Programs & Projects

The Aus-PNG Network

The Aus-PNG Network

The Australia-PNG Network builds links and understanding between two countries that share close ties in history and geography. We work to strengthen connections across the broadest range of areas, including business, sport, education, civil society, arts and culture, religion, media and development.

The Network evolved from the first joint dialogue between emerging leaders from the two nations which was hosted by the Lowy Institute in 2013. The success of the event was embraced by the Australia-PNG Ministerial Council which supported the Emerging Leaders Dialogue to become an annual event held in December each year. This is supported by a range of issue-focused workshops and regular networking events that promote a strong relationship between both countries. The Network regularly publishes the outcomes of these gatherings as a shared online resource.

Learn more on the Aus-PNG Network website.

Experts
Latest publications
News and media
Harnessing Papua New Guinea’s rugby league obsession
Harnessing Papua New Guinea’s rugby league obsession
You don't have to spend much time in Papua New Guinea to realise that the country is obsessed with rugby league. The atmosphere in Port Moresby on a State of Origin night could…
Pacific links: Trade deals, French elections, malaria in PNG and more
Pacific links: Trade deals, French elections, malaria in PNG and more
After eight years, negotiations for PACER Plus have concluded with Fiji and PNG dropping out of the trade agreement. Voters in the French Pacific have flouted mainland voting…
Workshop outcomes document: The potential for rugby league to connect Australia and Papua New Guinea
Reports
Workshop outcomes document: The potential for rugby league to connect Australia and Papua New Guinea
This report summarises the outcomes of the workshop on The potential for rugby league to connect Australia and Papua New Guinea. Harriet Smith , Anna Kirk , Joanna…
Developing PNG’s cybercrime policy: Local contexts, global best practice
Developing PNG’s cybercrime policy: Local contexts, global best practice
With Papua New Guinea's national elections just over three months away, attention has turned to the government's legislative record. Last August the Papua New Guinean government…
Pacific links: Climate change, China in PNG, Fiji self-censors and more
Pacific links: Climate change, China in PNG, Fiji self-censors and more
By Harriet Smith, an intern with the Lowy Institute's Melanesia Program. New research has shown that droughts and flooding rains in the Pacific are likely to increase as a result…
Pacific Island links: 2017 predictions, PNG uni places, internet cables and more
Pacific Island links: 2017 predictions, PNG uni places, internet cables and more
Tess Newton Cain has outlined her 2017 predictions for the Pacific region, a busy year that will bring elections in Papua New Guinea and France (the latter of which may affect…
Pacific Island links: Tourism in PNG, gender-based violence, bans on home births, and more
Pacific Island links: Tourism in PNG, gender-based violence, bans on home births, and more
Plans to bring Cuban doctors to work in remote areas of PNG are being discussed by the two countries' respective leaders. PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has proposed a…
2016 GE Australia-Papua New Guinea Emerging Leaders Dialogue Outcomes Report
Reports
2016 GE Australia-Papua New Guinea Emerging Leaders Dialogue Outcomes Report
The Lowy Institute hosted the fourth annual Australia – Papua New Guinea Emerging Leaders Dialogue on 22-23 November 2016 in Brisbane. Jonathan Pryke , Anna Kirk , Harriet…
The future of Papua New Guinea: Old challenges for new leaders
Analyses
The future of Papua New Guinea: Old challenges for new leaders
Papua New Guinea’s next generation of leaders should take a new approach in seeking to turn around negative trends in law and order, education, and health. Emerging leaders could…
The Embarrassed Colonialist
Lowy Institute Papers
The Embarrassed Colonialist
Forty years after independence, Papua New Guinea is the largest single recipient of aid from Australia. Yet Australians seem to be largely ambivalent about the country. Few…