Papua New Guinea is the country that loves rugby league the most, but an NRL team based there will have to face all the perils of any expansion club, plus another unique set of challenges no other side would have to imagine solving. 

The asylum seekers were sent to PNG more than a decade ago under an offshore processing deal with Australia, which has since ended.

The «soft power» aspect to this sports diplomacy initiative has never been a secret. But in the game of regional politics, Australia went in for the hard tackle.

While the Pacific Policing Initiative has won wide backing from Pacific leaders and police chiefs, it has also generated some cynicism in the region.

PNG's entry into the NRL is expected to be announced in Sydney late next week, with Australia injecting $600 million to support the Port Moresby-based team.

Jason Demetriou lauds PNG's imminent entry into the NRL but remains coy on his aspirations to coach the league's forthcoming franchise.

Papua New Guinea's largest agro-forestry project has been linked to a massive land-grab scandal more than a decade ago.

Papua New Guinea's largest agro-forestry project has been linked to a massive land-grab scandal more than a decade ago.

An ABC investigation has linked the Australian businessmen behind Papua New Guinea's largest agroforestry project to key figures in a massive Indigenous land grab scandal in the country's Western Province more than a decade ago.

An ABC investigation has linked the Australian businessmen behind Papua New Guinea's largest agroforestry project to key figures in a massive Indigenous land grab scandal in the country's Western Province more than a decade ago.

Seven years after purportedly fleeing death threats in Papua New Guinea, an aged care worker and her husband have become vital and valued members of their rural community.

Tributes flow for croc hunter George Craig, who helped put Far North Queensland on the tourism map and led a remarkable life of adventure.

Tributes flow for croc hunter George Craig, who helped put Far North Queensland on the tourism map and led a remarkable life of adventure.

The understood hierarchy in international men's rugby league has been shattered by the rising Pasifika teams, but there are concerns from across the ditch that the scales are tipping too far.

Xavier Coates has admitted it has been «tough» to deal with PNG fans calling him a traitor for choosing to represent Australia, but he has received an unlikely ally.

Papua New Guinea might lack the stars of Tonga and Samoa but their own rise in Test football is no less impressive as they prepare for the game of a lifetime against New Zealand.

The Bank of China is on the brink of establishing a branch in Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby, a move that is being watched closely by the Australian government.

The Bank of China is on the brink of establishing a branch in Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby, a move that is being watched closely by the Australian government.

A growing group of shop owners is catering to increasing demand for Pasifika goods in Australia, connecting members of the Pacific diaspora to their homes. 

A growing group of shop owners is catering to increasing demand for Pasifika goods in Australia, connecting members of the Pacific diaspora to their homes. 

Residents of Papua New Guinea's Porgera region say they're fearful a «new brand of tribal warfare» has started after gunmen stormed a passenger bus, killing at least six people.

Saibai Islanders say they have been left to «fend for themselves» as confrontations over illegal fishing expose flaws in border security, putting their livelihoods and safety at risk.

Australia's men's side takes down Tonga 18-0 after Jillaroos winger Julia Robinson scores a record six tries as Australia runs 17 past Papua New Guinea to kick off the Pacific Championships.

Jillaroos wingers Julia Robinson and Jakiya Whitfeld get first-half hat-tricks as Australia takes on Papua New Guinea to kick off the Pacific Championships. Later, the Kangaroos take on Tonga. Follow live.

The prime minister has refused to say what security guarantees Australia wants from Papua New Guinea in return for backing the Pacific country's bid for an NRL team.

Australia is closing in on a multi-million dollar deal that would see Papua New Guinea join the NRL.

A potential deal that would see Australia provide $600 million to help set up an NRL side in Port Moresby includes an assurance no security deal with China is signed by the Pacific nation, the ABC can reveal.

Landowners are calling on mining giant Rio Tinto to respond to accusations of human rights abuses at its decommissioned Panguna mine in Bougainville, 35 years after its closure.

Australia comes away with victories in both the women's and men's Prime Minister's XIII matches against their PNG counterparts in Port Moresby.

A large-scale study of social and environmental impacts from Rio Tinto's abandoned Panguna mine in Bougainville finds a plethora of actual and potential human rights violations, including risks to life.

As Indonesia prepares to inaugurate former military general Prabowo Subianto as president, some fear the situation in West Papua could deteriorate even further. Others still hope for a better future.

Rugby league is one of Australia's most celebrated cultural exports, but experts fear its ties to gambling are having an insidious effect on Pacific communities. 

The NRL is growing in popularity in Papua New Guinea, however with little regulatory oversight, there are fears an expanding betting culture could hurt the countries most vulnerable citizens.

Rugby league is one of Australia's most celebrated cultural exports, but experts fear its ties to gambling are having an insidious effect on Pacific communities. 

A Papua New Guinean minister deals scathing criticisms of Australia’s aid program valued at more than $600 million this year.