For instance, Australia has delivered more than AU$2.5 billion, on top of the estimated $AU2 billion in aid, directly into PNG’s perpetually ailing budget over the last four years alone. These funds come with minimum or no standards of transparency or accountability, apparently to ensure the government of the day doesn’t stray towards Beijing.

Australia is closing in on a multi-million-dollar deal that would see Papua New Guinea join the NRL. And the ABC can reveal a major security agreement is at the heart of the negotiations.

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.