Test of Australia-PNG relations looms

Federal Parliament opens its Spring session on Tuesday 26 August but before then the Labor Government will face an early test of its vaunted new relationship with Papua New Guinea. At the Pacific islands Forum in Niue from 19-21 August, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will detail a trial guest worker scheme for Pacific islanders. The big question is whether workers from PNG will be included in the scheme.

 PNG High Commissioner to Australia, Charles Lepani [right], has said the Rudd government has been working hard to normalise the relationship between the countries but, if PNG is excluded from the labour program, it will represent a severe test. “It would be a tragedy if that happens,” Mr Lepani has said. “It will set our PNG-Australia relations in a very negative light again. Australia should start with PNG. It's very important that Australia gives a serious consideration to the largest Pacific Island and its closest neighbour, tied to its national security interests and much of the aid money is also directed to Australia's national security interest. So all these will be put to the test if I may venture to say on these labour mobility issues or seasonal workers issues.”

One of the reasons Australia will initiate the pilot seasonal worker scheme is to try to improve relations with Pacific countries and it would be a deep irony, given this goal, if PNG’s exclusion from the scheme should once again plunge the association with Australia into crisis.

The trial has been supported by Australian business and a number of trade unions. The idea is also strongly supported by Pacific nations, which see it as a means of supporting their ailing economies.

This is a matter I expect to raise during discussions with Duncan Kerr, Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, in Canberra late this month. ASOPA PEOPLE readers are invited to offer their views on the subject of seasonal labour from PNG so I may convey them to Mr Kerr when we meet. Simply utilise the ‘Email Me’ link under my very fine photograph top left of this site.