Dear Editor,

It is enlightening to hear the expressed views of overseas Tongans as highlighted in Mangisi's article, (Education for export, a new perspective, 26/4). Mangisi is expressing a very real concern against the plight of Tonga and the unpredictability in its current economic and political stagnation. Let me therefore offer a different perspective to what Mangisi have already stated. The area of migration is of course very important to Tonga. In the past two decade, we have a small history of over stayers here in Australia alongside Indigenous Fijians, Asians and some Middle Eastern migrants. The reason we find ourselves in this particular predicament is because it is difficult to get through the front door. The only alternative for us Tongans is to arrive here as tourists or as students on scholarships, and then skip ship in order to make a living here. In reality and where Immigration programs are concerned, Australia is already on the verge of dictating to outsiders who they want to come here. It is no longer the Australia we used to know.

The education or student visa that Mangisi has alluded us to is of course a new scheme which came into force only recently. But the scheme maintains the same discriminatory processes that we see in other forms of visa classes. The skilled migration scheme was introduced primarily to encourage highly qualified applicants from abroad provided they are prepared to live out in the bush or anyway directed by the government.

We then have the special student or education visa introduced to encourage international students (who pay incredibly high course fees) to study in Australia, provided of course there's a demand for graduates doing specific studies, such as computing or science, etc. What I will argue with Mangisi is that these schemes were introduced on the basis of economics and not necessarily because John Howard is being receptive to overseas students or workers. Now in order for our brothers, sisters or cousins to even qualify for one or many of these schemes, they will have to confront these hurdles to overcome this country's selective migration procedures. Another word, it is not a matter for Tonga to educate the populace so they can go forward. How they and others can come to this country is dictated by the Australian government, and its various beaureaucratic arms.

The problem for not having many Tongan doctors or lawyers in this country is not because we have less people interested in this line of work. As you can imagine, this is a very expensive exercise considering the sort of costs associated with bringing up a child, and then sending her or him to university. The more immediate concern for Tonga now is an economic and political one. Mangisi quoted some valid materials for further debate that relate to land density, housing and unemployment. If these social issues are ignored, someone will have to pay this dearly.

If Tonga is to survive both socially and economically, it will need t  implement forward thinking strategies. That is, for all politicians and businesses to sit down one day and plan a blue print that will put Tonga on a economic crusade. We already have five years of honeymoon (political infighting). Now, we need to be broadminded, understanding and consider what is best for Tonga's future.

One thing I will agree with Mangisi. We may never meet that Tongan lawyer or professor in the pub either in Sydney or Melbourne, but at least we can enjoy a chat with that security guard at the front door. And yes, there's one in every pub or near you.

Jason Faletau

jfaletau [at] hotmail [dot] com