Comments

Well said Dan!

Thanks for reading and for your feedback, always much appreciated!

Hi Samson, New Caledonia isn't part of the SWP so I don't think that will work. Regards, Stephen.

Thanks for the recent comments. It's too bad that the problem as we analyzed it more than a year ago still persists. As we say in our post, SMLIS studies were carried out in the late 2000s. But they are only an input into the beneficiary determination process. According to the Oil and Gat Act (Section 168) the determination of local beneficiaries of PNG LNG royalties by the PNG Government should have been made before the Development Forum for the project was completed. But that means it should have been in 2009! Unfortunately, that part of the law was not complied with. I'm sure back then no-one would have thought that eight years later most of the determinations would still not have been made. Kicking the can down the road might have seen like a good idea at the time (to avoid project delay), but in retrospect it seems like a huge mistake. Back in 2009, there were no court challenges. And no build up of expectations. How this issue will be resolved now is not at all easy to see.

HI John, Thanks a lot for your comment. We'd love to hear more about your experience at Childers. Regards, Stephen

Great predicament for 2018 coming ahead. Looking forward to read more of TNC articles and hopefully contributed to the comments and policy drifts in the region this year.

Hi everyone, Happy new year, 2018. I am originally from Vanuatu, residing in New Caledonia. I was wondering, to whom I may direct my questions regarding creating an SWP agency here in New Caledonia. I will be grateful for a guide. Tnks in advance, Samson.

Thanks for the comment. But I think you missed my point. First, in the broader scheme of things, the AIIB is less than 1% of Asia's financings; small by any measure. And what do the provide that the capital markets or their much bigger and lond standing Chinese brethren can not. I do recognize their existence. As for the BRICS Bank, I fail to see their purpose. Why would one underdeveloped country want to lend to another? Again, what can they do that the capital markets cannot?

Thanks for the comment. But I think you missed my point. First, in the broader scheme of things, the AIIB is less than 1% of Asia's financings; small by any measure. And what do the provide that the capital markets or their much bigger and lond standing Chinese brethren can not. I do recognize their existence. As for the BRICS Bank, I fail to see their purpose. Why would one underdeveloped country want to lend to another? Again, what can they do that the capital markets cannot?

Stephen and Sachini, Thank you for the discussions on SWP. Firstly, this I think is a government to government program but what is the purpose for the SWP? If there was a reason for the SWP, the monitoring and evaluation of the program will confirm whether the objective of the program has been achieved and areas for improvement will be identified. I guess this is important Program for building good relationship between pacific island countries and Australia. One way to help Papua New Guinea instead of providing government with Aid funding, it would be good to provide employment for Papua New Guineans through the SWP and reduce Australian Aid to PNG Government. I have done fruit picking worked at Childers, Queensland and benefits are great and inter alia, this is real people to people relationship building and can help countries grown strong.

and I am pleased (and relieved) to announce that the Solomons female participation in the SWP has risen this financial year with Gracekate Farms employing 2 female workers in the group!! Thankyou for the article, we and our seasonal workers found it a very informative read. cheers Kerry

Agree Mark, The systems have failed and the courts and the regulators have taken over the role of Exxon Mobil as per Section 47 of Oil & Gas Act and it seems that truth and honour don't always win.