Australia has a need to trim overseas aid more than ever since Covid emergence has devistated our own economy.

One could safely predict the outcome of this inevitable reduction in aid, as a blessing to Chinese incursions into the area by increasing its influence, and spreading lies among the locals, enabling them to very quickly forget the huge benefits of past aid contributions. (Especially towards crime and corruption of their local politicians).

So, in conclusion, let's watch and wait while the two criminal elements contend with each other over who rules the South Pacific. I get the feeling the US is beginning to see the light, that's only good.

Dan

No foreign workers. We have enough unemployed of our own. Seasonal? We end up with more unnecessary immigrants. Our government cannot be trusted to turf out anyone with a hard luck story. Sending money earned in Australia out of Australia is stupid. Foreign aid should be government to government. It's up to foreign countries to look after their own people and get them employed, using the aid. The 5,000 Australian businesses in PNG - there for the cheap Labor - should pony up and help more.

Find myself mostly agreeing with Dan and ttbn. And can only add, our pacific neighbours need to decide which camp they want to belong to. The democratic one that respects human rights or?
Alan B.

Reduce aid now to Pacific countries ? God, no !

Like it or not, both China and Australia are in this region forever, so we will be in a long-term ideological and economic struggle for the affections of those countries.

So we certainly need a bipartisan approach from the two major parties, an informal united front. No silly point-scoring, just get down to serious co-operation.

Joe

ideological and economic struggle for the affections of those countries.
loudmouth2,
No struggle whatsoever because once the money stops so will feigned affection !

Individual,

Well, duh .....