Comments

I’m still amazed this was launched without a pilot process that would have uncovered these challenges. It is incredibly difficult to create connections from nowhere, and it will take a decade before employers become familiar and comfortable with this visa. A six-to-twelve month provisional visa for the primary holder would improve the process immensely and reduce the risk for both Australia and the visa holder.

Thankyou Natasha for your voice. I believe this statement of yours makes so much sense to the majority who are already being exhausted in their job hunt. Hope the below statement is considered more meaningfully by the DHA. A more radical reform would be to grant a 6-month conditional visa to those who have met all other visa requirements, less the job offer, so they can move to Australia and start looking for a job, at their own expense. This would significantly increase their chances of securing a job over applying offshore.

Thanks for the update Natasha. As someone supporting a PNG friend through the process, I agree with both your overall assessment. I am now worried about 'what happens next' should my friend finally secure a job offer, only to have it withdrawn if Home Affairs takes forever to approve the visa. Ideally provisional approval and a six to 12 month multiple entry visa would be the most effective way to enable the final step in the process. Finally the PEV Support Unit needs to immediately change its name to the PEV Non-Support Unit, befitting its level of service. Can't wait for the Senate Estimates questions on how taxpayer funds are being effectively spent on this contract.

Natasha, thankyou for sharing your research findings on PEV. It is a complex process that require ongoing conversations and understanding of the expectations of applicants and DHA. It is encouraging to note the number of applicants increased and a few have been successful in securing a visa. A young girl from my village secured a PEV and is working in Australia now. Thankyou, Australia Government.

I am very interested in this discussion and would like to be connected to Mr Dennis Kuiai if possible?

Thanks for this interesting read. Like you, I’ve never seen aid as purely altruistic, but the West’s behaviours during COVID-19 (vaccine hoarding) and its double standards in recent conflicts (selective reading of international law) have severely—perhaps irreparably—damaged its credibility in global governance, peace, and development. No amount of 'intellectual leadership' will undo this swiftly I am afraid. Moreover, 'intellectual leadership' itself will need to be far more multipolar which is a good thing isn't it?...In the mean time...we brace for impact!

I am from Bangladesh, I am looking for an agriculture visa to Australia.

Hi Elaine. I am happy to help out. Devpolicy Blog staff will send you my contact details.

You've distilled so much here Graham. I've worked in governance in the region and for multilateral and bi-lateral aid (yes over a shorter timespan than you!). I've tried, in multiple programming contexts, to bring practice informed by proper disciplinary thinking in areas including political economy, historical institutional and political settlements analysis. I've seen brilliant and committed thinkers and doers engaging creatively and passionately, but banging their heads on (or losing their heads to) what has become an increasingly low and jagged ceiling. It's chilling; and the ability to sit back now and say, 'yes, well, that programming outcome was entirely predictable' only adds to the astringent grief. Some of the best work I have seen was done on the inside of organisations, in reviews and program planning that needed to keep the real analysis in the background, but informing real grounded work. Sadly now the evidence of even the best of that work will perhaps not be a part of future assessment of what was gained. But that was a choice we made: to work inside, say what we thought was real and true, and what we needed to learn more about. And somehow- it seems naive now- to trust that in both the bigger picture and in the opps, the information and insight would reach and percolate. And, create an extra loop in the organisations' practical consciousness; and, turn into something smarter and better grounded than what we got. And yes, now that the effective, informed institutional audience for this kind of input has itself been winnowed, and the intention has shifted from generically good governance and grounded engagement to geopolitics, it's hard to see what can emerge, and where. I got out of the academy to do this work: now the academy looks like some kind of temporary refuge and viewpoint.

Thanks, Graham. I appreciate the summary of your work experience. More of us should follow suit. That comment about Claire Short and her goal to transform DFID “from a project factory into a development organisation” truly resonated. While some may now criticise Trump’s America for its complete capitulation to immediate self-interest, particularly regarding aid, they are merely following a path already trodden by Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and many others before them. The scales of development will eventually tip back, but likely only when enough people recognise that selfless service aligns with our long-term self-interest.

Thank you Dr. Thiago. As PNG is celebrating its 50th independence and it's preparing for an election come 2027; I'm sure the PNG Constitutional and Law Reform Commission and The Electoral Boundaries Commission will look into it.

Thanks for spotting this Ray, You're right, the question we asked was about annual averages: "Now consider the last ten years or so. On average, each year, how many migrants do you think: 1. Arrived in Australia; 2. Left Australia"