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The PLS and SWP workers deserve to be given permanent residency in Australia. They are not just there to work in Australian farmlands, but they are developing Australia's economy in the Agriculture sector. Even in times of disasters like bushfires and floods, they are helping a part of Australia through fundraising and evacuation as argued by Rochelle Lee-Bailey in her blog post on 17 January 2020. In other words, they are playing the roles of being humanitarians and farmers. The result of their hard work on farmlands are fresh produce, fruit, vegetables and wine that are on the shelves of the biggest shopping malls across Australia and some are imported in huge quantities by Pacific Island Countries. They give effect to Australian Foreign Policy in the Pacific especially on Trade thus they would do so in the future. Tongans being the rapidly growing group, as argued by Professor Howes, the number of other Pacific Islanders would increase in the future as well with an intention to contribute meaningfully to Australia's economy. The PLS and SWP workers want to live in Australia and be part of Australia and as the Timorese say, 'we would always go back and visit'. They want to be visitors to their Rai Doben - The beloved land. Remember, Barrack Obama, when he was still the president, 'visited' Kenya NOT as a Kenyan but as an American and that's exactly what those Timorese meant and I guess other Pacific Islanders would say the same thing. The SWP and PLS deserve permanent residency or citizenship which the policymakers in Australia need to consider.

Thanks Nicola for a provocative post. I think many of the problems you identify derive from the professionalization of adaptive management and its codification into a skill, sub-discipline, site of expertise, etc. But with regards to trying to tie adaptive management to real organisational processes, you may find this study on Sida risk management systems and the relationship they strike between accountability and flexibility of interest: https://www.odi.org/publications/11388-fit-fragility-exploration-risk-stakeholders-and-systems-inside-sida

Hi Robert, Thanks for your comment. The debate I'd like to see an end to is the high-level one about whether aid as some imagined lump of homogeneous matter "works or not". This was the stuff of the polemics of the early millennium. You can still find remnants. Aid is no one thing, it's numerous projects and programmes. We can ask individually whether these worked or not. But better still to learn when aid works, what types of aid work best, and why. That's what I'm in favour of. Terence

Terence, you pose the question: 'Does aid work?' You then go on to declare that: 'The debate should be over. Both sides were wrong. Sometimes aid fails. Sometimes it works. I hope the debate is over.' Your repeated assertion that the debate should be over is surprising, not only for professional and technical reasons, but because as it comes from a member of a university where debating and testing ideas is a fundamental value and duty. On the contrary, I hope the debate is not over. Experienced aid workers routinely explore questions such as: 'Does aid work? If yes, why; if not, why not? What is the nature of the circumstances around why — to use your words —" sometimes aid fails, sometimes it works?" If aid is not working, how can we work collaboratively to address the challenges presented and do better to achieve intended outcomes for the beneficiaries of aid?' Asking questions and debating the evidence are professional responsibilities to the intended beneficiaries and to the Australian community who ultimately pay the aid bills. Surely, if as you claim, 'aid has a positive average effect on development' then we either should be asking these questions to get above the average or abandoning aid in its present form, but not abandoning debates about it as you advocate. The last of your list of 'useful questions' summarises the point I am making here: 'how can aid become a genuine learning enterprise?’ If we cease debating whether aid works or not, we cease to learn and we limit progress. We risk making the same mistakes over and over again. Finally, questions around whether aid works or not are fundamental to the process of why donors bother monitoring and evaluating their aid projects and programs. By all means, ask the other questions you list, but we do need to keep asking 'does aid work?'

Explicate bien.

In the past 6 months, I've read three stories of Tongans who have died while participating in this program. The three deaths raise a red flag. This number is too much. I think the number of deaths should be zero. The government of Tonga ought to be alarmed and to investigate these deaths so they will critique and identify weaknesses of the program. Perhaps the workers are not healthy and physically not suitable to do the job. I doubt anyone in the government is paying attention to this aspect of the program. On 4 September 2013, the Parliament discussed this program. The discussion was focused on the middleman/company who organized and arranged the process including the necessary visas and plane tickets for the workers. After the workers gave them the cash for their visa and tickets, the company disappeared with their money. I think this is a great program.

Sarah, you are a beacon of hope for the silent majority. As a highlands man, I am truly grateful for all your selfless deeds. I would like to communicate with you regarding the work you do. Currently two tribes from my district are at war with each other, innocent lives have been lost, properties destroyed – can't put an accurate value to the damages, it's just terrible.

im interest to work and help the people of australia and its government programmes. let me be a volunteer.

Although globalization has been a dominant trend in the world economy, perceptions of its benefits have been divided. There are enduring concerns which remain regarding its controversial impact on humanity and social development. In the post-World War II era, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) began challenging the unfair trade system and developed fair trade practices to address inequalities in global value chains.

It's a pleasure to learn from your article and to revisit the CPC Report to really understand the future that was predicted back then. Great work Dr. Hukula. Good bless!

This is an interesting piece. It takes concerted efforts by all parties - be it government or individuals - to raise awareness about environmental disaster and take actions. This is in addition to influence from abroad. This case reminds us of this. Bashar Malkawi

As PNG is 85% remote and rural, it's ALL about grassroots. Opportunities to improve donor engagement with grassroot development actors by moving beyond Port Moresby and a handful of others centres, remains huge. Wonderful to read your story, Sarah. I believe in the telling you are already helping. Warmest wishes. (P.S. Any chance you are related to Jambi?)