Comments

Thanks for this post Terence. I think there is more to be said about the role of Forum Solomon Islands International. This started as a Facebook group but has developed in a relatively short space of time into something that is more like a 'real world' advocacy organisation/NGO. Its trajectory is interesting for a couple of reasons (in fact there are probably others). One is that it has acquired a significant level of domestic traction as demonstrated by the fact that PM Sogavare met with the leadership of this group in order to receive from them their 10-point policy wish list, which was crowd-sourced from the wider membership. The other point of interest is how this grouping has developed as compared with others that had a similar genesis such as Yumi Toktok Stret in Vanuatu and Sharp Talk in PNG.

"Perhaps now the State of PNG itself is in a State of Emergency". I am frightened by this conclusion at the bottom of the blog. Both of us see the same gloomy picture (you from Australia and me from PNG). I am praying that the oil price picks up soon. Thanks.

Interesting article. A more in-depth analysis on the reasons why overseas (seafarer and RSE) employment has declined would assist in developing the most suitable types of overseas employment opportunities. For example Vanuatu has increased RSE places because the type of work suits the Ni-Vanuatu who go and they are good at it. Interesting point about caring for older people from David - it would be useful to identify this and other potential areas of employment opportunity for i-Kiribati and Tuvalu that work for them in order to present feasible solutions.

Colin you are commended for the very interesting article. The District Authority Bill gives almost absolute powers to the open MPs in each district but on the other hand it seeks to empower the local people to take ownership of their development aspirations. On paper it is very attractive and promises so much good for the long suffering rural populace. However, my first impression is the authority in terms of decision making and voting for authority resolutions favours the Open MP as there will compose 7-members on the Board (generally as many districts are allowed by law for 3 LLGs each) of which three are nominated by the MP, 3 heads of the LLGs and the MP. Surely the nominated members will always take sides with the MP - absolute power and meetings are gimmicks to window dress illegal decisions. The other thing that comes to mind is that with this new approach should come the public restructuring reform so that each district's ability to deliver and implement is strengthened. It should not happen as in the past where any person in the district administration was appointed as a LLG Manager without proper qualification and experience to manage the affairs of the LLG. This has resulted in lack of proper development planning at ward and LLG level to communicate effectively to MPs to access some of the funds for the respective LLGs. Laws need to be worked on to safeguard the system. Rules need to be put in place whereby people abusing their roles and powers are dealt with appropriately and effectively. For instance an MP deemed to have misappropriated funds with overwhelming evidence should be refer to the police for criminal investigations rather than to Leadership Tribunal via those long processes. I would personally think that District Development Authorities is a way forward for the country and reiterate the PM's views. However, I am not party to his intentions implied but as I see and gather from public media and documents such as this.

Sophia, thanks for this contribution. I couldn't agree more with your assessment. One area that I have long felt required further exploration is the possibility of employment in the aged care sector. Many I-Kiribati and Tuvaluans in New Zealand do this work, and consider themselves extremely fortunate to have a job where they get to spend their days with the elderly, who hold a special place in both cultures. I-Kiribati and Tuvaluans (particularly the women) have a natural and cultural affinity for this kind of work, which is often shunned by Australians and New Zealanders. With ageing populations in both countries, there will be increasing demand for aged care workers, and I think that Kiribati and Tuvalu can help meet this demand. KANI was intended to go some way to satisfying demand, particularly in rural and regional Australia, but the numbers are small, and not every person working in aged care requires nursing training. I look forward to seeing more from the PCCM Project.

Dear Eddie, thanks for your comment. Averaged across Australians, donations to aid NGOs equal approximately $40 per person per year (see <a href="https://devpolicy.org/the-other-scale-up-australian-public-donations-for-development-over-the-last-decade-20130829/" rel="nofollow">here</a>) given that the average Australian <a href="http://www.news.com.au/finance/money/do-you-consider-yourself-a-struggling-comfortable-or-rich-australian/story-e6frfmcr-1226910189131" rel="nofollow">earns nearly</a> $60,000 40 dollars does not strike me as generous. Thanks for your comment about aid agencies needing to try and avoid "poverty porn". I agree that this is a good idea, and I hope that all people (regardless of religion) can be motivated to generosity without negative images, although I think we have a lot to learn about how to do this. Terence

I disagree with your statement that "Australians, like most people, are not generous givers..." Studies have shown that poorer people give more than wealthy people comparatively. I guess it needs to be defined what generosity looks like. Christians give not so much from the graphic images you have described but motivated by generosity. As Christians we recognise God's generosity to us and his blessings to us in a spiritual sense. This is the motivation for Christian giving and service. Christian agencies of all agencies should avoid the "poverty porn" which in used and remain true to a sense of promoting giving as a response of God's intervention in their own lives. Good blog and I will be posting to Facebook to share.

I predict Dame Meg Taylor will be appointed Secretary General of the PIFS. Oh hang on....

Thanks Chris for the suggestion. I read the ODI paper and I am not sure that I am persuaded. Of course the SDGs can just be a norm-setting exercise, but then I wonder what new they bring to international norms that is not already embodied in various international declarations, agreements, and laws. If ODI is right that this is the way to go, then much of the focus on setting goals and targets for the SDGs is misplaced as there is not much point in getting the rate of progress right, as the point is to simply reinforce the norms, and then allow diffuse mechanisms to pursue progress at whatever pace works best in the context.

Thanks Terrence, and hope you are doing well. Yes, this is a plausible way of setting poverty lines. But then the question is whether the poverty line is needed at all, if you are really interested in the outcome indicator. For the SDGs, your suggestion might suggest that for the various dimensions that will be measured in the post 2015 framework, the relevant inflection points should be sought out as benchmarks. But of course if these turn out to be 'high sufficiency' points, I might still argue in favor of focusing lower on the distributional curve. Best, Scott

Thank you Jonathan, this is raising an important issue. Of course the additionality question is important but we must not use this as an excuse for missing the leveraging opportunities that the German experience illustrates. I agree that there is some potential for this in the Pacific but I doubt there would be sufficient Australian private sector interest without some institutional support. However, in some of the Asian countries with large populations in Australia, together with some of the mining companies in Africa, this is an area with rich potential.

A great read! Thanks for your insights.