Australian taxpayers are expected to meet at least a third of the cost of Papua New Guinea's ambitious plan to host next year's APEC summit.
The ABC reports that confirmation this week 73 Australian police officers will remain in PNG until the end of the November 2018 leaders' meeting marks the beginning of a series of commitments covering security, diplomatic support, advisory roles, intelligence services and immigration processes.
The broadcaster said the Australian Federal Police commitment of US$36 million dollars and the other contributions will exceed US$75 million before the summit is held.
Opposition MPs have raised concern about the $US80-million cost of hosting APEC and a planned lavish structure in Port Moresby. Photo: Supplied/ PNG Government Website
It said the Australian Government had contemplated leaving the Peter O'Neill Government in PNG to fund APEC on its own, but security and foreign policy advisers had persuaded it that a retreat would risk China filling the breach.
A series of APEC meetings are to run throughout the year, finishing when the leaders meet in Port Moresby.
