Our influence in Papua New Guinea continues to decline

The Pro-China PNG Minister for Agriculture, John Simon, has proposed the national government effectively "nationalise" the agricultural export sector......especially unprocessed exports.

Fortunately, the national elections are likely to derail, or at the very least delay, such a dangerous policy.

And what persuaded the Minister to put forward such a proposal? Well one of his stated reasons was the difficultly he is having in enabling China to purchase (on China's terms of course) a far greater share of the PNG coffee export sector!

Because coffee exports are controlled by private sector companies, there is no current way he can assist China to secure what it is after - no current way, but that would change radically if the export sector was "nationalised".

Is it any wonder I worry at the extent of China's influence and its economic ambitions?

That brings me to the third reason why our influence has declined further.

The restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic have effectively closed the border between Australia and Papua New Guinea. While trade has continued, in a reduced form, the vital people to people relationship has been absolutely destroyed.

I guess there are two just three or four commercial airflights between Australia and PNG each week - with passenger numbers limited and tough travel conditions in force. Conservatively, prior to the pandemic there were between 20 and 30 flights weekly, principally to Brisbane and Cairns.

Hundreds of Papua New Guinean families and businesspeople travelled to Australia each day - to visit relatives, enjoy holidays, and importantly, enable their sons and daughters attend schools and universities in Australia, and especially in Queensland.

And the business exchange level had been undergoing significant growth - especially in IT and service areas - until the pandemic intervened.

So what has happened in the last two years is a significant reduction in the all-important people-to-people engagement that was at the heart of the relationship, and something China could just not match.

I have not written about the vaccination rate in PNG for some time as there is frankly nothing to write about! The double vaccination rate is barely 2 per cent - and among the world's lowest. It has hardly shifted this year