Comments

Kim I totally agree that there is no point waiting for Australia if Fiji was disease-free first. And they need this access more than Australia. On paper it seems that New Zealand and Australia have sky high tourist arrivals but so many of those are actually what they call family and friends. Either way tourists coming from Australia and New Zealand would have access to way more of the main island and even the other islands than those in the Nadi bubble. Most of all this would give Fij i a lifeline nowand a chance to control their own destiny instead of waiting for New Zealand and Australia to decide for them. And because Australia has not conquered covid yet and because New Zealand has said they would make the bubble with Australia first and then start looking at other islands, we may be looking at next year before Fiji has a chance to have a bubble with anyone. If New Zealand isn't willing to do this immediately then Fiji should look to any other country(ies). This may also force New Zealand's hand so they stop delaying and make a deal with Fiji now as they're both disease-free. Why wait?

But the vast majority of tourists to Fiji are Australian and New Zealanders, so it would make much more sense to push for that bubble first. I’m not sure why a NZ/Fiji bubble couldn’t happen now? And Australia can join when they’re ready. Plus the idea that resort staff have to be separated from their family’s and live in a cordoned off area seems a bit sad for the locals.

This survey shows the opportunities for students to develop their skills right from the first semester of their graduate studies. As it is an eye opener for our students to start practicing skills like communication, presentation, statistical reporting, economic analysis etc. for their better employment and high standard of living. We sincerely appreciate the team conducted this survey and studies. Please include our students also for economic surveys conducted in future. Thanks and Regards Dr. Pious Thomas

Thank you Michael, yes I think many schools in PNG will find very hard to complete the units because of the time has been lost due to COVID-19.

Your welcome Dr Amenda Watson.

I don't see waiting for immigration as an illusion, but perhaps it can't be the only solution. Your point is well-taken. That said, I think the version of charter cities that requires a "guarantor" is just unlikely to work. Perhaps more special economic zones, etc?

Thanks for this interesting piece Mr Pundu. It is valuable to have a sense of what is happening in schools in Port Moresby and other parts of the country. Thank you again, Dr Amanda H A Watson

Great job Joseph. A related article by NRI few weeks back suggested that some schools in PNG may not complete the units, and have to repeat next year if they have to follow physical distancing like how you describe here.

Yes, I agree with you

This is truly an informative post Stephen especially that Pacific countries should not be opening in a hurry since there are still a number of countries with a lot of cases. The sooner the vaccine is made the faster the economies will recover.

In the end, its all about numbers: (i) how many people in poor countries seek for a better life, (ii) how many years can they wait for the situation to improve, (iii) what reasonable immigration capacity could the rich countries offer? I do not claim that the following numbers are hard facts, but probably they show the order of magnitude: As for (i), I would assume 1-2 billion people today, with another 1-2 billion coming from population growth mainly in Africa over the next 40 years. As for (ii), not many... and as for (iii), don't forget that North America, Australia/NZ and Western Europe host only in the range of 0.8 billion people. If we assume that they want to preserve the social structures, they may not accept more than 20% - 40% immigration from poor countries within 10 years. This would already stretch the political acceptance quite strongly I would assume. So the maximum short term immigration capacity may be in the range of 10% or less only. This is the reason why we definitly need other approaches to the justified need of the many poor poeple. Waiting for immigration into rich countries is just an illussion and can not meet the need.

Hi Joelson, my apologies. I didn’t mis-spell your name intentionally. Hope you understand that. I respect your opinion. My point is: everyone has their own interpretation of what’s right, but that’s not authoritative, because it’s a subjective reading of the law (especially from non-lawyers who have no training in law). There are people who would be just as convinced as you that James Marape’s election is valid. The Supreme Court is the body recognised for dealing with constitutional matters. In these four issues I’ve discussed, there’s not clear authoritative ruling from the SC. All we have are opinions from both sides of the camps. And it’s not authoritative.