Comments

From Chris Gandi on NZ’s seasonal worker success: lessons for Australia
I appreciate this article because I was fortunate to work with a couple of farms in New Zealand and farmers have shared the same sentiments that during their peak seasons the existing domestic labour market is not always enough to satisfy their market requirements therefore the RSE program provides a much a very critical relief to an extent by meeting that shortage. As stated delivering on time with premium quality is always an important going concern for farmers for market demands both the export and local. Hence RSE is as critical to the New Zealand economy as it is to nations involved with New Zealand on the program. As a Papua New Guinean I would like to see my government proactively pursue and tap into this labour export market at ministerial level with the New Zealand government bilaterally through a similiar quota system like everyone else so we can mutually benefit from this. At this moment New Zealand has the most potential and willingness compared to Australia. Thank you.
From Tess Newton Cain on Nauru and the UPR: who said what and does it matter?
Liam Fox of Radio Australia provides a good footnote for this item <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-22/nauru-'notes'-contentious-criticisms-in-un-rights/7267814" rel="nofollow">here</a>.
From Garth Luke on Will gender equality promises be kept? Accountability and the 2030 Agenda
Thank you
From Bill Standish on Sir Julius Chan reviews a life in PNG politics
Forests policy has long been controversial. Chan introduced the 1971 Forestry (Private Dealings) Ordinance (later Act) which he mentions at p. 60. Critics argue that when combined with <a href="http://press.anu.edu.au/ssgm/policy_making/mobile_devices/ch11.html" rel="nofollow">ministerial approval</a> (see <a href="http://press.anu.edu.au/ssgm/policy_making/mobile_devices/ch11s02.html" rel="nofollow">this page</a>) the Act led to the widespread destruction of forests by unscrupulous members of the elite and foreign companies. It was only revoked forty years later, after the Barnett Forests Inquiry.
From Solo Joseph Kinne on The 2015 Papua New Guinea budget: a more detailed assessment
The government is spending millions of kina on unnecessary activities that are not actually helping the total population of the country. The government should be careful on the spending and save some money for the future. The government misappropriation leads to inflation and increase in school fees, taxes, rents, etc.
From Melissa Rothstein on Robyn Alders: saving chooks, empowering women
Great read and very glad to see this work highlighted! I second all the comments above that attest to Dr. Alders's work and her character. I worked with her briefly in Angola and the experience remains one of my greatest inspirations.
From Tess Newton Cain on Backpacker tax under review: implications for the Seasonal Worker Program
I agree that this review should provide an opportunity to enhance the position of the SWP and provide more opportunities for Pacific island workers who wish to pursue this option. However, it is important to ensure that necessary regulatory protections relating to welfare and prevention of exploitation are not stripped away in order to make it more palatable to Australian employers.
From Jo Spratt on Antipodean apathy on Syria continues
More reading: an excellent summary of why NZ should double its refugee quota in general, as well as what more NZ can do to assist in Syria. These are complex issues, and of course nobody wants to become a refugee, but the reality is that many people around the world cannot live safely in their home country. Until the international community rectifies that situation, NZ can easily share its peace with those who need sanctuary. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/77935806/Doubling-the-refugee-quota-is-just-the-start
From Marshall Malu on PNG growth – the measurement challenge
What is the current status of PNG economic growth? So far there has been cuts in the 2016 budget. Is there any change in the progress of economic growth?
From Tess Newton Cain on Vanuatu’s neglected international airport
That is a valid point but it implies that a failure in one system or one part of the system means that everything is flawed to the same degree and that is not the case in Vanuatu.
From Stephen Howes on Vanuatu’s neglected international airport
Hi Tess, Good that the advertising money hasn't been spent! My point relating to the cyclone was that if you call on donors to use your systems, you need to be able to demonstrate that those systems work, or at least that they don't fail spectacularly and in very important ways, as they have in the case of the runway. Regards, Stephen.
From Somali Cerise on Will gender equality promises be kept? Accountability and the 2030 Agenda
https://polisci.unm.edu/common/documents/htun_apsa-article.pdf MALA HTUN and S. LAUREL WELDON (2012). The Civic Origins of Progressive Policy Change: Combating Violence against Women in Global Perspective, 1975–2005. American Political Science Review,106, pp 548­569 doi:10.1017/ S0003055412000226
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