Comments

Australia has a lot to learn from France in dealing with the Pacific. Last year (2022) I visited New Caledonia and was quite impressed by the evolution of power relations between Metropolitan France and the island territory. Coincidently, during the week that I was in the most separatist province (Northern Province), the sculpture of Jean-Marie Tjibou shaking hands with Jacques Lafleur was erected at Peace Square (Place de la paix) in Noumea. The Pacific is still in the process of decolonisation. The discourse is the development uses terms such as "local context", "hybrid model", "home grown" etc... to justify or give credibility to development initiatives that usually involve importing ideas, materials, and institutional structures from outside. I think the story of how France relates to the people of New Caledonia in responding to their development needs while accommodating aspirations for self-determination is relevant to discussions and practice of development in the Pacific. In terms of the relevance of France to PNG, we have the investment by Total in the Papua LNG project. France could also assist PNG in the extractive industries with the experiences of empowering the Northern Province government of New Caledonia acquire greater control of the value chain of the Nickel industry. The set-up of the agriculture and livestock sector in New Caledonia can also inform the development of the sector in Melanesia. I thank the authors for highlighting the importance of France in the Pacific.

Looking forward for P.E.V and hopefully it gets the approval from the Senate and we can apply. Hope it happens

More insights like this is needed to foster and revive some "silenced" regional development coordination instruments born out of the 2009 PIF Cairns Compact on Strengthening Development Coordination (Forum Compact), which mobilised both Pacific countries and a host of key donor partners (including Australia, USA, Japan, UN, ADB, World Bank, EU) around accountability mechanisms aimed at regular review and subsequent reform of Pacific PFM and aid management systems through peer review; and annual reporting of donor partners against international principles of good practice (Paris, Accra, Busan) to Pacific leaders ie: donor coordination, use of country systems etc. These were Pacific country led approaches that for some reason have been pushed to the margins of regional development discourse and practice, yet, from the growing geo-political competition in the Pacific, is still very much needed.

Dear Mr Singirok, Thank you very much for your response and for engaging with my academic analysis of your book. Please understand my commentary was not intended as a personal attack, although I can understand why you might feel strongly about the issues. I am sure, we both agree that an open dialogue on issues relating to our country, we both know and love, is important and should be encouraged. It is my duty as an academic to engage in analysis of important topics, such as those engaged in by your book. These are issues on which reasonable people might disagree, but that should not be a reason not to discuss them. Kind regards, Henry Ivarature BA Hons 1st Class (Political Science), UPNG (1988) MA (Public Administration), Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand (1991) PhD (Sociology), Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand (1994)

🤞Let's hope and pray for the end of July. Because it has to come as a give and take for both Australia and its Pacific neighbor. It may have Pros and Cons which needs careful reconsideration. Looking forward 👌 Thank tumas for this article 🙏

Really looking forward to the passing of this bill in the Australian senate. With the youth bulge in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific it is a great opportunity to be permanent residents of Australia and contributing to our home countries in terms of remittances. Can't wait to apply for the lottery.

Malo le soifua maua male lagi e mama Melesisea Leasiolagi Malama, Fa'afetai lava for three excellent blogs drawn from your keynote presentation at the recent Pacific Update 2023 conference in Suva. Your insightful comments on the impact labour mobility schemes are having on Samoa's families, communities, businesses and wider economy are greatly appreciated. Many of the concerns that Samoa's current government have about temporary labour migration in Australia and New Zealand are surfacing in Tonga and Vanuatu as well -- the other two countries that have been primary sources of temporary labour for primary sector industries and enterprises overseas. Your reflections on the challenges facing the operation of temporary labour migration schemes in Samoa will be very helpful for those currently involved in reviewing policies relating to labour supply in their own countries, as well as those in New Zealand and Australia who are reviewing policies relating to the operation of the RSE and PALM schemes. Fa'afetai lava.

Hi Joyce, as the blog says, the PEV has not yet been legislated – but you can go to the Australian Government website for further information on eligibility, etc: https://www.dfat.gov.au/pacific-engagement-visa

This will benefit both sides not only for the Pacific Islanders but to the Australian economic as well.

I Joyce from PNG, I think this the great opportunity for me to work and live in Australia ... I'm in Bowen Queensland working in Rugby Farm ... Hired by Rugby Farm under permanent employment 2 years visa ... I'm very interested to apply for PR through Pacific Engagement visa so please may I have the link or how can I can I apply??

The proposed PEV Bill must be endorsed and passed by both side of the Australian Parliament if Australia's commitment in supporting its Pacific neighbors is to be seen as more meaningful and in the spirit of mutual benefit. PEV would be the first ever visa category that would give greater opportunity and easy access for the Pacific Islanders, especially those who are less represented under PALM visa and with larger population to live and work in Australian . If the Visa application by Lottery works in New Zeeland, it would definitely work in Australia. Why not try it out and see if it works well or not? I therefore fully support and urge for the PEV Bill to be passed.

The concept is a step in the right direction, mutually beneficial to both Australia and the Pacific, and will greatly enhance Australia's ongoing commitment to the Pacific. Hoping for the best to happen, soon. tenk yu