Papua New Guinea and Queensland formalised a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 10 December 2025, to deepen bilateral cooperation from 2025 to 2030. The agreement spans government-to-government, business-to-business and people-to-people engagements, strengthening long-term strategic ties.
Signed at the Queensland Parliament by PNG Prime Minister James Marape and Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, the MoU embodies collaboration across priority areas including trade, education, workforce mobility, health, tourism and renewable energy partnerships. Marape emphasised the mutual benefits of stronger cooperation, noting Papua New Guinea’s young workforce and its potential to support Queensland’s labour needs in sectors such as health, teaching and technical trades.
The agreement also outlines frameworks to facilitate cross-border business opportunities, strengthen supply chain linkages and promote joint ventures in priority sectors. Queensland’s longstanding relationship with PNG is expected to grow further, creating pathways for PNG companies and professionals to access broader markets and capacity-building initiatives.
Stakeholders from trade, investment and broader commercial communities welcomed the MoU, noting that it provides clearer policy certainty and engagement mechanisms that can attract investment and stimulate economic activity on both sides of the Torres Strait. The cooperative arrangement is seen as reinforcing regional stability and shared prosperity through inclusive growth and expanded economic integration.
Main Picture: Premier David Crisafulli with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape after signing the renewed PNG-Queensland Memorandum of Understanding at Queensland Parliament House on 10 December 2025. Courtesy Queensland Government website.
