Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, my brother, the Honourable James Marape whose leadership and support has helped make the PNG Chiefs possible.
Tongan Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua who is such a passionate advocate for the young people of his nation and the difference rugby league makes to their lives.
Samoan Prime Minister Honourable Laʻaulialemalietoa who is a keen supporter of Samoa's national rugby league teams and their contributions to Samoa.
And Chairman Peter V'landys who was central to bringing this partnership together.
Representatives of the national rugby league federations.
Excellencies, distinguished guests one and all.
I am delighted to join you as we launch the Pacific Rugby League Partnership.
A partnership between nations, leagues, clubs and schools but above all between peoples.
A partnership built on the Pacific's deep, shared passion for rugby league.
For all us, more than a sport: a language, a culture, a connection that is both family and faith.
A bond that unites communities and inspires the next generation.
I have no doubt if you went for a walk around Brisbane today, you'd see a lot of children in jerseys.
But I can tell you, you see them in villages along the Kokoda Trail too.
Papua New Guinea alone is home to more than 800 languages but everyone speaks rugby league.
From the proud island nations of the Pacific, to the suburbs and regions of Queensland and New South Wales rugby league unites us and inspires us.
The first signing for the PNG Chiefs, Jarome Luai is a powerful symbol of that: a premiership player, origin winner and an Australian who takes pride in his Samoan heritage.
The Partnership we launch today celebrates these connections.
It also recognises that the power of sport runs deeper than the joy that it brings us, it is about what sport teaches us.
Children learn how to win, how to lose, how to work together as a team.
They learn those essential life lessons of resilience, routine, discipline and hard work.
As community focal points, sporting clubs offer a pathway to jobs and training.
What's more, sporting clubs can be a safe space for young people.
They place where they feel most comfortable talking with their teammates, or their coaches about big issues: their mental health, problems at home, or concerns they might have for a friend.
It is so important that these opportunities and this security is open to women and girls as well.
The growth of women's rugby league here in Australia and across the Pacific is truly inspiring.
It shows what is possible with a commitment to access and equality, from grassroots facilities all the way to the elite level and this Partnership will build on that too.
Today, our Pacific family draws closer together.
We bond around a shared love of this great game, a shared investment in our young people and their future and a shared commitment to the region we call home.
This is a great day for rugby league, for all our nations and for the next generation.
