Comments

Since the demand for Kina is low in the foreign exchange market, the Kina will certainly depreciate under the flexible regime. The immediate impact is that the price of imports will increase. Another wave of inflation is on the way for PNG, on top of the current high prices. Without any doubt, this will severely affect the welfare of our ordinary people. The idea of moving the Kina towards convertibility is good but timing in not right.

Thanks Nelson, Those are great principles. The question now is how to reshape the state in PNG to deliver them. Thanks again Terence

Thank you, Stephen. Will look at the report and its key findings. Would appreciate any information on some of the questions raised in regards to the regulatory, monitoring and enforcement aspects. I am not sure if it is covered in the report. Any thoughts on that would be great.

Hi Bal, I can't answer all these questions, but the study we cited in the blog provides good evidence that seasonal workers are better treated than backpackers, the most common visa type for farm workers. That study was a few years ago, and the SWP is much more regulated now than it was then. We've called for annual surveys of both SWP workers and employers. That hasn't happened. But Devpol and the World Bank have recently undertaken (with DFAT funding) a survey of 2,085 SWP and PLS workers. The report is still being worked on, but the key findings were presented at the Pacific Update: see <a href="https://devpolicy.org/2023-Pacific-Update/Day_3/Panel_7_1_Doan_Edwards.pdf" rel="ugc">here</a>. In most respect, Pacific seasonal workers are positive about their experience: e.g., pay expectations are met, satisfaction with accommodation is high. But there are certainly issues, such as dissatisfaction with deductions. Interestingly, the study finds positive social as well as economic impacts. Regards, Stephen

I endorse this proactive comment about the need for fuller engagement by government and other parties, and the fact that all problems need specific local solutions to be found. Furthermore, there is much to be learned from the global literatures on combatting the power of gangs and countering armed insurgencies. Techniques for penetrating and disrupting gangs and addressing the motives/incentives facing insurgents both have long histories which would repay analysis in the PNG context.

One prominent PNG leader made a reflection on governance and service-delivery in PNG and said that PNG needs a reformed system that promotes: ● egalitarianism, ● multilateralism, and ● interdependence. I am convinced that that is the new vision for the dynamic political governance setting for PNG.

Very good informative information - Skills in partnership building bridge between communities outreach development programs.

Thanks for the book review. Referring to the statement on “safeguards embedded to prevent exploitation.” Some questions: (1) which agency does the regulation and enforcement of those safeguards? (2) how regular are the monitoring happening in the farms across the country, and what methods of monitoring and regulation are being used? (3) whoever that does the monitoring, do they have country offices accessible to Pacific workers? (4) what security is provided to whistleblower workers? Is there incentives for reporting malpractices? (5) are there empirical studies conducted to prove that the safeguards were implemented? (6) referring to the statement ‘similarly paid as Australians’, is this based on empirical evidence of actual payslips? It that appears contrary to the payslips sighted from multiple work stations.

Thanks special to Australian government and New Zealand government also for their helping hand to our small country to get this opportunity for our people to be the part of their family through this visa, I wish am the who have it, God bless.

Yes, sadly the State entities are largely disengaged from issues and activities at the community level, and therefore invariably unresponsive and ill-equipped to respond to crises ... that said, the scenario is not universally identical across the Highlands let alone the country. Tribal conflicts which were frequent in the eastern provinces in the Highlands, are far less prevalent these days, whereas the reverse seems to be the case in some of the western districts in the Highlands. Also the capacity to limit and offset conflict through local settlements, rather than incessant payback and destruction, seems more prevalent in the Eastern provinces and districts? How deep this goes, how much this entails better or more engaged leadership, how much traditional or cultural influences apply, and/or how far long prevalence of major resource projects and associated expectations and increased income disparities and frustration have influenced the current scenarios are of interest; some are inclined to give up in complete frustration with government, political leaders and agencies, and yet they can be and should be a big part of the solution, if engaged, responsive and pushed into greater accountability, but they and corrupt leaders, who gain public office through fraudulent and sometimes violent means, can also be a major part of the problem. Trying to leave govt out of the dialogue is not the way to go, though it can be very frustrating and there'll be more constructive outcomes in some cases than others. There are some examples of constructive engagement around the country, with some leaders ready to listen and engage with communities, innovators and reformers. Examples of constructive engagement with positive outcomes are also noticed amongst communities and able to be replicated, to some extent; one often hears questions asked by people from some of the most resource rich provinces and districts, how come resource poorer Chimbu, or parts of Eastern and Western Highlands nowadays have less conflict, and seem to progress so well academically academically and that their Children's fund isn't pilfered like some others? Certainly, there are lessons to be learnt from place to place, even if all face issues (like prevention of women voting, let alone being elected), but establishing a level of constructive social capital is critical, which can take a wider community beyond immediate descent into conflict is critical, while credible and accountability leadership and national and local administration and services are fundamental.

The Australian government and the Pacific Island Leaders should consider dialogue with the Pacific Island Council Queensland (PICQ) to identify what the diasporas can assist in. Diaspora communities are important because they will have on the ground knowledge and experience in Australia on things like where to find jobs, and what not. Just a suggestion.

Christians should fast and pray for God's intervention. Word of God ; in 2 Chronicles 7: 14, God is saying, if my people humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their sins and wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land and country. Only God and God alone, God of Peace, can solve these problems. God is a God of impossible, problem where human cannot solve it God can. We need God's intervention now.