The social time bomb in PNG we just cannot ignore

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.