Decision to stop visa upon arrival overdue

 I WOULD like to share my views on Cabinet’s approval of no visa on arrival for Australians.

My comment stems from Peter Barter’s comment stating that the Cabinet’s decision will have debilitating effect  in  the  tourism industry.

Apparently, Cabinet’s decision will no doubt impair the tourism industry  and  adverse flow-on effect in the hospitality industry. 

His  comment  somewhat is truthful with validation and he knows the hospitality  industry  will  suffer a great deal. But the decision needs to be  perceived  holistically encompassing pre-independence, post-independence and in the post-modern era. 

I raise my voice on this occasion to applaud the prime minister for the unpopular decision. 

This decision was long overdue. 

We cannot compare Australia with other countries within the region and outside. 

For Australia and PNG share a common history, a bond that inextricably binds the two countries. 

PNG has been up to the task keeping this side of the bargain through issuing visa on arrival for Australian citizens. 

PNG government has requested our  colonial  master  to  do likewise but to no avail.   

Both opposition and government intentionally keep silent on this issue let alone the state and territory governments.

We cannot continue to have this stereo-type ‘yes master’ mentally from the post-colonial era to post-modern era. 

It is not fair when PNGeans go through stringent process trying to meet  rigid  visa requirements and wait in the queue for five working days  to  check  whether visa was granted or not, whilst counterparts in Australia  just  fly  in hassle-free and in matter  of  few minutes, collect the visa and walk away. 

This  to  me is discrimination at best, giving the white person business-class  treatment while the same is not reciprocated.

A leadership is not merely measured for the good demeanor or because of the popularity but can be long remembered for unpopular decision as such.  

It  was  a  long  overdue  decision  and I take my hat off to Prime Minister Peter  O’Neill in honour of his boldness in taking such a decision. 

He has made some landmark decisions and one of those is rescinding the decision to issue visa to Australians  on  arrival  will at least send the message loud and clear that easy way in is over.

I  implore  with  all  parliamentarians from both divides of the house to stand up and be counted on the visa issue and prop the prime minister on the decision protecting the sovereignty of PNG.

N Waiyo, Via email