Comments

Thanks for sharing your story, Lindy. I love hearing how other women have negotiated the liminal space of motherhood & involvement in the development ‘industry’. I was actively discouraged from continuing my job with a large INGO when I started my family. I am now at the other end with 17, 14 & 11 year olds, and have returned to full time study to curate a re-entry into the profession because it never left me.

Hi Anthony, I am more than happy to do so. Best. Bruce

Dear Camila, I sincerely appreciate your feedback and aprroval of my brief comment on the Rice Policy. I will look at the guidlines and would draft somehting and forward to you for your consideration. Thanks. Bruce

Yes, it's a difficult issue. I criticized the <a href="https://devpolicy.org/parliamentary-inquiry-swp-two-passes-gesture-important-recommendation-20160617/">Parliamentary inquiry on the SWP</a> for not being clear on this ie only saying that the two programs should have consistent requirements, but not saying whether the testing should be expanded or abolished. But it is not easy to resolve. In my submission, I assume that the government won't give up labour market testing, and then I think it should also be applied to backpackers. But I agree with you, the best course of action would be just to give up on labour market testing, at least in horticulture.

Hi Garth, Certainly much more policy coherence than Australia. First, NZ introduced its SWP (the RSE) before reforming its backpacker visa. Second, if a backpacker works on a farm in NZ for three months, they can get another visa, but only for another three months not another year. Some 20% of backpackers coming to Australia end up staying on permanently. For them, the second-year visa is a crucial part of their migration strategy and so a very powerful incentive. A 3-month extension is nothing compared to this. I don’t have the exact numbers on backpackers in horticulture in NZ, but there are far fewer total backpackers in NZ than Australia (about a quarter), and far more seasonal workers in New Zealand (about twice as many). Stephen

The uneven application of labour market testing seems completely absurd. Surely it should just go.

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!