm, 730pm and 9:30pm (730 WST)
3) its not pandemic proof look at the dramas coursed and the sacrifices the Warriors had to make during covid it was near impossible but doable with the Wah with a second international club it would add another level of complexity
4) I love RL but 600mil spent on a foreign club when we have a housing and cost of living crisis is disgusting. This whole notion its to prevent the chinese buying out PNG is horse poo. The CCP have way more money at their disposal than our 600mil.


for me it should be

18 Perth (Anything but the dirty bears)
19 Western Corridor Jets (based in ipswich with home colours of Green and white and an alternate jersey for sydney away games of royal blue) Another nice bit of synergy is the late great Tommy played for both clubs and coached ipswich.
20 Christchurch, the plan the warriors and the NRL have put together to go up against Rugby Yawnion in NZ is a winner imo.

That would be a more balanced comp
with a footprint in 3 states and one territories, north and south island of NZ and South East Qld covered from the south with the Titans, Central and east with Broncos, North with redcliffe and west to toowoomba with the Jets.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Hardly Airforce aircraft.
How about 2 business class luxury Boing 737's. Again, why not just travel in a fit for purpose RAAF plane and save us the big expense.

It takes different types of aircraft to make up the Air Force. Let alone an airforce.

They are business jets. Fit for purpose.

 

[Eagle 1]

It takes different types of aircraft to make up the Air Force. Let alone an airforce.

They are business jets. Fit for purpose.

Hard to imagine the RAAF sending up luxury buisness class aircraft to engage the enemy tho. Just sayin'..

 

[tookey]

It won't deter China

The money would have been better spent buying a couple of dozen nukes with a range of Beijing and Shanghia

The only way to stop China