Comments

Thanks a lot Stephen. This and the previous articles provide really helpful analysis. The lesson from your analysis of the pattern of the large numbers of protection visa applications is to not jump to conclusions based on observed behaviour, but to dig further and really understand why people are acting the way they are. Let's hope for positive reforms that can keep PALM strong.

Free agency would most likely lead to instability in the program because the original sponsor would have little control over a worker just deciding on a whim to relocate to other work. Seasons typically start slow and ramp up to peak harvest then taper off towards the end. The huge up-front costs to employers would have more risk if a worker decides a few days of low hours (weather, crop related), would see them up and go. The solution that keeps being raised is to allow greater flexibility between Approved Employers to allow them to transfer workers. Currently this is only possible for labour hire but should be opened up to ALL AEs. A significant number of absconders run because the AE cannot transfer them to more work (even for a month or two) to account for a decrease in hours. Even when labour hire companies can transfer to another AE, they are met with weeks and weeks of red tape - making the transfer process time ineffiecient and not worth it. A simple way is to introduce a fast-track system, including reducing the market testing requirements and to have pre-approved accommodatons. We are after all, all for maximising a positive worker's experience and attending to their welfare. Stalling initiatives to allow inter-AE movement of workers appears to be detrimental to worker welfare. I wonder if this topic will come up at the Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting held in Brisbane this week? We watch with interest.

Dear Dr. ZHANG Denghua, Greetings from Shanghai China. I am a staff from the International Center for Teacher Education of ECNU where we deliver Chinese foreign aid degree programs for developing countries. I would like to know that whether Australia run such kind of degree programs in the country's universities?

It's inspiring to read about efforts that successfully averted an ecological catastrophe. It shows how collective action and proactive policies can restore fragile ecosystems and protect biodiversity. This story is a powerful reminder that with dedication and cooperation, it's possible to turn the tide and create a more sustainable future.

sorry for late response or reaction. reading your post blog help us know how and why we failed as a nation to develop. I just also want to highlight one cause on lack of economic development and distribution of resources in Sol. this is to do with the fact that about 80-90% of land is traditionally owned therefore, these land are locked up and untouched because of the problem of land dispute. unlike Australia, biggest portion of land is state owned. government has more say on development. Now, Honiara has experience over crowding in the only state owned land on the island of Guadalcanal. There is not enough space to do much, all available land are taken by foreigners through corrupt practices. the Honiara city is clearly unplanned. thus, very poor infrastructure services. The rural areas can't have good roads because of land disputes. the other thing is with the fast paced population growth of sol. a young population with lack of skills causing burden to the small urban area that offers services. push and pull is also in play. Cheers

Thank you Steven for this article. PALM workers applying for asylum is not healthy for the sending Pacific countries. These applicants need to be sent back to their countries as they have taken up places for many genuine hardworking Islanders who have no intention to seek asylum in Australia.

The findings from this research confirms the reality. It highlights the actual security risk situation in Port Moresby. This report is a very good tool for policy makers on law enforcement and legislation.

We must first appreciate that PNG is a price taker, I mean that most of the price controlled basic items are imported and have become a staple in both rural and urban areas. The ICCC had no interest in stretching its price control powers until Covid. Business back then relied on the imports and when they closed borders, they hiked prices up to 500% much to the detriment of the majority of its citizens. If we must encourage competition then price controls imported goods and encourage the production of locally produced substitutes. If price controls encourage local production them kudos to the ICCC.

Whilst appreciating your research paper, I support ICCC ammendments to price setting for one basic reason is that so much counterfeit products sold at 300 to 400 per cent (markup) in the street and restricted areas and ripped our PNG economy. This must be regulated. Secondly, the influx of foreigners migrated illegally into PNG is because of this uncontrolled attraction of micro-economics where foreigners taking over reserved activities designed and meant for PNG CITIZENS to participate and grow there SME. economy. Therefore, ICCC is doing the right thing to control and regulated which will not affect in any way because the fake goods and counterfeit products will continue to flood this country. PNG as a Nation will control and set prices and regulate it to ensure PNG survives in this one-sided ripping off from fair competition.

I need your team to come down to my remote place of Madang Province, which is Aindai ward, one of Gama LLG Usino Bundi District, Madang, for addressing our community state of development policies.

Very informative article, Stephen. It is disheartening to read that many PALM workers are applying for asylum, most of which are bogus. I hope that their cases are swiftly dealt with and then deported forthwith! The PALM scheme was never meant for this. There are more deserving Pacific Islanders who genuinely want to get on the PALM scheme to make a difference to their families with the income they earn.

I came across a similar situation involving a mother who her community accused of sorcery. She lived in fear and isolated herself after being blamed for an infant's death, resulting in severe injuries from a coffee tree branch. Despite her efforts to sell goods at the market to support her children, she struggled to earn an income as customers avoided her. During an Adult Literacy Teachers Training programme run by the Baptist Union of PNG in Mt Hagen, funded by the Australian Government, she learned about the importance of community engagement and participated in a group exercise called "power walk." After the training, she returned to her village to advocate for adult literacy classes, encouraging the accused woman to join, believing literacy and skills in hygiene and financial management would benefit her. In class, she introduced the power walk exercise, which revealed the isolation felt by the accused woman. Sharing her own story of hardship, the victim began attending classes regularly and engaged in community activities, including church events. As she practiced healthy living and connected with her classmates, community and church leaders also supported her. Over time, the community's perception of her shifted. She gradually regained acceptance, with people coming to buy her goods at the market and visiting her home. This change highlighted the community's previous misconceptions about her being a sorceress. During my monitoring visit as the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Officer for the Baptist Union of PNG, I learned the importance of identifying and supporting those accused in the community before tragedy strikes. We must advocate for open dialogue and involve survivors in community advocacy. It is ineffective to rely solely on organisations or CSOs that intervene only when someone is at risk of harm. Instead, we should focus on engaging accused individuals with their communities and addressing the root causes of the accusations. In the Highlands, marginalised individuals—often malnourished, from poor families or with visible illnesses—are frequently targeted. Women from polygamous families or those belonging to historically rival tribes are also vulnerable. Identifying these individuals and working to change community mindsets is essential. This insight emerged during my interview with the survivor and reflects broader patterns I observed.