Comments

Well done Minetta

Hello Ian and Stephen. With reference to the histogram, is that Ware or Angel Falls between Pakistan and PNG. And for that matter Vanuatu, Solomon Is. and PNG. In practical terms it may as well be Angel Falls. The graphic should grab the attention of aid planners. PNG is the population behemoth in the Pacific region and the graphic indicates UHC is around thirty percent. If the true extent of the UHC definition were applied, real coverage would probably be less than twenty percent. The mounting frustration of people all over PNG at the lack of opportunity and failure of successive governments to deliver even the most basic services is building like a tsunami. The recent riots in Port Moresby and Lae were symptomatic of a lack of UHC and other problems as well. Surely, this in the largest recipient of Australian aid should tell us something. For almost fifty years Australian assistance has focussed on “strengthening and capacity building” the systems. A system that has failed its customers most noticeably from district level down. Why? A reflection generally prompts a response about a lack of funds for infrastructure assets, transport and human resources - all true. But if by some magic these deficiencies evaporated today, I have a feeling little would change. Because the “system” was and remains culturally inappropriate at the community interface. It has always struck me how vociferous rural communities get when the topic of basic services is raised. Not just about the absence of health or education but from their perspective, how inappropriate the public servants are. To paraphrase their message, “don’t send someone we don’t know or trust to do things on our land, to our children, our mothers, our babies. Give our young people the training we need to do these things for ourselves.” This message has one thing in common with UHC: the U part. So, in light of the riots and chaos that should act as a warning and a UHC statistic that flags an ongoing and unnecessary tragedy on Australia’s doorstep, can we step back from the “same ol same ol”, listen to what eighty five percent of PNG’s population tell us (which unsurprisingly is different from what you hear in Waigani) and focus more attention on that.

Will the kina be stronger once more if we start growing agriculture? My opinion is yes, because most of our revenue is spent on imports and we're exporting less. Especially food.

Good analysis, Minetta! PNG is actually the country with the highest rate of intimate partner violence in the world; PNG ranks first, followed by Afghanistan and other fragile, war-torn African states (Link 1). Statistics show that a woman is beaten every 30 seconds in PNG (Link 2 below). (1) https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2021/11/24/how-domestic-violence-is-a-threat-to-economic-development (2) https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/papua-new-guinea-women-share-experiences-of-domestic-violence/102092566

when will this visa commence?

Thank you Michael for this well-laid-out explanation of the processes involved in motion of no confidence. This is good information for public awareness as we embrace possible VoNC in February this year, 2024.

The feeling of insecurity has resulted in using the name of our creator and pledges of huge development fund to our MPs and Governors, which have the potential to lure them to stick with JM. However, inflation, unemployment, high Debt ratio, Law and Order issues are affecting us to a degree where it needs immediate remedy. Thanks

Sorry Gerard, I don't know why, but I didn't receive the usual email that notifies me when someone comments on one of my posts. I don't know if it explains the entire relationship, but your comment makes a lot of sense, and it's something I hadn't thought of. Thank you for sharing the insight. Terence

Pacific islanders living in australia on other visa sub classes will be eligible to apply!

Great article. One question is how much gold is still there, yet to be mined? Ten years is too long for zero returns.... There are too many regulators and authorities in the resource sector and none of them got it right, rather than taking the easy way out in shutting the mine for some 3 years .... I won't be surprised if the developer leaves in 10 years time due to low prospects (the mine just resumed this month BTW).

When will the new visa be available to apply for? Will it be possible for Pacific Islanders already living here in Australia to apply?

A balanced keynote; the parallel with social media is an interesting one. Couple comments: > particularly jobs reliant on manual or routine tasks Routine yes, manual no. A graphic designer is more threatened by recent AI advances than, say, a barista. Software engineers might be next, while manual workers have less to worry about, at least in the near future. > AI solutions are likely to exacerbate existing inequalities Yes, but AI can also level the playing field. For students, it can serve as a virtual tutor to support learning, when private tutors are unaffordable (https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/4/410). International development has a role to play in fostering positive uses of AI to reduce inequality.