Australia and Papua New Guinea signed a bilateral security agreement on Thursday, 7 December 2023. Photo: Facebook.com/Anthony Albanese
A Papua New Guinea business leader says the money the Australian government is making available to support a PNG rugby league team playing in the NRL is enough to build three hydro dams.
With the backing of Australia, PNG is hoping they can start playing in the NRL as the 18th team in the competition as early as 2028.
But PNG Hydro Development managing director Allan Guo said the AU$600 million (about $158 billion kina) could help the country meet its energy needs.
"...imagine if the country sets it's priorities right, we can do more," Guo was quoted as saying by The National newspaper.
He said energy is the driver of the economy and it could improve peoples' lives.
He said the recently completed Edevu Hydro Station cost $650 million kina to build.
Earlier this week, Health Minister Lino Tom, who has now defected to the opposition, said the Australian money should be going to hospitals rather a rugby league team.
Meanwhile, PNG parliamentarians will consider a motion of no confidence in Prime Minister James Marape on Thursday next week.
According to the prime minister, the motion filed by the opposition on Wednesday has met all the requirements the Private Business Committee.
Marape said parliament will now adjourn for seven days, meeting again next Thursday to debate the no-confidence motion.
The opposition's candidate to replace Marape is Rainbo Paita, who has told local media that he has a formidable team behind him, while the prime minister has expressed his confidence that he has the numbers to resist a vote.