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For the whole world, the whole world excluding China, and for many, many individual countries the period since the 1970s has been one of major improvements in living standards. I would direct any readers interested in this claim to the information on Our World in Data, in particular that on poverty globally, by region, and country. https://ourworldindata.org/extreme-poverty Their website is very helpful, and covers other living standards indicators although I find the extreme poverty discussion particularly helpful. I am sure the authors can answer any questions on the DHS if they wish, but I would also just like to please flag that the alternative repeated (not panel but repeat cross section), namely the census (if you wanted to rely on less ideal proxy variables, like housing or population) or the HIES, do not take us through to the present (rather, around ten years ago), so the DHS is not only the best source but the only source that can do this quantitatively in a nationally representative way. With best wishes, Ryan

Great perspective. As an international aid worker based in PNG this post resonates with me. The nature of our work is complex at the best of times, but COVID has added multiple additional lawyers of complexity. And all too often, the personal cost of families separated and living in an environment of endless uncertainty and separation can take its toll.

And the reason for choosing the last two decades is? A bit more casual empiricism: `The best source to answer it is the PNG Demographic and Health Surveys for 1996, 2006 and 2016–18'. I do hope there will be comparison with other countries when for so many in so many countries the period since the early 1970s is not one of major improvements in living standards. Why should conditions for the bulk of PNG's population be any different might be worth asking.

I am a migrant in Tatana and been living for nearly 11 years and agree with you on that ... the community in Tatana do not see a link between education and employment. If that link is defined well to give meaning to sustain and improve their well-being I believe it will be a powerful factor to harness and use association with business arm to involve the community to take ownership ... I am aiming to do that ...

Thank you Stephen for another insightful and accurate dive into the issues we confront. It's always important to see all sides of a story, especially one that has and continues to cause so much disruption and has a strong ripple effect throughout our cohorts. We as AE's and the AEA have long rallied all in power to fix the loopholes that drags these things out. Thank you also to Mark and Johnathon for providing valuable comment across the spectrum. From our side, as a major AE, we fully support strong governance and a strong cop on the beat who thoroughly investigates and deals decisively with proven issues. We AE's also often feel battered and bruised, probably never more so than in recent times. Maybe our mantra of the good and happy stories far, far outweighing those verified sad and injust acts has got a little lost.

Bula Steve.... Yes, I agree with your conclusion. Vili

Hi Gordon, I look forward to receiving your fortnightly news letter GMM

Extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Brij. We met and became friends at ANU. He was a true gentleman and indefatigable fighter for truth, justice and an unwavering voice against injustice. To his family, the Girmitiyas and all those who fought for justice and their rights in Fiji my deep condolences. Jhotis Singh Guyana.

The concerns raised through conversations that the author has shared is fairly typical for a lot of Pacifica people. The fact that the people see the need to vaccinate to be able to buy and sell, and to keep their jobs though is universal. The disappointing thing though is the use of the pejorative "anti-vax" narrative. I do not know about PNG's overall vaccination rate (for things like Measles, Polio, TB, etc) but what is being witnessed worldwide is not so much anti-vax but vax-hesitancy. Having been living and working alongside my Pacifica brothers and sisters (and being one by citizenship), I (we) are typically a skeptical bunch who smell a rat when being coerced into something. History and customs has established it that way. Nevertheless, Pacifica people do get vaccinated for a raft of tropical and other things, but just in this case, they are simply using their innate hesitancy.

Thanks so much, Graham! What a great little nugget of history. The Acripole sounds like a great setting for a Graham Greene story! Glad you enjoyed the piece; it's a wonderful book

Hi Mark, Thanks for your comment. My blog wasn't about the problem of absconding in general, but about applications for protection visas as a subset of that more general problem. Your suggestions will help with reducing the total number of absconding workers, but unless protection visa applications are processed more quickly, there will be a strong incentive for workers to apply for protection to get the multi-year, unrestricted working rights and Medicare that typically flow from such an application. We see this happening across the labour force, not only in the SWP and PLS. Even with borders closed, there are about 1,000 applications a month for asylum, with a grant rate of less than 10%, and much less for most nationalities. Regards, Stephen.

In my opinion this article has hit the nail on the head and finally some alternate view which is far closer to my experiences. What many media, politicians, members of the public don’t seem to understand is that a lot of seasonal worker see absconding as a general option to extend their stay in Australia. Throughout the years of working with seasonal workers I have been fortunate not to have too many experiences with absconding. However of the employees who have absconded most were poorly behaved outside of work, drinking alcohol excessively and had poor attendance. Two seasonal workers (employed through labour hire) were from Timor Leste and were returning workers of three years. When they were at my business they were employed on a five month placement each time and would work a minimum of 38 hours five to six days a week during this placement. When I got information that they were considering absconding I strongly discouraged them from doing so. At the time they informed that it would be better for them to claim asylum and be in Australia for five straight years rather then keep coming back and forth on individual placements. I also had two Solomon Island workers this season abscond within two days of arriving in Australia. This was before they even stepped one foot on my business. Another year I had 14 Vanuatu workers employed under labour hire all abscond during our harvesting season. At this time, which was before COVID 19, they were averaging nothing short of 45 hours per week, hourly paid work. Each one of the workers failed to turn up to work on a regular basis. When they did, they strongly smelt of alcohol. Finally before they absconded they smashed up their accommodation. It is all too easy just to continually blame the farmer for seasonal workers bad behaviour and absconding. It must be noted that many seasonal workers entered the country with bad and selfish intentions. Until the Australian government closers this massive loop hole of handing out bridging visas for protection with work rights the problem will only increase not decrease, particularly when the new agri visa comes into action. Like i said earlier my experiences for most part in the program have been massively positive. I now have a core group of seasonal workers who are highly trained and skilled employees. Each have used the money earned from their hard work to build houses and start business in their own country. I am a huge believer in the program and proud to be part of it. However I fear that if this growing problem is not fixed the program is doomed. This is the sad and honest truth.