Observers say Papua New Guinea's decades-long history of rugby league success and passion is on its side as it prepares for the next sporting leap into the NRL.

Anthony Albanese was meant to emerge from his recent flurry of Pacific diplomacy holding no fewer than two major agreements — instead he's returning home conspicuously empty-handed.

PNG Foreign Minister says he has no idea whether a defence treaty with Australia would be signed.

A major defence treaty between Australia and Papua New Guinea has failed to get over the line today, with the countries resorting to signing a communique in lieu of the actual document. 

On the foreshore of Papua New Guinea's capital city, Ela Beach is where locals come to exercise, mingle and unwind at the end of a long day. But it wasn't always this way.

Trainees in Papua New Guinea will learn to remove unexploded ordnance, as fading memories of World War II expose more people to the conflict's dangerous legacy. 

Australia and Papua New Guinea will be legally obliged to defend each other from a military attack on either territory under a landmark defence treaty, the ABC can reveal.

Australia and Papua New Guinea will be legally obliged to defend each other from a military attack on either territory under a landmark defence treaty, the ABC can reveal.

Australia is set to «totally integrate» its military with Papua New Guinea's forces, PNG's defence minister has said, as the two countries prepare to sign a landmark treaty.

Australia is set to «totally integrate» its military with Papua New Guinea's forces, PNG's defence minister has said, as the two countries prepare to sign a landmark treaty.

Thousands of people from Queensland's Papua New Guinean community celebrate half a century of the country's independence with traditional music, dancing, art, and food.

The government is still racing to expand ties with Pacific nations — particularly the current governments in Fiji and Papua New Guinea — despite a diplomatic setback with Vanuatu.

The government is still racing to expand ties with Pacific nations — particularly the current governments in Fiji and Papua New Guinea — despite a diplomatic setback with Vanuatu.

Pacific Islanders supporting PALM workers say they have had to go to great lengths — including flying to their home countries — to chase money owed to them.

Pacific Islanders supporting PALM workers say they have had to go to great lengths — including flying to their home countries — to chase money owed to them.

Anthony Albanese begins a long Pacific tour this week ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Solomon Islands, as the battle for influence between China and Australia continues to create headlines.

Anthony Albanese begins a long Pacific tour this week ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Solomon Islands, as the battle for influence between China and Australia continues to create headlines.

The final resting place of more than 30,000 Australian soldiers from World War I and II is unknown. With DNA breakthroughs, more families are trying to find their ancestors' graves.

United Nations chief António Guterres has refused to respond to comments telling him to «cut the crap» after a national newspaper criticised him for not calling out corruption in Papua New Guinea.

The UN Secretary General walked out of a media conference in Papua New Guinea as a journalist asked him to comment on a newspaper article which called on him to call out corruption in the country.

Papua New Guinea's state-owned electricity company is trading while insolvent, with insiders describing the situation as «hopeless» and «untenable».

Papua New Guinea's state-owned electricity company is trading while insolvent, with insiders describing the situation as «hopeless» and «untenable».

Papua New Guinea's NRL franchise has no team name, no coach, no roster, and now also has no chief executive as Andrew Hill leaves to join Panthers Group.

The Pacific's leaders are grappling with Solomon Islands' contentious decision to block all outsiders from the region's most important annual meeting next month. So what does the episode say about how strategic competition is reshaping the region?

The SA government says it has received a complaint about emails sent by former Liberal leader David Speirs promoting a fundraiser for a charity hike, but Mr Speirs has denied that he has misused private information.

Australian taxpayers have spent around half a billion dollars to fund the expansion of Papua New Guinea's Lombrum naval base — well over double the $175 million price tag originally flagged by the federal government.

Australian taxpayers have spent around half a billion dollars to fund the expansion of Papua New Guinea's Lombrum naval base — well over double the $175 million price tag originally flagged by the federal government.

A young woman is attacked by a mob of men while she walks through Papua New Guinea University of Technology in the city of Lae.

A video showing a young woman being jeered at and assaulted by a large group of men as she walks across a university campus in Papua New Guinea is condemned by the university's vice-chancellor and women's rights activists.

A video showing a young woman being jeered at and assaulted by a large group of men as she walks across a university campus in Papua New Guinea is condemned by the university's vice-chancellor and women's rights activists.

Witness footage shows a young woman being followed and harassed by a mob of men on an university campus in Papua New Guinea.

Australia's Pacific neighbour Nauru has sold its first passports as part of a program raising funds for the relocation of residents affected by rising sea levels. 

South America and countries in the Pacific downgrade their tsunami warnings but coastal communities are urged to stay alert following a massive Russian earthquake.

South America and countries in the Pacific downgrade their tsunami warnings but coastal communities are urged to stay alert following a massive Russian earthquake.

Parts of South America have upgraded their tsunami threat warnings, while French Polynesia also braces for significant waves as other countries reduce their advice.