Comments

Hi Jonathon. Thank you for your comment, I’m glad to hear about your positive engagement with the scheme. On your first point, the use of protection visas as a defacto work permit is something we’ve talked about on this blog before (https://devpolicy.org/absconding-for-asylum-20220204/). I’m not sure if you’ve seen that the new government is proposing to cover travel costs for Pacific workers, so the upfront costs (apart from the first $300) will no longer be borne by employers, but by the government. Under these new settings, there will (maybe) be less risk that employers will be completely out of pocket, and there will be less incentive to recover costs as quickly. We will have to wait and see what the new government is thinking on that front. On your second point, I definitely agree that workers should be able to choose when and how to pay back their costs. What this proposal is about is making sure that there is at least a guaranteed minimum after deductions – that the ‘small income’ requested – isn’t too small, and is enough to live off. If workers are saving $17k in a season, it shouldn’t be too much an issue – maybe only a few weeks that it would fall below and be carried forward. Perhaps the flip side is that in high earning weeks if workers want to voluntarily pay off their costs more quickly they should also be given that choice, while still having a safety net. I suppose my view is that this idea would ensure consistency across the board and give greater public assurance that workers are being treated well. Cheers Evie

Hello I have been a approved employer for approximately 6 years. I consider the program to be a brilliant scene have have found it beneficial for my company. When seasonal workers have arrived at my business I have found them to be excellent employees. I further am aware that my employees are incredibly frugal with there money with many able to save up to 17000 Australian dollars on a 9 month placement. Further most of my seasonal workers wish to pay off their deductions quickly with many requesting to only receive a small income at the beginning with the rest working to paying off the deductions. My concerns with the proposal are 2. 1 - many seasonal workers arrive in Australia with the intention to abscond. In my experience I employed 20 seasonal workers through a labour hire company (Jobs Australia). Of the 20 seasonal workers 10 absconded within the first month of placement. Jobs Australia had to wear that up front cost with no return. Seasonal workers are well aware of the government loop hole to claim asylum which will in turn have you granted a Bridging Visa A with work rights. They then move to Sydney and work in construction or factory work. I am well aware that the 10 seasonal workers are currently working in Sydney using this loop hole. 2 - like I stated earlier the seasonal workers who work for me a brilliant savers. If rainy days occur many prefer to pay their costs such as rent with their savings rather than letting them accrued. If you have any questions please give me a call Regards

Farmers are never appreciated for their hard work, the exporter and third party make a profit on their hard work. Farmers need to be educated on the value of their organic products and be able to market at right price. Western world has a short supply of organic produce, most produce have huge toxins from chemicals they use. Farmers in PNG must not gamble the value of their produce at the cost of greedy third parties. Knowledge is power and the better educated our farmers are the value of their produce will go up.

Please define and explain Hard Kina Policy in a simple context.

Thanks for this. I am hoping to expand on the topic later and will certainly draw on this source. Best wishes David

To be well content with the meaning of Christian means that life with God is real so law is just made to govern us not to force us into doing things with out hesitate to worship God.

Devaluing kina to increase revenue for the agriculture sector is not a solution. The simple point is that how much will a farmer save at the end of the day counts more than how much he or she earns. In a situation where kina is devalued cost of farming will increase. A farmer will have to spend more on imported goods(tools, fertilizers, pesticides, etc) than how much he or she earns. To increase a farm earnings is to increase production and reduce farm cost. Policy makers including exchange rate have to be addressed innovatively by thinking outside the box and not focusing on devaluing the currency.

From a laymen perspective, I agree to arguments made by Songo Nore. The Government should think outside the box in addressing policy issues and increased exports targeting the non-extractive industry. Devaluing kina will cause more harm then good.

Hi David, those comments about the UK lottery fund not funding international development aren’t quite correct … I’ve worked for development INGOs that have received those funds. And here’s a list of some £100m of international grants. Fair to argue that this is insignificant if there have been £80bn of total disbursements though. https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/grants?programme=International%20Grants

Good article. Also, the unexploded ordinances, bombs, etc. from World War II need to be removed from Solomon Islands by those involved in the war, especially US & Japan, as these unexploded ordinances continue to kill Solomon Islanders to this day.

How can help update the electoral roll?

Thanks Peter. I agree, it would be great to see political leadership on this. Terence