PNG PM bonds with Turnbull over NRL

The Papua New Guinean prime minister apparently used the NRL grand final as an opportunity to bond with his latest Australian counterpart.

Malcolm Turnbull met with Peter O'Neill on the eve of the grand final and the two were photographed together at the event.

Mr Turnbull is the fourth Australian prime minister Peter O'Neill has dealt with since 2011.

The pair discussed climate change, aid and PNG's preparations for hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in 2018 during bilateral talks at the weekend.

Mr O'Neill invited Mr Turnbull to visit Port Moresby at a time of his convenience.

They agreed to change foreign adviser roles in PNG filled by Australian public servants on secondment to contract positions from December.

"This will achieve greater accountability and value for both countries," Mr O'Neill said in a statement.

The move will affect the contingent of Australian Federal Police officers providing training and mentoring to PNG counterparts in Port Moresby and Lae.

Mr O'Neill and former prime minister Tony Abbott had been keen to change police arrangements and make the Australian officers more operational on the beat, when they met on the sidelines of the Pacific Island forum in September.

Mr O'Neill threatened earlier this year to expel Australian public servants over fears they were spying and making local staff lazy.