Deal makes Manus the big winner

 The people of Manus will come out big winners in this asylum deal signed with Australia last month.

They will have new roads, hospitals, schools and spinoff businesses while the rest of Papua New Guinea will continue to put up with infrastructure from the colonial era. 

When do we see our Government going down to that level to assist our provinces in all these areas?

For once, let us look at the positive side.

Someone else (Australia) is footing the bill. 

As for the refugees, this problem will one day come to PNG. 

Like it or not, we are part of the global community and we cannot hide from it.

Not too long ago, Australia attempted to assist in solving PNG’s law and order problems.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers were deployed to PNG in 2005 under the Enhanced Cooperation Programme (ECP). 

They were paying the bill but some smart lawyers decided to take it to court and ECP was cancelled. 

Our law and order problems have remained and worsened.

As for refugees, we already have them in the country. Many are running trade stores in our remote villages. 

Many of the people of Manus are happy with the deal. 

Why can’t the rest of PNG support it?

Hamanga 

Port Moresby