The social time bomb in PNG we just cannot ignore

Papua New Guinea does not have a state welfare system. It cannot afford one, and won't be able to for generations.

A consequence is there are no reliable statistics on unemployment, and figures on jobs and job creation are erratic.

But two facts this week highlight the enormity of the problem. It is little wonder that politicians seldom talk about the issues - there are no short- or medium-term solutions.

Last year there were more than 30,000 secondary school leavers. This year barely 6000 can secure a place in tertiary education institutions - universities, teachers' colleges, TAFE etc.

The remaining 24,000 have little hope. The number of unskilled jobs being created is somewhere around zero. Indeed there are some indications that the number of jobs in the private sector is in decline.

Last weekend further highlighted the enormousness of the problem. A leading hotel advertised for about 25 unskilled staff. To apply those interested had to apply in person. Well over 2000 unemployed men and women turned up!

The time bomb this all creates cannot be ignored by Australia. It is on our border. We don't have a boat people problem - yet. But it is probably an inevitability...and perhaps sooner than later.

I believe there are two practical ways we can assist.

Firstly, we should offer to take at least 1000 school graduates into our TAFE and vocational training system. It could be jointly funded by both countries.

There is a precedent for it. In 2008-2009 the then Somare Government funded several hundred PNG students each year to attend TAFE college here. Canberra did not like it and did not provide funding.

The students went to TAFE colleges principally in North and Central Queensland. Barely any had to be sent home early.

The second step we can take is to get serious about the participation of PNG citizens in the Pacific workers and related schemes.

Australia should be able to take upwards of 5,000 at a time working on farms, aged care centres and in hospitality.

The problem is not an absence of jobs in Australia - there is an abundance.

It is a hopelessly slow visa system. We have promised to address it. Sadly we haven't.

Papua New Guineans are good workers. They adjust well to life here. They don't break visa rules.

My friend Arthur Jones has been looking at suitable accommodation here, either as a transition or longer term.

The Wagner's Wellcamp facility, now hardly used by the state government, is one very suitable facility. It is worth serious and urgent consideration.

Whatever is decided, we simply cannot ignore this escalating problem on our border.

Our employers and local communities will embrace PNG workers with enthusiasm. The workers will follow the Broncos or other NRL teams, and the Hunters in the Queensland Cup

They will remit a share of their income back to struggling families in PNG.

This is a "win win" for Australia and for Papua New Guinea. And it strengthens the all-important "people to people" association at a time when it needs it!

I would hope the new Federal Government seizes the opportunity to build on our most important regional relationship.

It needs to involve state governments, the business sector, and local communities, from the outset.

This will put to rest any notion that our approach to overseas seasonal and short-term workers is in any way race based.

This is not hard. It is not that costly either. But it can deliver early and positive outcomes.

Importantly both moves will be welcomed by the PNG Government.

We need to lift our game. Time is not on our side, and it is not on PNG's side!