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I love the Pacific engagement

Indeed very disappointing if this Pacific diaspora flow does not eventuate as we are all hoping for something to hold on to or hope for as we navigate the Australian migration process. As a Pacific Labour Scheme worker, I for one would like to have an alternative … a plan A and a plan B … when it comes to my visa pathways towards a PR. Hoping for the best to eventuate through these Senate proceedings … vinaka

Still yet to be passed. Please think of families that are away from each other for more than a year. Pacific islanders are hard working people, if given the opportunity to reunite and stay with their loved ones, while working, will also boost each individual. These will be a great opportunity for some families that have kids. A family that stays together prays together and works together 😀

Now to know that PEV is yet to be passed at the Senate; may be it is not a good sign for us Pacific Island countries eligible for the PEV but we are hoping for the best!

Thanks for this reflection on a topic of great importance. Judicial enlivening and enforcement of customary law is in large part an exercise of judicial liberalism. Courts need to have clear directives in the constitution that mandates such exercise, or else, judges and lawyers will (and as is currently the case) revert to the default black letter law syndrome of scepticism, doubt and rejection. So a critical part of this rethinking process of giving great impetus to customary law is asking — how many of the Pacific judiciaries have express powers in their constitutions to enforce and develop customary law and those powers being supported by a range of other powers that establishes a broader role of the judiciary that allows it to engage with various aspects of the society that influence and construct customs? Customary law enlivening or enforcement powers alone in isolation, as is the case in many Pacific states, is unlikely to improve this situation as long as the broader constitutional architecture remains conservative in form, substance and attitude/thinking. The conversation should therefore involve a demand for constitutional reform if customary law development, an exercise in constitutional liberalism and innovation, is to make any significant progress in the Pacific.

The conference helped everyone to rethink of the role of customary law and the western system in their respective island jurisdictions. Preserving what still works in customary law and adopting what fits or works well with customary law should be the way forward. Up to now, most folks in Yap aren't familiar with the western system and quite uncomfortable with its confrontational nature. Hence the rethinking part.

Hi Michael. Excellent write-up. I'd like to say that section 63 of the constitution needs to be reviewed btw, some of the even you noted needed to be rectified. Otherwise all good.

Hi Patrick. I gather that community leaders from Kait village on the west coast of the Konoagil LLG area have sought assistance from national NGO ForCert to develop a sustainable land use plan and forest conservation scheme as an alternative to the large-scale projects that you mention. If you do not know people from Kait village, perhaps you could contact ForCert to get more information.

The DDA Watch is a useful and new NGO development - https://www.ddawatch.org/node/126 "The website provides access to information on Papua New Guinea’s District Infrastructure Support Program (DISP) and the work of all ninety-three individual District Development Authorities (DDAs). The website is completely politically neutral and is not associated with any political party, any elected official or any intending candidate. All DDAs are represented and the information about them is presented without any bias, favour or discrimination. The website is designed to encourage public participation in the democratic process and social auditing and is funded through community donations."

Thanks Stephen, I agree that the colonial creation of PNG, and the agglomeration of a very heterogeneous population, cast a long shadow over PNG's politics. What you suggest regarding District Development Funds would fit very nicely under the heading "unorthodox political engineering". It sounds like a very sensible proposal. The challenge would be to convince politicians to actually implement it. Hopefully, that can be overcome. Terence

Thanks Eddie, It is fascinating to hear about the DDA Watch website. It will be interesting to see what affect it has on accountability and performance. Thanks again for the insight. Terence

The recently launched website, DDA Watch is an example of a positive step towards improving governance in PNG. For far too long millions have been given out to 94 districts with very less or zero accountability on how these funds have been spent. It is a nightmare too for the Department of Implementation and Rural Development and Auditor Generals Office who are meant to audits on the districts who find it difficult to access information- district plans, budgets, inspection reports and audit reports. About time, we have more scrutiny over the use these funds meant for service delivery to the rural masses. Thanks Eddie