Comments

As a P.S to the above, I've now had a chance to read Masood Ahmed's thoughtful 2024 Mitchell Oration and note this significant qualifier somewhat hidden away in his address: https://devpolicy.org/development-cooperation-in-a-contested-world-20241206/ "Third, development assistance providers must rebuild domestic support through frank discussions about both moral imperatives and self-interest in addressing global challenges. " Governments of all persuasions struggle with sufficient tax collections to satisfy voters' domestic preferences and demands in straitened times. Not least of all - during the many years of Australia's foreign aid programs. In my decades of experience with persuading Governments that targeting our aid to reduce overseas poverty is "a good thing", I suggest that this would have been made easier by the respective Minister of the time making regular announcements on the results from our aid dollars. Thus having those frank discussions to gain that domestic support for the poorest of the world's poor and help to reverse that "shift in many wealthy nations toward inward-focused policies."

Is it possible to provide a breakdown into people who are fully of Pacific Islander heritage and people who are just partially of Pacific Islander ancestry, mixed with other ethnic groups?

Thank you, Minister. Especially for this worthwhile comment: "Put simply, the portal will show what we’re spending, where it’s being spent, and importantly, what it’s achieving." That third element in our program "what it's achieving" is extremely important. Does this have anything to with Treasury's welcome initiative, the Australian Centre for Evaluation being utilised now by DFAT? I used to teach a course for 3 years to students at the University of Papua New Guinea: "Policy Monitoring and Evaluation" between 2021 and 2023. Those three elements are the essence of effective govenment that can demonstrate delivering effective programs to citizens. Can I therefore ask that you proceed beyond the relative passivity of such an information portal and take pride in making public Ministerial announcements of the demonstrated achievements from our aid program ? I cannot remember any government Minister, Foreign or Development Assistance, telling the Australian people what has been achieved in reducing world poverty. On the contrary, there are continuing elements of Australian society who advocate ending aid until Australian poverty has been eliminated. According to the World Bank: "8.5 percent of the global population – almost 700 million people – live today on less than (US) $2.15 per day, the extreme poverty line for low-income countries. Three-quarters of all people in extreme poverty live in Sub-Saharan Africa or in fragile and conflict-affected countries. 44 percent of the global population – around 3.5 billion people – live today on less than (US) $6.85 per day," (Source: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/poverty/overview). Much can be done in addressing the Australian people by Ministers, to say how and where - over the long-term of decades - Australia has played its part in reducing those poverty levels and improving the lives of those people. Our aid and tax dollars save lives.

Hi Natasha we also applied and still waiting for an email. Does it mean we should apply again for the 2nd round?

This article is very informative. I am interested.

When will be the next registration for PNG regarding the PEV?

Thank you, Natasha.

If you did not receive a "notification of selection" inviting you to apply for the PEV, then you are unsuccessful in this round. Please continue to follow the official PEV Facebook page that will announce when application open for 2025.

Hi Kalau, For the benefit of others who have either been selected or know others who have been selected, I'll respond in this thread first. Short answer, is – yes. Draft a cover letter explaining your situation and that you require more time. Upload that letter into your immi account with evidence to support your request before you submit. While the Immigration website has conflicting information about next steps and what docs are required prior to submission, the updated notice is “only passport information for you and any dependents is required at the time of submission”. Other supporting docs, that can also include health assessment can be uploaded "at a later date" provided you show evidence for the delay. See Immigration website: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/subclass-pacific-engagement-visa-192

Hi Elvis, DevPol developed a factsheet for the 2024 PEV round. You can visit this link below that also provides a list of official Australian Government websites that you can refer too. https://devpolicy.org/pacific-engagement-visa-factsheet-2024/ It is an annual ballot, so registrations will open up again next year.

Thank you Natasha, good work on this program as well.

An interesting piece. I fully support the call for reforms within the legislature. This is a long overdue call that I always believe will effectively enhance the work of the legislature.