Stop telling the Pacific what to do
01/04/22
Why doesn't New Zealand double its aid to the Solomons to grow new businesses, and more jobs in legitimate industries?
Why not help the country negotiate better contracts with China that insist on local labour instead of shipping in Chinese workers?
Pacific leaders are challenging us to move on from the old welfare model of aid, and offer something the Chinese can't. Relationships.
Perhaps it's time to bring back the idea of a Pacific Union. The EU started with a common market agreement for coal and steel. The Pacific could start with a common fishing zone that would stretch across literally half of the world's largest, most abundant ocean. We could contribute our expertise from our own fisheries settlement and quota management.
Josie's Stuff column is here.
Why not help the country negotiate better contracts with China that insist on local labour instead of shipping in Chinese workers?
Pacific leaders are challenging us to move on from the old welfare model of aid, and offer something the Chinese can't. Relationships.
Perhaps it's time to bring back the idea of a Pacific Union. The EU started with a common market agreement for coal and steel. The Pacific could start with a common fishing zone that would stretch across literally half of the world's largest, most abundant ocean. We could contribute our expertise from our own fisheries settlement and quota management.
Josie's Stuff column is here.
