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this article is useful. could be generated in a daily newspaper article ❤️🙏

Terrific article Natasha. Excellent points: please dont stop making them!

Hi Natasha, thanks for this. I am wondering whether mismatch between the demand for skills from Australian labour market and the type of skills supplied by Papua New Guineans. Basis for this is that GDP Per working hour (2017 USD PPP) in Australia is 61.44, while the same metric for Papua New Guinea is 5.7.(1). This is a massive difference in labour productivity. Is there any consideration given to this earlier before people head off to the ballot box? Is there any specific sector outside working in farms and age care that skills for PNG can target and compete with labour in Australia's labour market? In addition to providing adequate time, PEV should provide subsidies to firms in Australia that recruit PNGeans and upskill them so that they meet industry demand in Australia. If left entirely to market forces, there is a risk that PNG-origin labour could struggle to compete for jobs in Australia's labour market due to this massive productivity differential. (1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_labour_productivity

Hi Natasha, How are other Pacific Island Country applicants in recent PEV round experiences in securing jobs in Australia under this scheme? Was there any data collected in your sample on other Pacific Island Country PEV applicants experiences in the process of securing Australian employers in comparison to PNG PEV applicants?

Thanks Artemy. The normalised Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), illustrated in Figure 2, is essentially calculated as the ratio of the difference between the sum of the squared shares of export and one divided by the number of sectors to the denominator, which is one minus one divided by the number of sectors in the economy contributing to export. So, in cases when the output shrinks, its captured in the first variable in the two differencing variables in the numerator of the index, so the total index falls when the number of sectors remains the same. That’s what happened to PNG. In 1997, the PNG economy experienced a significant downturn due to the combined impact of frost, the El Nino-induced drought, and the Asian Financial Crisis, which saw a 6.3 percent contraction in output consequently affecting shares to exports. That eases the concentration in the primary sector, creating the illusion that export concentration is diversifying. Any lessons? Reducing output to make the economy look more diversified is not something everyone will be happy to pursue.

Thanks Andy. Good to learn from them.

Agree with you, Thomas.

Thanks Mathew!

I worked with Tony on Lowering the Threshold in the 1990s. one of the most influential and wisest people that I met in over 40 years in the Pacific. Tony's work will leave a mark for many years to come.

Very sad to read of John Waiko’s passing. Thanks Keith Jackson for this beautifully researched and written tribute. In the 1970’s, at UPNG History Faculty we were following John's progress, excited by his PhD and looked forward to his return. Wonderful to read of how it all turned out: John Waiko’s extraordinary legacy in film and politics as well as details of his books and their contribution. Vale John Waiko.

@Stephen Howes, could you kindly advise when the first group of successful applicants who have met all requirements will travel to Australia? I am asking because employers who made job offers are expecting these awardees to commence employment promptly. Therefore, it would be ideal if individual applicants are assessed as soon as all documents are submitted, and their visas processed quickly.

Good article Kingtau. It is not rocket science to learn what you pointed out. It needs visionary leaders to drive the change. However, we can from Malaysia if we are to progress economically, socially and physically. Your article is much appreciated.