Anthony Albanese says he would like to see a Port Moresby-based Pacific team enter the NRL by 2025 to mark the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence, tying Australian taxpayer support for the plan as a way to counter China’s growing regional influence.

Mr Albanese and Pacific Minister Pat Conroy announced on Wednesday the government would tip in $7 million to help fund a new end-of-season competition, the Pacific Championship, involving men’s and women’s teams from Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Tonga.