Comments

An excellent review of the current situation which is affecting international trade and tourism also.

Well done 👏. ..indeed, an essential step forward for Vanuatu democracy!! thank yu tuma.

Congratulations on a nice and sanguine piece. Given the overly alarmist debate that usually accompanies almost any issue in Vanuatu it is nice to see well reasoned pieces by people who know their subject. It is always worth remembering that there is no correlation between political instability and development or economic growth in Vanuatu, in fact one could argue the opposite in that most of the most important reforms were actually implemented during a similar period of instability in the early 2000's and based on more instability seen in the mid 90's. Secondly, from a behavioural standpoint this bill would discourage people standing as members of a party and thereby encourage people to stand as individuals (as they are allowed to do by the Constitution). We have seen this in other jurisdictions that tried something similar. It is not always possible to legislate away a problem, As Vanuatu found with the National Disaster Management Act (which arguably creates a bigger disaster than that which it is supposed to respond to) this bill could ironically lead to more instability and not less.

Thanks, Elizabeth, for this.

Important to note PNG has ratified ILO Conventions on labour inspection, tripartite consultation and violence and harassment in the workplace. Convention No.190 is the first international labour standard to address violence and harassment in the world of work. Together with Recommendation No. 206, it provides a common tripartite framework for action and a unique opportunity to shape a future of work based on social justice and decent work. These instruments will be key to achieve the objectives set by the ILO Centenary Declaration on the Future of Work, adopted in 2019, that clearly commits to a world of work free from violence and harassment, and more recently, by the ILO’s Global call to action for a human-centred recovery from the COVID-19 crisis that is inclusive, sustainable and resilient https://www.ilo.org/global/standards/WCMS_895608/lang--en/index.htm#:~:text=labour%20inspection%20system.-,Convention%20No.,social%20justice%20and%20decent%20work.

Great piece by Sam Koim back in the day. Good to see he is now playing his part do 'drain the swamp' in his capacity as Commission General of the IRC.

Very informative and reflective piece.

Reading this account of resilience and unity in the face of Cyclone Gabrielle's devastation truly highlights the human spirit at its strongest. The collective efforts of industry, government, and community support to ensure the safety and welfare of the RSE workers are both heartening and inspiring. It's a testament to the power of collaboration and adaptation in times of crisis. My thoughts are with all those affected.

Thank you Stephen, That's a great example of an individual unintended consequence. Thanks again Terence

Unintended consequences indeed Terence. Many moons ago as a fresh and clueless development assistance worker in country not particularly far, far away from here, I assisted a young man to grow fresh produce on his father's land to raise money for school fees to continue his education. So far apparently so good. The little project was a success, so much so that his mother, whose lot it was to till the land, became involved and turned it into a nice little family earner. Over the next year or so she raised enough to change the subsistence circumstances her family had laboured under for years. The young man’s father, a chap called John, being a typically proud man from a strongly patrilineal society took most of the funds for himself. I was nonetheless quietly chuffed. That was until his long-suffering wife came into my office looking fraught. Upon enquiry as to what was wrong, she told me she had destroyed all the vegetable produce in the field. By now somewhat incredulous, I wanted to know why? Because came the reply, because John used the money I earned to buy a second wife. Never quite forgot that unintended outcome.

Thank you Paul, for the peep into the creative accounting. Didn’t start yesterday did it? Has been building as the modus operandi for decades - at least 4 of the past 5. The elite ran circles around the IMF, WB, a couple of well-meant PMs, the development sector and the population as a whole. It still does. And the result? Human capital development went out the window. So how??? is what you hear standing in an East Rossel, Lake Murray, ( ) fill in the blanks community. How do we get services? Hate to tell you about the depressed doctors, decrepit wards and nothing to work with. Worn-out teachers with nothing to teach. GBV as quasi sport. The bulging youth population, brooding in some places like a smouldering volcano. In the words of the bard “when you ain’t got nothing, you got nothing to lose.” And that’s precisely where it’s at - for the bulk of a young population. A population of 9-15 (pick a number because your guess is as good as the next) million are not going to sit quietly under a coconut or yar tree for much longer while a treasure trove of natural resources are plundered from under their feet and regional players know it. The stage is set for the emergence of an authoritarian leader, invasion by stealth or general mayhem. The time to get real about the land four kilometres (4km) to the north of the one down under is now.

Impressive! Model of ethical leadership.