Comments

Hi Bruce, I'm looking forward to reading a future blog post on the views you have on this policy and the process of policy formation in PNG in general. Best Tony

Hi Lindy... great post, and it's lovely to hear that you have found rewarding work in Canberra since you left the TVET family! I hope all continues to go well for you. 🙂

Hi Bruce - thanks for your comment on Tony's post. I just want to let you and other readers know that we happily welcome submissions to the Devpolicy Blog. If you're interested in writing an article about PNG's proposed rice policy (or any other topic!), please take a look at our article guidelines <a href="https://devpolicy.org/join-us/">here</a>, and then send us your draft for review to devpolicy@anu.edu.au. Camilla (blog editor)

Does New Zealand offer better policy coherence in this area Stephen?

I can only support this policy based on food security reasons, job creation and import substitution and other relevant policies. Also climate change issues contribute to volatility of food security issues affecting PNG and other Pacific Island countries. I have following reasons that make this policy questionable on its face. First, the awarding of import quota to an international controversial figure in the likes of Tjandra already raises moral and ethical issues on the PNG Governments obligations in doing business with such person. Second, Tjandra will become the sole administration of the Rice quota, this is something must be administered by Department of Agriculture and not individual person, third, Tjandra will be exempted from different imported taxes on the rice he will be importing to come and sell in PNG. In the end, he imported the rice free of duty and then sells to PNG consumers by charging them GST. Fourth, the monopoly, as stated will result in significant rice price for ordinary PNGuineans to afford. In turn, this will make Tjandra to become rich whilst ordinary PNGUineans consumers become poorer of being denied access to this stable food, especially the people in urban centers. This would off course generate food security issues in urban and some rural populace. I can explain in detail on these issues if I am given change to write an article on this policy.

Thanks so much for sharing you experience Jane. Your comment "What kind of humanitarian professional can't travel anywhere?" really struck a cord with me. I think we're definitely too hard on ourselves sometimes though!

Thanks Sarah. Really, heartfelt thanks to you and the Australian Breastfeeding Association who have been an integral part of my journey as a breastfeeding development mum!

Thank you Tofail.

Thanks Abigail. Where there's a will there's a way!

Thanks Tony. Glad you liked it!

Great blog Lindy! It's been posted twice on my Facebook timeline ????

Yes, you are right Chris, the MP funds that we refer to are those funds which are discretionary to MP's