The Queensland Rugby League receives some well-deserved recognition

The QRL is currently headquartered opposite Suncorp Stadium in inner city Milton. It has flooded twice in recent years.

It makes sense for the QRL to include a Centre for Excellence in its proposal.

In my view the federal government should seriously consider helping to fund the project if it includes young players from PNG, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands.

And it might even include rugby union.

It most certainly needs to include places for women and youth.

The QRL is deserving of support for a project that has an unlimited capacity to strengthen our regional links.

It is further evidence that sport can be the great unifier between Australia and our neighbours. It is something China can’t offer!

I don’t believe $2.2 million is anywhere enough. But it is a start and can be built on.

The Prime Minister is a genuine rugby league tragic.

Rugby league needs to harness his support.

It is helpful that the federal Sport Minister, Anita Wells, and the Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, are also league fans.

There is probably a widely held view that most Papua New Guineans support the Maroons. Sadly they don’t! When Premier Peter Beattie visited PNG in 2002 he presented the Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, with a Maroons jumper. Without hesitation The Chief said “I support the Blues”.