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Australia boosting diplomatic presence in PNG

In a statement the Australian government says Lae, as PNG's commercial capital, is integral to Australia's US$13.7 billion investment in the country.

Australia also provides PNG with US$393 million dollars in annual aid support.

It said the consulate-general will boost Australia's presence and bolster the growing trade and investment relationship.

The announcement came during the annual Australia-PNG Ministerial Forum in Canberra.

Calls for PNG govt to borrow internationally

The leader of the opposition Don Polye said PNG should seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund following revenue shortfalls caused by the global collapse of oil and mineral prices.

Public servants in PNG have complained this month about not being paid wages and funds for basic services in the provinces appear to have dried up.

Economist Paul Flanagan said the IMF was a good source of cheap finance.

"The opposition is talking about maybe going to the IMF. The IMF is actually reasonably cheap finance to assist with these types of transitions.

Author laments ignorance about PNG in Australia

'The Embarrassed Colonialist' is a Lowy Institute Paper, published by Penguin Australia and written by Sean Dorney, who has been a leading figure in Pacific regional journalism for decades.

Mr Dorney said in many ways Australia seems to have forgotten that for a long time, PNG was its colony.

Since the book's recent publication, he heard an interesting aside from a member of the PNG Australia Association.

Tonga Gov remain confident they can deliver Pacific Games

A Papua New Guinea delegation flew home after spending four days in Nuku'alofa assessing the Kingdom's sporting facilities.

PNG, which hosted the 2015 Games, has offered to assist Tonga and will be involved in the refurbishment of the Teufaiva National Stadium.

China and New Zealand have also made significant financial contributions and Tonga's Sports Minister, Fe'ao Vakata, who chairs the facilities committee, said the venues will be delivered on time.

Kiwis beat PNG 7-1

They scored seven goals to PNG's 1 (7-1) and appear favourites for the second match next week.

Striker Annalie Longo and mid fielder Amber Hearn collected two each in both halves.

At half time, goals through Longo, Hearn and Rebekah Stott and Aimie Philips took NZ to a 4-nil lead during the break.

 In the second half, Longo dribbled past three PNG defenders to find the net and score her second goal for the day.

Sweeper Katie Duncan stepped up after a cross over and headed in before Longo sealed her second goal to her name.

Kiwis lead PNG

PNG were dwarfed by the tall Kiwi girls.

More to come...

Kig’s double takes PNG U17 to OFC final

The late goal at extra time was scored by Robertlynn Kig who also scored PNG’s first goal.

PNG was the first to score when Kig floated home a free kick into the top corner of the goal and found the net four minutes into the game.

New Caledonia struggled to escape PNG’s defensive half but couldn’t get past the strong backline as they attempted to score on several occasions.

Our girls pushed through the first half to hold a 1-0 lead over New Caledonia at halftime.

UOG Gender Studies gets good vibes

Women Arise PNG sees this as a positive move in the right direction in promoting gender issues and as a result gender sensitivity.

PNG to take on New Caledonia in U17 semis

This match will get underway today at the CIFA Academy at 1pm (PNG time).

PNG and New Zealand are the only teams to go through pool play without a defeat.

But after a first-up 7-1 drubbing of Vanuatu, PNG struggled a little, edging Cook Islands 2-1 before the draw with Fiji on Match Day 5.

Our girls will be banking on top striker in the tournament Belinda Giada to help them secure a win.

Giada scored a total of eight goals so far in the tournament, four goals against Vanuatu, two goals against Cook Islands and another two against Fiji.

PNG, New Zealand eye Olympic glory

This match will get underway at the PNG Football Association Academy pitch in Lae and will kick-off at 2pm.

The return leg will be played in New Zealand which is scheduled on 26 January at QBE Stadium in Auckland.

The winner will advance to the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament set to take place during the 2016 Olympic Games at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 5-21 August 2016.