Comments

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

The only agenda that does not have support from the other PIF is the DSM with calls to establish PPADSM for wider consultation, which Cook Island openly disapproved the moratorium. Apparently, it is a desperate move for resources less island state to venture into this investment portfolio because they are feeling the pinch of economic inflation. The impact of COVID-19 and other global economic crises are putting them on the crossroad so they are outstretching their capacity to exploit whatever mineral resources they have within their exclusive zone to mine it to float their economy. A blind or little attention to the impact it might have in their ocean is not considered seriously. Essentially, it is call for increase support from bigger economies to step in and help.

Thanks Terence. Good to know that Australians do support our aid programs. It would equally be much better if the various Ministers for Foreign Affairs had done the same. Or the various junior Ministers for International Development (etc). It's a long time since I've heard any Minister say something like: "Australia gives aid to help develop countries without the wealth of Australia. In support of our international obligations to assist in implementing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. We also pass on some of Australia's wealth to the 700 million people globally living on less than (US) $2.15 a day - living in extreme poverty. Australia continues to have successes with our aid too. Welcome examples have included ..." The last is what I always look forward to, where our Ministers tell Australians how effective our progams have been. The money in the aid budget is important, but it's what those expenditures demonstrably achieve is far more important. If DFAT can demonstrate its aid performance and final outcomes. By applying the Finance Department's Resource Management Guide 130 https://www.finance.gov.au/government/managing-commonwealth-resources/planning-and-reporting/commonwealth-performance-framework/evaluation-commonwealth-rmg-130

Very true Alyssa. We have never met but l like and appreciate your words. If you get the chance next time you are in PNG try to get outside of Port Moresby ... thats where the real PNG steps in with more colour, beauty, amazing people and culture. I am an Aussie expat of almost 10 years married to an amazing PNG meri, based in Lae. The dichotomy of the love and respect countered by the passion that can turn quickly to violence also astounds and hurts my upbringing but notwithstanding that PNG is my home, and l love every aspect of the people the community and this Land of the Unexpected (and opportunity). As you state the inequity between the living conditions of the middle and upper class (two titles l don't like) and 85% of the nation who have no job is the biggest challenge of Govt, the community and business. Enjoy your next venture in this delightful journey called life, it can all be gone in a heartbeat. JB

Unfortunately it seems we have continued down this path of elections marred with violence and fraud in 2022. PNG continues to regress at the hands of leaders interested in lining their pockets. What can we do to turn the tide?

I believe the root cause is how we perceive ourselves to be better more in relation to others. If we can be able to see ourselves equal to others regardless of our pride then I believe we can have respect for one another. In this way we can live in peace and harmony.

Thank you Wadun and Nikunj for your comments. Among the PACER Plus shortcomings is the absence of an investor/state dispute settlement (ISDS) process. I have previously commented on this absence and the concomitant need for an investor to rely on diplomatic espousal when things go wrong. PACER Plus could have been improved by including within the agreement arrangements similar to those adopted by the Singapore Convention on Mediation (SCM). ‘Mediation’ and ‘conciliation’ are near inter-changeable terms in this context. The SCM process and rules lack the quasi-juridical character of an ICSID arbitration. Inclusion of an SCM type process would likely have overcome Aus MFAT hesitancy to include ISDS within the investment chapter and would, I think, have been regarded as more culturally acceptable within the PIF context. Fiji was the second country after Singapore to sign the SCM. Fiji ratified the SCM on 12 September 2020. Australia, Palau and Samoa have signed but have yet to ratify the SCM. NZ and other PIF countries have not yet signed. If a revised PACER Plus were to include such arrangements and/or the PIF countries were to sign and ratify the SCM there would then be no need to plumb the depths of Export Finance Australia in order to determine their policy on subrogation. And rank and file members of political parties in Aus and NZ and elsewhere who view ISDS arbitrations as a trespass on their and any nation’s sovereignty might also be pacified. Vailala