by Pesi Fonua

There is no imaginary relief guest worker program in Australia for the unemployment problem of Pacific Islands countries, John Howard, the Prime Minister of Australia responded to questions during the Pacific Forum Leaders meeting yesterday in Madang.

John Howard said that the answer to the problem of unemployment in Pacific Islands is to be found in the building of the economies of these countries. ...“The answer is to build the economy of these countries, to have good rules of governance, to have clear predictable laws so that people feel confident in investing....”

In a mid-morning Press Conference when the Forum Leaders meeting broke for morning tea, John Howard announced that Australia would make an $8 million contribution to Pacific island countries to prepare them for the possible attack of an Avian Flu or other pandemics.

Media man

In was noticeable during the Forum Leaders retreat yesterday at the Madang Resort Hotel, during the day that was dedicated for the passing of important decisions, that John Howard actively engaged the media more than any of the other Pacific Leaders. There were about 20 journalists and cameramen from through the region, including Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand who were at Madang yesterday.

In the mid-afternoon, John Howard called another Press Conference to announce that Australia had proposed in principle to establish an Australian Technical, Vocational and Trades College for the Pacific.

He said that the College headquarters would be in one of the ...“more populous Pacific Island countries with other campuses in the region....” He said that Australia would conduct a major study to take forward the proposal and guide its establishment, and the study will look to maximize the involvement in the new college of the Australian education sector and other relevant Australian business interests, ...“in order to ensure that Pacific islanders receive targeted training to meet real needs in the employment market....”

Australian study

John Howard hoped that he will be able to contact Forum Leaders early next year and convey to them the outomes of the study. If the initiative is confirmed he said it will be funded from the significant increase in Australian ODA that he announced at the UN Leaders...’ Summit in New York last month.

When Howard was asked if the College will be a entirely Australian funded college or will it become known as a Pacific Forum college, he said that it would be funded entirely by Australia, but others would be welcomed if they want to contribute fundings.

Pacific Plan adopted

The chairman of the Forum Rt Hon. Michael Somare in a Press Conference at the end of the Retreat said that the Leaders had adopted the Pacific Plan and the Forum meeting was very successful.

With regards to rejection by John Howard of the proposal for Labour Mobility, making it possible for Pacific island labourers to find work in New Zealand and Australia, Hon. Somare said that Australia did not reject the proposal but it has to study restrictions in its immigration laws.