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Upon initial reading I thought this article was a reprint from April 1st. Had it not been penned by such a reputable source I would not have believed how the system could have been designed so comprehensively to fail. Firstly, it is centralised in Waigani within the Department of Treasury. Take a moment to digest that. What has the Dept of Treasury got to do with labour recruitment? Secondly, it is handled at provincial and district level by the sitting Member. Does it really require the local MP to “support” the choice of candidates? How many people living in rural settings do you think would describe this as a fair and equitable approach? Thirdly, PNG recruitment hubs support mobilisation costs for people from their electorate through provincial or district services improvement program funds or internal revenue. Anyone reading this who has had experience seeking approval for anything from a local MP will know how this system is wide open to “non-performance.” It beggar’s belief on a mind numbing scale. If you wished to design a process good on intent but impossible to navigate, this has to be it. Apparently, while the “Big Three” (no irony here), Vanuatu (pop 320,000), Samoa (pop 220,000), Tonga (pop 107,000) have contributed 16,600, 6,700 and 6,500 respectively, PNG (pop 10,500,000) has managed 1,450 visas. These figures speak for themselves. I wonder how the average Australian would feel if subjected to this process. Article 23 of the Declaration of Human Rights states that people have a right to desirable work, a right of freedom from interference (Article 12) and movement in and out of their country (Article 13). In this instance, what was intended as an opportunity to access a regional labour market has turned into a dystopian bureaucratic nightmare. The government of PNG no more owns its people than any other and elected representatives cannot and do not represent interests of such a large population. We are not talking about a few villages here – at least half the population of Australia. And like the average Australian, PNG people are perfectly capable of navigating the necessary processes with assistance from a reputable migration agent and an intended employer. The nanny state over-kill exemplified by the current system treats applicants like children. It smacks of paternalism, implies some are more equal than others and will fail. As it stands it represents the worst excesses of bureaucratic overreach and does Australia’s reputation no favours. Apart from the issuance of passports keep government well away from it. Let the market and those with the desire to participate navigate this scheme in the usual manner.

PNG Labour Mobility efforts is handicapped by Lack of NID printing machines in the provinces and similar with the PNG Immigration office needs to streamline its services especially passport printing to all provinces. Namatanai District in NIP currently has 200 plus youths in Australia but can't send more due to lack of NID Card printing services in Namatanai or Kavieng and for passports you need to have a relative in POM to accomodate you for 6 weeks to follow up on your passport and Aus visa application.

A great article, thanks for giving us a better understanding of the internal DFAT dynamics in the past 10 years. Feels like the end goal for AusAID (development effectiveness) doesn't always align with the end goal for DFAT (diplomatic relations to promote Australia's interests)? An aid project can yield great development outcomes, but less clear diplomatic dividend, and vice-versa. In which case, the challenge for development staff is to show that our projects yield diplomatic dividend.

Paul you are right to some extent but it all starts from the regulators to regulate the industry and Tenement holders of each project to comply with relevant and put mechanisms in place for legitimate project area landholders to benefit equitably and it all starts with enforcement of Section 47(5) of Oil & Gas Act for Petroleum Sector and Section 155 of Minjng Act 1992 for Mining Sector. From there it is good to work bottom and and top down to maximize projects benefits. John Ipidari

Thanks for highlighting the issue. One thing there should be more awareness done to reach out to rural population who does not have access to media..

My name is John Ipidari. I have worked in Porgera as project Coordinator for Porgera and Mt Kare projects and latter as Manager Project Coordination with Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) up until 30 March 2020. As Manager I was in charge of Eight Project Coordinators looking after Project issues relating to all operating mines in PNG. There was three extreme cases of Mining issues in PNG and with Porgera it makes it as fourth extreme. Therefore if State and Resources Developers want to see long-term sustainable development in the Project areas in both Mining and Petroleum project areas, it all started with Section 47 (5) of Oil & Gas Act and Mining Act 1992 section 155. I have worked with Oil Search Ltd for 8 years in the field of exploration & business development officer and Mining as stated above. Based on above work experience and learnings I developed a simple Model to ensure project security and long-term sustainable development for the host community with existing project development funds made available as a result of the resources development. The model is called Tambiabu Model ("TM") and aimed at leaving no one behind as to sharing benefits with legitimate landholders whilst providing project security and thinking and investing for current benefits and into the future with resources developments happening in an area. The law is all there but regulators failed to enforce the laws and politicians interfere in operation of the law and some officers in state agencies become victim of complying with law. In short, the model I created is all about bottom up planning and ensuring that benefits are shared equitably for current beneficiaries and programs and sustainable development activities are put in place for benefits to flow even after project closed. One thing I achieved based on Panguna, OK Tedi , Mt Kare and Petroleum Sector experience is transfer of Paiam Private Hospital to the government to be sustained after Porgera mine closes. It is template which can be used for other projects for purposes of sustainability after mine closes. It became reality when Porgera mine closed and hospital was the only visible legacy left as a result of Porgera mine operation for the last 30 years. PNG remains land of the unexpected.

There is no hub in Daru. The District right on Queensland's doorstep. A atonal government office that can issue passports in Daru to liaise with Australian immigration officers in Thursday Island and Saibai. A short boat ride to TI and an internal flight to Mareeba airport and the workers are where the work is in North Queensland. plenty of people available who want work in Western Province.

I'm impressed and really want to see more local workers participate in PALM & RSE. Establish office in each district & province so we could meet the demands of workers.

Yes well said but when does Png G’ment ever think of the grassroots people striving to get ahead with opportunities….?……..never !

Can Australia do everything for Papua New Guinea, cause Aussie you only talk but no bench marks, I think that's the reason why China is coming into Papua New Guinea

it's ok to find jobs or employment outside of PNG if your attitude is right you will sustain your self. PNG is blessed with tones of opportunities to start your own business....I wonder why travel so far to make ends meet... I love my small sme.....soon getting somewhere

i really agreed 💯 more PNG must Go to seasonal worker's