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I'm interested.

Thanks for the comments. Peter, in response to your question about how the Act applies - I imagine that DFAT can be in compliance with this by undertaking the existing monitoring and evaluation steps that it does. The problem is that these are focused on ensuring effective use of taxpayer money for a particular intervention - and not on learning in aggregate about 'what works' (and what does not) in supporting developmental change across DFAT's portfolio. This latter question to my mind has the much bigger 'value for money' pay off but does not neatly fit compliance demands as per any laws and policies. It requires us, therefore, to have an interest (and make an investment) in learning that goes beyond the minimum required but potentially with a big pay off.

Thanks for publishing. As a PS: how do Sections 38 and 39 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 apply to our aid budget. More especially to Section 38 that applies to DFAT (too): 38 Measuring and assessing performance of Commonwealth entities (1) The accountable authority of a Commonwealth entity must measure and assess the performance of the entity in achieving its purposes. (2) The measurement and assessment must comply with any requirements prescribed by the rules. 39 Annual performance statements for Commonwealth entities (1) The accountable authority of a Commonwealth entity must: (a) prepare annual performance statements for the entity as soon as practicable after the end of each reporting period for the entity; and (b) include a copy of the annual performance statements in the entity’s annual report that is tabled in the Parliament. Note: See section 46 for the annual report. (2) The annual performance statements must: (a) provide information about the entity’s performance in achieving its purposes; and (b) comply with any requirements prescribed by the rules.

Thanks for the very interesting story of such a successful person PNG employees did actually benefited from to a stage. His knowledge and skills is something that a lot will still talk about. We need more of such innovative and knowledgeable person as such. Love everything I'm reading about Late John Paska. What a good man he was.

So: comments on these comments by PNG's Minister for National Planning Ano Pala : https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-20/png-minister-warns-australian-aid-may-be-wasted/104373828 "The ongoing discussions surrounding boomerang aid and concerns about funds being switched, withheld in Canberra and absorbed by Australian management contractors and consultants, emphasises the importance of ensuring tangible outcomes for the PNG citizens." Mr Pala asked Australia to "allocate resources that directly benefit the community, rather than focusing primarily on sectors that incur high administrative and consultation costs".

The Panguna lawsuit raises concerns about justice and profit. While aiming to compensate locals for environmental damage, critics fear the involvement of anonymous investors could prioritize financial gain, jeopardize unity, and hinder Bougainville’s independence efforts.

Pacific students have taken remote studies in Australian universities and are sponsored by the Australian Government. That lot doesn't need visas and is missed from this analysis.

Dear John, Good evening. Thank you for acknowledging the Tribute of John Paska. He was truly remarkable, and it's a pity you didn't have the chance to meet him. In response to your question, you are indeed correct. I overlooked Bill Kelty, who also advocated for the PNGTUC in the second wage sitting of the three sittings the Board/Tribunal had in 1974. His then-colleague Bob Hawke represented the peak union in the final/third sitting of the year. Hawke’s presence added significant influence and credibility to the workers' case, as he pushed for higher wage standards and improved working conditions. Earlier in the second sitting, Kelty advocated for potential wage increases and the economic impact of setting a national minimum wage. Employers were more resistant to significant wage hikes, citing costs and economic stability concerns. The first minimum wage sitting in 1974 was primarily introductory and laid the groundwork for wage determination in PNG. The Minimum Wages Board examined economic conditions, labour market data, and wage disparities between expatriate and local workers. The wage determination in 1974 was a historic moment for PNG, as it set the foundation for labour standards just before the country's independence in 1975. The presence of influential labour leaders like Bob Hawke and Bill Kelty was critical in ensuring a fair outcome for PNG workers, aligning wages more closely with their needs and living conditions. I'm sorry; I’m providing a wage fixation history here. However, it had to be done to highlight the separate periods when ACTU advocacy became readily available, particularly in 1974, to support its PNG counterpart. That was the year when the wage fixation machinery was put together for the first time before the country's independence, and the first deliberations also occurred simultaneously.

Thanks for this interesting piece, Ben. I enjoyed hearing about John Paska, whom I never met. One point, though concerns Bob Hawke: you say that 'Bob Hawke (in his trade union leader role before becoming Australia’s prime minister) advocated for the PNGTUC in the 1970s wage tribunals'. That may be so, but if you mean he came to PNG as an advocate for the cause, I'm not sure that's correct. I do recall that Bill Kelty, a distinguished Australian trade unionist, came to Port Moresby for the 1974 minimum wage hearings (and of course he was a close collaborator and comrade of Hawke). Is it possible you're confusing one with the other? Anyway, thanks for the post!

Hello Natasha, I think your article with Prof Howes touches upon a bigger picture that runs deeper than seasonal employment opportunity. I refer to the Papua New Guinea Governor General, Sir Bob Dadae’s 49th independence address to the nation (https://www.postcourier.com.pg/gg-initiates-reality-check-for-nation/) in which he is reported by the Post Courier, to have said, “It is utterly disheartening to read in the dailies and see in the electronic media, almost every day, the total chaos, mayhem and madness in every province and communities of our country.” I cannot remember seeing such a direct and forthright statement to the ruling elite from such a prominent person before. His words by the norms of PNG protocol represents an earthquake. With a population of 11 or maybe 13 million people, I believe Papua New Guinea is where Australia’s focus should be. Building genuine trust and opening up civil society and nation building opportunities for PNG citizens in Australia and New Zealand has become critical. Sir Bob also said, “We need to transform our economy to create economic opportunities and empower our rural economies.” He is right. In relation to this I believe we need a quantum shift in focus from primarily institutional strengthening towards community economic empowerment and tailoring some of our markets to facilitate the undoubted opportunities that exist here. The notion that with more assistance PNG government mechanisms will deliver has proved at best to be a misnomer, for many a disaster and the many can tell you why. Given the cultural diversity (hyper regionalism) and the results of the first half century I believe there is a compelling argument to focus more support directly on civil society entities and local solutions. Enable them to participate in appropriate economic activity and service delivery. I fear that a failure to make a step change towards these goals will result in the further erosion of social cohesion, increase inequity and the fragility of the nation. I am convinced that with larger players now peddling alternative visions and wooing willing listeners the time to build greater trust and act on what the PNG population has been telling us, is now. Tai Nani

Cooking reduces or destroys mycotoxins in sago. Just like what happens to other foods when cooked. What the paper suggests is that people who depend on sago should improve its production, storage, and cooking to minimize or eliminate any mycotoxins. The Applied Technology Institute at the University of Technology in Lae and the MRI should take lead in this space.

Hi, my name is Wendy Jimmy and I'm interested in the program if it is possible for you to reach out to the villages in West Kerema, Gulf Province , specifically Bainuru, Kikori and Ihu districts.