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From Micky on PNG: the hungry country
Pretty bold article. Is the intent to make government realise the situation (which they already know as they would have the survey results) or to agitate the people of PNG.
Anyways, good work.
From Kathleen Mabon on We’ve won! We’ve lost!
Wow, this is wonderful and so powerful. Love the poems.
From Bruce Highfield on ASEAN ag visa makes no sense
The SWP is excellent and is the backbone of our ag industry. The assumption is that the Pacific nations have an endless supply of people of the necessary capability seeking to work in the Australian agri sector. Surprisingly we are finding that demand is out stripping supply.
It is natural to assume that with 7.5 billion people on the planet Australian industry would have no issues attracting people to work in the agri industry, it would be foolish to think otherwise. One needs to stop and assess why do growers who face jail time for underpay of wages in both Vic and QLD seek an extension to the VISA program. Perhaps demand and supply rather than undercutting and exploitation could provide an alternative conversation.
From Najeeb on Peace and the pandemic: the impact of COVID-19 on conflict in Asia
It's been over a year and we are still going through this rough patch. We saw how USA distanced itself from taking the lead to cover up poor countries. On the other hand, China is clearly head and shoulder above others in providing help even in South America. Is there any chance of birth of new WORLD ORDER or change in the dynamics of WORLD POLITICS? If you can guide in this manner? With suggestion of any book, articles?
From Philip Young on The time for bamboo is now: how ready is Timor-Leste?
Hello - do you have any reports on the financial viability of process and selling bamboo-based products in Timor-Leste? Many thanks
From Uday Prasad on A promising path to improve sustainability of water treatment systems
Thanks for writing a blog on water treatment systems and emerging technologies!
Information on Capacitive Deionization (CDI) has been useful and also the road map for selection of new technologies.
An another study highlighting the cost comparison between CDI and Reverse Osmosis (RO) found the material costs for CDI processes being the largest component and hence, the technology unlikely to be cost-effective sometimes.
(Ref: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsestengg.0c00094#)
I agree, certain benefits and challenges come with every technology.
From Adrian Rollins on Foreign workers on Australian farms: not if but how
A good overview Stephen and your analysis makes sense. COVID-19, and in particular the Delta variant, could put an interesting spin on things. The struggles several ASEAN countries are having with the latest wave of outbreaks could increase the attractiveness of some Pacific nations as a source of agricultural workers. One thing is certain, as you rightly point out - in future, Australia's dependence on labour from offshore will only increase. People need to get used to that idea and governments need to undertake effective preparations.
From Gigil Marme on University drinking: student views
Well said Albert, I agree with your comments on the strategies to address this global issue. As a public health practitioner, I agree that a combination of both punitive and health education strategies provides ideal options for addressing this issue. Yes, policies such as zero tolerance to alcohol are good to regulate individuals' behavior. At the same time, providing adequate information about the long term effects of drinking will shape their knowledge and regulate their behavior in the long term. A very good research for university administrators to consider.
From Pramodh Rai on Second wave of COVID-19 cases shakes up Fiji
I read through your text. The situation now is quite critical than the report you wrote in May. I hope people with a bit of backyard and farm are encouraged to use every bit of their area to plant vegetables, fruits and any other crops they can. This will keep them engaged in something productive, at the same time avoid boredom and provide self isolation. Since Covid 19 was first traced in Sydney and working from home was introduced our family, including Pranish who had some back yard, started planting, harvesting and cooking his own garden produce. We had always been doing that but we started planting more. We had abundance of vegetables which we shared with our neighbours, and they in turn passed to us their surplus. I was shocked to see during my many visits that people with acreage hardly had vegetables, fruit trees or root crops. Instead they were spending considerable time on TV. I thinks it is time for people to go back to basics and save enough money, crop harvest for "rainy days". God Bless Fiji.
From Vola Matas on We start bright eyed