The inclusion of PNG workers in the Pacific Labour Scheme overdue and welcome

One of Australia's priorities in its maturing relationship with PNG must be how we help address the great social scourge threatening the stability of our neighbour - massive unemployment.

Rebuilding the once strong agricultural sector holds the key to start making an impact.

We can readily contribute positively to that while helping fill our own labour shortages.

Given the modest number of initial participants, that should not be hard. The majority of school leavers and young men and women generally are from rural communities, or their parents have a rural background.

If we get this right our bi-lateral relationship will benefit significantly.

This week minister Wong visited Kiribati, and then Fiji, for the Pacific leaders meeting.

This is her ninth visit to the region since she became Foreign Minister just nine months ago!

I wonder how many her predecessor made in nine years yet alone nine months?

PNG faces many challenges. We can't solve all of them...but we can help.

Inclusion of PNG in the Pacific workers scheme is an important contribution.

If it is managed sensibly it can build on a relationship that is in very good shape!