It's hard to believe that a Morrison-led government is capable of doing anything about China. But, where is that wonderful United Nations, with it's continual criticism of Western countries, including Australia, when it comes to Chinese aggression?

Titch titch ...

Small country big problem!

Dan

More water flows down the fly than all the combined rivers in Australia.

Concrete reaches its maximum strength in 80 or so years! So, A Hydro project should pay for itself over time. Especially if there're smelters and an insdustrial park!

We should fund it and ask NZ hydro to add their expertise. Always providing we have a lean on the project until our contribution is fully refunded,in say 30-5o years.

In the interim, the projects and industry this single project will allow, should change the face and prosperity of PNG for all time!

Money has never been cheaper or more available! And should allow us to do more big idea projects at home.

Not the least of which is MSR thorium and the huge medical tourism that would follow. And just the start of (tip of the iceberg) the big ideas we could do now, if intelligently led by leaders with vision and backbone!
Alan B.

It is a frightening prospect.
If PNG defaults, China will move in and take over PNG.
China will claim that PNG is part of their historical territories.
They will claim that the 15th century Chinese admiral reclaimed PNG
as a vassal state from the time of the Central Kingdom.

Likewise their claims on Vietnamese and Indonesian territories can
easily be extended to Australia. There has already been mention that
the aforementioned Admiral visited Northern Australia on his way to Africa.
It all seems far fetched, but how do you disprove it ?

Bazz. Spot on mate! And the reason we need to be the ones funding the scheme and holding a lean over the project! Otherwise, PNG could go FI? Given the level of oficial corruption the length and breadth of that society?
Alan B.

But Alan, if the Chinese took over PNG what good would having the lean
on the project. They would leave a local administration in place, but
the banker calls the tune.
There are two possibilities on the horizon that may change everything.
First the UN will become more ineffective as the control of its
voting solidifies with the OIS, Organisation of Islamic States.
The now forming alliance between China and the Islamic countries
collapses due to both having an imperative to control the world.

Also there has been a rumbling of financial troubles ahead for China.
One of these scenarios or combination of them all give the "west" an opportunity.
I agree however PNG is a right now problem.