Pacific Institute of Public Policy

The same old CR?P

As governments in the region struggle with troubling debt burdens, Nik Soni reminds us that we have been here before and risk making the same mistakes of the past. History shows that the externally driven ideology of 'Trump-esque angry white men with the strategic foresight of a goldfish' will not work. The overly simplistic austerity mantra of more taxes, less spending and selling off state assets needs to be tempered with an open conversation about the problem, increasing revenue compliance, debt re-financing and drawing on the technical skills that exist within our region.

11 April, 2016

PNG’s fiscal woes: where has all the money gone?

There are widespread reports from Papua New Guinea of budgetary difficulties, from budget cuts to church health services to government salary payment delays. Why? In this article (originally published on Devpolicy blog), Stephen Howes outlines what is causing the problem.

The world is talking about migration – so should we!

30 March, 2016

Giff Johnson

The world is talking about migration – so should we!

We need to start a more nuanced discussion on migration in this part of the world given the global discourse on this topic. Here Giff Johnson considers the issues from a north Pacific perspective, highlighting the little considered role of veterans returning to serve their own countries after years in the US military.

The long journey – political acceptance of women

2 March, 2016

Mary Jack Kaviamu

The long journey – political acceptance of women

The Pacific is still struggling to get women into parliaments across the region. Mary Jack Kaviamu recently contested the 2016 Vanuatu national snap election in the Tanna open constituency. Although she failed to secure a seat, she clearly hasn't given up. For Mary and her supporters, the journey has just begun. Here she relays her experience, particularly the challenges encountered on the way.

Dare to dream, but in PNG it’s not enough

17 February, 2016

Dulciana Somare-Brash

Dare to dream, but in PNG it’s not enough

Many people are commenting online on the impacts of decisions taken by the current Papua New Guinea government, with many expressing their feelings about a looming fiscal crisis. Dulciana Somare-Brash provides a raw assessment of the situation, saying the country will need more than a new crop of freshly elected leaders in 2017.

16 February, 2016

Derek Brien

Vanuatu’s new government signals change

Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas is the eleventh prime minister of Vanuatu. Derek Brien, spoke with ABC's Pacific Beat about what the future holds.

3 February, 2016

Nikunj Soni

Flying into the abyss?

Many people have commented on the saga surrounding the Vanuatu airport and the termination of flights critical to the tourism industry and economy. There are sensible solutions available to address the immediate works, and the longer-term fix does not need to bankrupt the country.

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A deeper look at the Vanuatu election

On 22 January 2016 the people of Vanuatu went to the polls to elect the eleventh and most diverse national Parliament. In this post we look more closely at the results, which reveals democracy in Vanuatu is seemingly delivering a kind of micro federalisation. While this is reflective of the reality on the ground, it does not bode well for nation building, and presents a significant challenge for political parties to consolidate or grow their share of the popular vote.
YOUR SAY: The new Global Goals

This short survey, undertaken in partnership with RMIT University, explains the new ‎Global Goals and gives people across the Pacific the chance to rate their relevance and help track progress. The more we know about the goals, the more we can hold our leaders to account to implement them.
Coalition builder

Frustrated with the status quo? Think you can do better? Have you always wanted to build your own parliamentary coalition government? Now you can with our new coalition builder web app!

ART OF DEVELOPMENT

DP22 – The creative economy has often been overlooked as a driver of economic growth, but is known to have important knock-on effects.
LENDING FIJI A HAND

DP09 – Fiji has a complex history that requires careful examination. There is unlikely to be any benefit in isolating Fiji and its new regime. Let’s be constructive, keep it in the family and work with Fiji to develop its democracy.
THE ART OF NEGOTIATION

DP08 – Negotiating a Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) between the Pacific island countries, Australia and New Zealand. Who benefits?

The same old CR?P