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From Yauka on Where now for Australian aid?
I agree with the 'effective aid' approach thinking. This area needs more thinking and conversations within the Australian aid community but also with PNG nationals (who may have something to say on this), contributing into that conversation. I think this ('effective aid' before 'more aid') may be the best way to support PNG with the aid dollar and help it from being lured and dragged, even unwittingly, into other potentially damaging relations into the future.
For some time now, I have been thinking and wondering whether some aid intervention should take place to trigger sustainable economic activities "at the district levels" as targeted projects.
I am thinking of a program which I may call "DEES"--district economic endowments survey. Why DEES? Because at the moment, most districts do not have economic development plans based around sustainable economic projects/programs (they only base them around DSIP!). For most, this would be agriculture based programs, but, exactly what/which agriculture program? For which particular mass market? This, I think, is what DEES may help uncover.
DEES would be a rapid survey that would identify the actual economic endowments of a district and link the development of those endowments to mass markets (actually, only one or two major economic market-linked projects per district based upon their identified endowment/s). The survey would identity the best markets available, nationally & internationally, and the supply chains for them.
As it is now, people in the districts of PNG try to get into anything they can try, hoping to generate income for families. Many trials and efforts go to waste as the market is not there to demand their agriculture produce. This is what the DEES would help to alleviate: a mass market would be found for them, including the supply chain and a dedicated management team put in place as part of the DEES Project to provide technical support such as advice on supply chain matters, price, basic business skills, quality, extension services, new international market entry regulatory/compliance issues, etc.
Thus, DEES is one area I would recommend the Australian Government and DFAT and the Australian Aid Community to consider carefully. In my view, it has the potential of triggering real, sustainable market and demand-driven economic impetus at the district levels where majority of PNG people live. Once we do that, we are on our way to 'economic security for PNG families' especially the majority in the rural areas. Once PNG families find economic security, I feel that, they may be more able to speak up against and oppose leaders' corruption, oppose government plans to bring in questionable developers & their questionable mega projects and so on. Families' economic security will give independence to individual families. They (or we) do not need to await handouts from leaders who in turn will control our political behaviour (current general situation in PNG).
In short, the PNG leaders are capitalizing on the "economic vulnerabilities" of the PNG families. And some external entities already know this and are jumping in via their collaborators within PNG. Thus, in my view, one of the best possible aid investment is through "economic empowerment and economic security for the majority of PNG families." I believe DEES, when compared against other aid investment vehicles, provides one of the best roadmaps going forward.
From Robert KO on PNG’s eye health heroes
Hi Bob
I am Dr Robert KO, an ophthalmologist, one of those trained by our eye HERO Dr Garap. Thank you so much for the positive comments.
Now at Port Moresby General Hospital, we are more equipped with necessary equipment for improved services. Over the last few years, our cataract surgical rates have increased and outcomes have also improved.
Thanks to all our partners for continual support in eye care provision in Papua New Guinea
From Karen Downing on Incumbency in Papua New Guinea: the minuses and pluses
The PNG MP Database, a product of the ANU-UPNG partnership, is keeping track of election results: https://devpolicy.org/pngmps/
From Jono on Australia and New Zealand’s silence on democracy and human rights in the Pacific
In the name of accuracy the last sentence should perhaps read; “Scratching each other’s back has become a thing of the past - especially since it cannot be done with both hands firmly stuck in the other fellas pockets."
From Fogo on Incumbency in Papua New Guinea: the minuses and pluses
Any Update on <a href="https://selectiondc.com/png-election-2022-counting-results/" rel="nofollow ugc">PNG Election</a> 2022?
From James Cox on Pacific Engagement Visa quotas need to be set strategically and selectively
Thanks for a very interesting and persuasive piece. Sundry thoughts:
The analysis highlights the gross underrepresentation of Melanesian people in immigration to Australia. How many ex-colonial countries have been so diligent in keeping their former subjects out? The Whitlam Institute's Pacific & PNG Perspectives reports made clear just how much the difficulty of access to Australia is resented by people living in the arc from PNG to Fiji. It is definitely good for this proposal to identify them as priority countries - data backing up natural justice.
It would be an interesting exercise to go one step further to look at whether particular places within each country enjoy disproportionate access - and what if anything might be done about it.
In the longer term it would seem to be logical for Australia & New Zealand to harmonise their Pacific immigration processes - as this shows the current patchwork of front door and back door access is not the most efficient way of doing things. Bring on a Pacific Schengen system!
From Trish Castle on Australia and New Zealand’s silence on democracy and human rights in the Pacific
And then there's Tokelau, where residents who have chosen not to be injected with Covid-19 "vaccines" are reportedly denied basic human rights, including the right to leave their residence.
From Soniah on Pacific Engagement Visa quotas need to be set strategically and selectively
Australia needs to do something fast or her ignorance will see China rise. Melanesian have been neglected for far too long so it will be tough play. Let’s roll the dice!
Prioritise Melanesian visa’s and you will have the influence!
From Aptar Singh Nirwan on Australia and New Zealand’s silence on democracy and human rights in the Pacific
As we all know in politics there is no friend & no enemy; issues affecting peoples' life have to be fairly & squarely dealt with honesty, vision & mission, tactfully & intelligently for good of all.
Scratching each other’s back is thing of past.
From PeterRae on Australia and New Zealand’s silence on democracy and human rights in the Pacific
The opposition is part of government and should be invited to forum meetings. The opposition is there because a substantial number of voters put them there.
From Isaac Komni on The role of the private sector in Australian aid delivery
I am very interested in this aus aid to carry this opportunity.
From dan unsel on The Solomons security shambles, and what it says about us