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With the current Australian government grandstanding on an anti-refugee platform, and determined disinterest in climate action, we can only hope that future decision-makers are better positioned to engage the Australian public on these matters and walk this walk with Australia's Pacific neighbours.

I note there was no mention of the threats posed by drug-resistant TB (Ebola With Wings), especially in Papua New Guinea and on our doorstep in Daru/Western Province

James and Meg, The idea of greater migration access in return for policy reforms has been around for a couple of decades but gets less and less likely by the year with growing foreign interest in the region, giving countries more and more choices. Let's not forget that Australia also needs Nauru from time to time. All in all, our leverage is on the decline. Giving greater freedom of movement to the microstates is good for them and good for Australia. We should follow NZ's example, and just do it, rather than attach policy conditions.

The focal intentions of the health care personnel (clinicians) were now identified to be urban health facility oriented. The would mean, they want to enjoy the available services in the urban areas based on their own assumptions. However, majority of our populations are living in the rural areas but they are reluctant to serve them. According to my undergraduate research study conducted in 2016 in SHP, I found out that 99% of the HEO ( Rural Health) , 67% Nursing officers and 23% CHWs are now working in the Urban health facilities. From my point of view, RH profession should serve the rural areas, not the urban populous. They supposed to define their profession as Rural Health, but their intentions to be in the urban areas falsify their profession!. NOs are utility, they can serve in any level of health facility. Merely from my statement here, I strongly support the work of CHWs in the remote rural areas where they usually provide quality services to the people, especially mothers and children thus more better our responsible stakeholders make should make a full support to expand the CHW program in the country could be a satisfactory to the unmet people. Thank you By Dunstan Konop DWU Bclor in Health Management & Systems Development 2017.

Unfortunately very few PNG nationals pay tax, in fact even as early as the 1990's a tax team went to Milne Bay province and gave business leaders there a talk on tax. the leaders there formed a committee and advised the visiting team that they did not want taxation there. This is putting more and more pressure by the tax and customs departments on the few honest companies left paying taxation in PNG combined with non or very late payment by the government with the result that many are now either failing or deciding to leave PNG resulting in even less revenue.

Sound analysis with strong punchline/conclusion that gives thought to the hidden/not-so-hidden effect of the apparently diminishing Australian interest in Pacific affairs. Sort of explains, at least in part, why China, ever the opportunist (not that there is anything wrong in exploiting opportunities) has gained so much ground/traction in our region, and all the benefits that come with it. There is prima farcie evidence of the effect of Australia's soft power in the Pacifc - Australia is seen as a long-term friend in need, and more trustworthy/reliable (at least by the people, if not some of the leaders). Australia is not seen as a short-term opportunist; e.g.; does not turn a blind eye to human rights abuses or readily shakes hands with coupist/dictators, or strikes business deals with them, for the sake of political/diplomatic expediency alone. Same cannot be said for China. Australia is not seen as faultless or as a Mother Teresa, but safe to say it is more trusted than China. Trust and respect was hard earned over many years through various programs, including Radio Australia's Pacific service, valued for its editorial independence. While Australia is shutting down broadcasts, a relatively cost-efficient soft power strategy, China is opening up Confucius Centres all over the place - at far greater cost! Perhaps Australia needs to change its attitude and return to the days when it's Pacific strategy was based on 'enlightened self-interet' rather than view the Pacific as a basket case only. To state the obvious, Aid s many things with many outcomes. It's not just a handout. It's also an investment in the future. Everyone in the pond benefits from a democratically stable Pacific.

Indeed. You'll be missed, Robin.

Hear hear. It has been great to work with Robin, he's made such huge contributions to the centre and to the debates that the blog/events/research aim to foster, and is someone I have learned a lot from (he's basically an Australian aid encyclopedia). All the best in the new role!

Under the Sorcery Act 1971, sorcery itself is an offence and very difficult to prove in any court of law. There are implications involved; one such is to change the mindset of people. Sorcery is deeply rooted in our society, people in the society believes that what they do is right and they are hesitant to turn anyone over for police prosecution. Also even if the police are alarmed, the attackers are difficult to prosecute. In the particular issue of Sorcery, the society takes law into their own hands and it creates difficulty for peace and justice. Awareness will help to inform people about the issue of sorcery and might also help to reduce violence

Teachings about education and politics are never too much. Great text.

Caroline you have a very valid question. one that needs to be answered. not by bureaucrats or so called stats. People who are in the areas that pick up the pieces of the seasonal workers, they know. The workers have been lied to, work in slave like conditions, are told who they can talk to, where than go, local people aren't allowed to enter living places. one set of bed linen for their stay. Henry Sherrell " here is the world bank paper" yes tell us the total amount in fees they the seasonal workers are charged to send money back to their country? let us remember the facts Quote the seasonal worker will be treated & have all the same privileges as the Australian worker. the first untruth & the list will be endless. Truth the seasonal worker would not have one idea of the privileges the Australian workers have. Truth are these workers not FIFO workers. Truth are majority of workers on piece work rates, Yes, does workers understand piece work to casual rates of pay, to permanent rates of pay, does the worker know that a work agreement needs to be signed & approved each time they do different work on a farm, No.

The endless killing of innocent people accused of Sanguma need to be stopped. And every attempt must be made by concerned authorities Government, including Churches to eradicate this evil. Having said that I would like to offer the following thought for discussion. The practice of witchcraft and sorcery is deeply rooted in the belief systems of the people of Papua New Guinea. The expression of this belief is found in different types of practices across Papua New Guinea. The coastal practices greatly differ from the highlands which I would term as 'direct killing' whereas in the coast it could be termed as 'remote killing'. In many coastal areas people differentiate between Sanguma and Sorcery. Sanguma killing is considered as killing by human persons who may use supernatural powers. Sorcery killing is considered as death that has been brought about by supernatural powers of magic or sorcery. I suggest that this difference need to be understood in order to address the issue of what is now considered as Sanguma and Witchcraft practices in the Highlands.