Comments

Dear Mr Singirok, Thank you very much for your response and for engaging with my academic analysis of your book. Please understand my commentary was not intended as a personal attack, although I can understand why you might feel strongly about the issues. I am sure, we both agree that an open dialogue on issues relating to our country, we both know and love, is important and should be encouraged. It is my duty as an academic to engage in analysis of important topics, such as those engaged in by your book. These are issues on which reasonable people might disagree, but that should not be a reason not to discuss them. Kind regards, Henry Ivarature BA Hons 1st Class (Political Science), UPNG (1988) MA (Public Administration), Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand (1991) PhD (Sociology), Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand (1994)

🤞Let's hope and pray for the end of July. Because it has to come as a give and take for both Australia and its Pacific neighbor. It may have Pros and Cons which needs careful reconsideration. Looking forward 👌 Thank tumas for this article 🙏

Really looking forward to the passing of this bill in the Australian senate. With the youth bulge in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific it is a great opportunity to be permanent residents of Australia and contributing to our home countries in terms of remittances. Can't wait to apply for the lottery.

Malo le soifua maua male lagi e mama Melesisea Leasiolagi Malama, Fa'afetai lava for three excellent blogs drawn from your keynote presentation at the recent Pacific Update 2023 conference in Suva. Your insightful comments on the impact labour mobility schemes are having on Samoa's families, communities, businesses and wider economy are greatly appreciated. Many of the concerns that Samoa's current government have about temporary labour migration in Australia and New Zealand are surfacing in Tonga and Vanuatu as well -- the other two countries that have been primary sources of temporary labour for primary sector industries and enterprises overseas. Your reflections on the challenges facing the operation of temporary labour migration schemes in Samoa will be very helpful for those currently involved in reviewing policies relating to labour supply in their own countries, as well as those in New Zealand and Australia who are reviewing policies relating to the operation of the RSE and PALM schemes. Fa'afetai lava.

Hi Joyce, as the blog says, the PEV has not yet been legislated – but you can go to the Australian Government website for further information on eligibility, etc: https://www.dfat.gov.au/pacific-engagement-visa

This will benefit both sides not only for the Pacific Islanders but to the Australian economic as well.

I Joyce from PNG, I think this the great opportunity for me to work and live in Australia ... I'm in Bowen Queensland working in Rugby Farm ... Hired by Rugby Farm under permanent employment 2 years visa ... I'm very interested to apply for PR through Pacific Engagement visa so please may I have the link or how can I can I apply??

The proposed PEV Bill must be endorsed and passed by both side of the Australian Parliament if Australia's commitment in supporting its Pacific neighbors is to be seen as more meaningful and in the spirit of mutual benefit. PEV would be the first ever visa category that would give greater opportunity and easy access for the Pacific Islanders, especially those who are less represented under PALM visa and with larger population to live and work in Australian . If the Visa application by Lottery works in New Zeeland, it would definitely work in Australia. Why not try it out and see if it works well or not? I therefore fully support and urge for the PEV Bill to be passed.

The concept is a step in the right direction, mutually beneficial to both Australia and the Pacific, and will greatly enhance Australia's ongoing commitment to the Pacific. Hoping for the best to happen, soon. tenk yu

Thank you Nelson, both for your other comment and for this one. I agree with you entirely. Better monitoring of how DSIP funds are spent would be a real and meaningful governance improvement. Thanks again Terence

Political economy narrative of development clearly indicate anecdotal experience that international financial institutions solution package may not necessarily solve structural problems in developing economies. Developing countries tend to suffer more from systemic dependency trap caused by weak political institutions and policy and legislative regime. Political governance must be the engine turbine to whirlwind the economy. In part, capitalist prescription of laissez-faire may seem a promising package for some countries with stable political and policy regimes. The undisputable fact remains yet that power complexity determines economic outcomes. That is politics tend to influence market forces more than the opposite force. We must learn from political economy stories of international financial institutions and their impact on developing countries. Fiscal and monetary policy regime change must consider our economic competitive advantage and comparative advantage. Monetary policy shift in currency devaluation depends on our economic capability and quality governance institutions. Without strong export-base market, devaluation of currency may have negative effects on social wellbeing. As an import-dependent economy, we expect inflationary reaction as price of goods increases with weak purchasing power. The economy at this time lacks import substitutes to sustain demand for basic goods. Currency devaluation as a structural adjustment to the economy should be treated with caution.

Hoping for the best ...