The Albanese government has publicly acknowledged it is open to funding rugby union in the Pacific after a NSW Liberal senator raised concerns about the large discrepancy in money being allocated to rugby league in the region.
Funding of rugby union in the Pacific became heavily politicised earlier this year after a $600 million government package was announced to support rugby league in the region.
Rugby league is the national sport in
Papua New Guinea, where the bulk of a $600 million funding package will be spent, but rugby union is entrenched in sporting culture across Samoa, Tonga and Fiji. The announcement sent rugby union executives in parts of the Pacific
into negotiations with Chinese government officials.
Charlotte Blundell, an official from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Pacific economic and infrastructure division, told a Senate estimates hearing last week she was aware of a proposal being developed by Fiji, Tonga and Samoa that could lead to extra investment in rugby union.
“Although it’s self-evident that the NRL investment is larger over the next few years, the investment in things like community sports infrastructure is neutral,” Blundell said. “Ovals are in limited supply in these countries and all sports are able to utilise and benefit from some of the investment.”
Sources familiar with the plan but not authorised to speak publicly said the $150 million proposal had received sign-off from the Tongan and Fijian governments. It is pending a sign-off from the Samoan prime minister, Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Fosi Schmidt, who is currently receiving medical treatment in New Zealand.
Elizabeth Peak, head of DFAT’s Pacific office, said development funding was allocated based on the proposals it received.
“We would welcome Fiji, Samoa and Tonga to put in their proposal to us when they are ready to do so,” she said.