Pacific diplomacy
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- Bowen Hills
After PNG, Australia’s soft power game with China extends to Solomons
Just like PNG’s NRL team, a new Brisbane-backed Solomon Islands soccer club could become an unlikely arena in Australia’s geopolitical rivalry with China.
- Cameron Atfield
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US, China barred from attending top Pacific political forum
The Solomon Islands prime minister said 21 donor countries wouldn’t be invited to the Pacific Island Forum, a move that follows pressure from China to exclude Taiwan from the meeting.
- Kirsty Needham
‘Forged’ and ‘fake’: PNG sport, business supremo hits out at corruption concerns
The man who led the bid that secured millions from the Australian government to support a new rugby league team has threatened legal action over a controversial letter.
- Chris Barrett and Nick McKenzie
- Updated
- For subscribers
PNG leader demands quick action on corruption concerns linked to Australia
Wapu Sonk has stood down from the PNG NRL team board, but there is scrutiny on the country’s national oil company, which has ties with an Australian energy giant.
- Chris Barrett, Nick McKenzie and Simon Johanson
Four in five Tuvaluans apply to move to Australia. Frayzel is among them
More than 8000 Tuvaluans have applied for 280 permanent residency visas for Australia, while last year 56,000 people from other Pacific countries applied for 3000 places.
- Caitlin Fitzsimmons and Nick O'Malley
- Updated
- PNG
PNG NRL director stands down over corruption concerns
Wapu Sonk, who led the Pacific nation’s bid to join the Australian competition in 2028, has stepped aside amid questions about whether he sought to benefit personally from his power as chief of PNG’s national oil company.
- Chris Barrett, Nick McKenzie and Matthew Knott
- Opinion
- Column 8
Sending it by sea snail mail
When it absolutely, positively has to be there within the decade.
Crisafulli’s bid to bring Trump – and the Quad – to Queensland
Premier David Crisafulli has made an audacious bid to get US President Donald Trump to Queensland as he pushes the state’s claims to host the Quad leaders’ summit.
- Cameron Atfield
‘Nail in the coffin’: Pacific rugby leaders raise alarm about NRL’s PNG deal
Officials in the region are concerned about the Albanese government’s bankrolling of rugby league and are proposing a greater share in funding for their national game.
- Chris Barrett
Paul Keating accuses Marles of ‘careless betrayal’ over China
The Labor elder accused the defence minister and the government of “intellectually ceding Australia to the United States” as a platform for conflict with China.
- Nick Bonyhady