Comments

Totally agree with Keni Naika. I was wondering, if there were any changes since this 2016 report. Would be interested to see. Comparing it to current (2021).

Thanks Nematullah and Emmanuel for exploring such an important question! The article opened with a reference to a 2018 Parliamentary question asked by then Shadow Treasurer, now Treasurer, the Hon. Ian Ling-Stuckey. Following is a new link to the question that was asked – this is done for reasons of public transparency as such questions are hard to access on the public record (and so I had to add it to my own website) http://pngeconomics.org/2021/02/pngs-descent-to-a-fragile-state-can-it-recover-again/. The question indicates the basis for the current Treasurer's claim that PNG had descended back to fragile state status in 2014 were World Bank and ADB indicators of “fragile situation” countries. The source materials and analysis were included in the question (which is provided to the PNG Parliament’s speaker) and are included in the link above. One particularly interesting element of the background analysis, arguably not explored fully in the Devpol analysis, is the dynamics of such a status. PNG had climbed out from being a "failed state" during the year’s 2007 to 2013. It then fell back into that failed state status by 2014. This was driven mainly by a fall in measures of economic management during the O’Neill years according to the analysis of the World Bank and ADB. Since 2020, the listing has been simplified. PNG is still in the listing as a “High Institutional and Social Fragility” country http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/888211594267968803/FCSList-FY21.pdf. Hopefully, improvements in economic management backed with continued friendly foreign support will allow for one of the positive scenarios in the Devpol analysis. [Disclaimer: The author currently works as Principal Economic Advisor to PNG’s Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey]

It's the very good action taken by the ATTORNEY General We are proud of the hero of Fiji

One Pacific sounds like a good idea, but I'd suggest that there is racism within and between some peoples of the Pacific States. Sharing the SG position between 'peoples' of the PIF is a way of respecting each other to overcome this. To build on our common heritage whilst recognising our distinct qualities.

Thanks Geejay, for this well balanced piece. Ours is a perception problem, coupled with poverty of opportunity. You clearly discussed some of the common perceptions which is more harmful than good, like 'yu man ya noken cry olsem meri na go boksenim em'. We have a moral responsibility to teach our children about empathy, love and care for fellow man. What happens on the streets are basically opportunist look for the weak to prey on, and unfortunately solo riders are mainly targeted. But when they are unlucky they become the 'prey'. I recalled this story, a taekwondo instructor was returning home after training and a bunch of boys attempted to hold him up and you can guess what happened to the boys? Way forward, in the interim, police to patrol common places and respond to incidents quick. Better still, do not travel alone! Sector response in Lae Metropolitan seems to bear better results with petty crimes going down, and similar approach must be adopted in other centers. Apart from training children, the government must create opportunities, in the long run, to capture potential talents which are wasted on the streets.

Thanks so much, Samantha! Agree 100% on rapid feedback loops - maybe they are so influential that we don't want to acknowledge them as such! Thanks so much for the support - next episode 'drops' tomorrow at 6am

Further to the Special Leaders' Retreat, the Forum Secretariat has been tasked to review the process by which the Secretary-General is selected/appointed. Hopefully this will lead to a bit more clarity and certainty next time around

Can we formalize the Gentleman,'s agreement and also legalise it. As it is now, a very typical Pacific way.

Thanks Chris, I agree. However, we can't trust the PNGEC's roll because of roll inflation which I've written about https://devpolicy.org/improving-the-roll-will-be-crucial-for-fair-elections-in-png-20200805/ And the PNGNID has been a failure. The census is hoped to provide a baseline that line agencies can use and work together to update - especially civil registry and immigration department. The DPLGA would carry this out at the ward level. A good baseline and a revamping of PNGNID would improve data collection in PNG.

Well said, Biman. It's hard to stay reasonable and focused when faced with such grossly partisan and immoral behaviour on the part of the government and some on USP Council. But, you managed it. USP, its students, staff, alumni, and especially, its mission mean so much to us both. USP deserves consistent, competent, visionary and moral leadership. Not too much to ask, surely.

Definitely interesting.

As Tess knows from her time as Deputy Director the Pacific Institute of Public Policy, PiPP raised both this issue and that of USP almost exactly 11 years ago and this was part of the reason for its demise. Once again we are witnessing the abject failure of antipodean statecraft. The main beneficiary from this split is China who no longer has to worry about Micronesian States aligned to the US and who recognize Taiwan. A few half-wits in Canberra will see leadership from the Cooks as a partial win until the US essentially consolidates the Micronesians in order to protect its turf and then turns its wrath on yet another failure by Australia and New Zealand in their backyard. pacificpolicy.org/2010/12/island-dreaming/