Why is it so hard? Can it really be that hard?
27 November 2010
BY PHILIP FITZPATRICK
I’VE BEEN FOLLOWING all the doom and gloom in PNG as reported on PNG Attitude of late with a strange sense of misgiving.
There’s something fundamentally wrong here but I can’t put my finger on it. The closest I get to crystallisation is when I read about the shenanigans of AusAID (what a silly looking acronym). What on earth are they doing I wonder.
Isn’t it simple? There are basic things that human beings in this modern age need to survive with some sense of dignity. Why is it so hard? Why do we need all the meetings, the research, the overpaid consultants?
Isn’t it fundamental? Isn’t that what AusAID and their cronies in government, both in PNG and Australia, need to be addressing?
People need a basic home which is secure, clean and functional. Nothing fancy, just something that works and is reasonably pleasant to live in.
Their kids need access to a reasonably well equipped school and the possibility, if they are bright enough, to go on to higher education.
The whole family needs access to basic health services and, if they need it, specialised help not too far away.
Everyone needs to feel personally secure and not be subject to violence, intimidation or discrimination.
They need to have their basic food requirements met, either from their own gardens or from a store at reasonable cost. They need a clean water supply.
There has to be the opportunity to develop intellectually with access to basic media and literature. They need to have pride in their culture and to know it will survive.
They need to be able to make or buy themselves and their kids adequate and appropriate clothing at a reasonable cost.
They need the right to work if they so desire and the resources that make that possible.
They need a healthy environment, not one that is degraded through careless use of natural resources.
There must be things that I’ve missed but you get the idea.
What’s so hard about all that? Surely even a half competent government in a land as rich in resources as PNG should be able to deliver those things with ease.
Why don’t they? Don’t tell me; I know already, I read the blog.
I suggest we all re-read 'The Wretched of the Earth' by Frantz Fanon.
Where is PNG's grassroots leader who understands and is willing to fight for justice for the poor?
Posted by: Barbara Short | 28 November 2010 at 09:19 AM
In 2008 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visited Goroka. He was overwhelmed by the response of the people. They came from near and far to welcome his short stay. Many babies born in Goroka on that day ended up with the name Kevin Rudd.
These were simple village people welcoming the Australian PM. Why? They believed that at long last Australia was once again going to get heavily involved in the administration of PNG. They believed that at last the Australian government would take steps to stop corruption.
These people are simple village people who don't understand the complexities of politics. They just see the results. They don't care about being a sovereign nation if it means they have to live in absolute poverty.
Many of the old people struggled to educate their children so that PNG had a real future. They honestly don't understand what is happening and why.
They know that a few greedy, dishonest people in all walks of government are taking PNG down the path of destruction. They want it to stop.
I encourage those honest citizens of PNG to make sure that you educate all the village people of the importance of the next election. They must select the right candidates on their integrity. Its no longer appropriate to vote for the ones giving out the most alcohol or other forms of bribes.
As for the politicians giving themselves a pay rise; it's no wonder they are now carrying guns to protect themselves. Shame on them.
Posted by: Trevor Freestone. | 28 November 2010 at 09:16 AM
As an Australian tax payer I believe that I am entitled to the details of AusAID's expenditure in PNG over the last year.
A request I made for a copy of AusAID's financial statement was ignored. Is it so ashamed of its poor results that it is not prepared to publicly show how the aid money has been spent? Or is such information top secret? Surely not.
It has been shown that our money has not reached the people we want to help. Its time the Australian government woke up.
On a recent visit to Watabung, where I stayed in one of the villages for three weeks, I discovered that the living conditions had not improved since Independence. I dare Australian politicians to spend three weeks in the same village.
Of course they won't. They don't really want to acknowledge that many of our closest neighbours and friends are living in such terrible conditions.
Write to them and they will thank you for your interest and then proceed to do nothing.
Posted by: Trevor Freestone. | 27 November 2010 at 08:24 PM
I best remember my reading of Thoreau for his espousing 'civil disobedience'. His writing is highly relevant to PNG's current and acute malaise.
Posted by: Alex Harris | 27 November 2010 at 05:55 PM
I have heard good reports about Powes Parkop. When he first went to NCD as Governor he uncovered much corruption and sacked those responsible (but made enemies in so doing).
His reputation as a human rights lawyer suggests he will stand up for the rights of people, and not put up with corruption. I believe he has improved Moresby considerably since he has been Governor.
Phil - here's a great quote from Thoreau: "Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something."
I believe, sadly, that Dame Carol will retire by the next election.
Posted by: Peter Kranz | 27 November 2010 at 03:58 PM
Yeah, fellas, I always count on Powes and see him as doing something positively good and big. He's a doer, an achiever - some of the qualities I noted about him when he was one of my students many years ago.
Support for him seems to be growing from all quarters. Put him and Kidu in the same canoe and we are truly looking at some smooth sailing in the near future. That is, if Kidu does not retire too soon.
Posted by: Russell Soaba | 27 November 2010 at 03:07 PM
I suppose Thoreau is a good start for any politician in any country, Russell. A paddle across Walden Pond might work wonders.
I also suppose that my humble list, with perhaps a few modifications and additions, could become a suitable manifesto for a completely new peoples' party, but I can't see it happening.
Just in case however, any suggestions about what needs to be added to it?
Probably best to keep it simple so we avoid having to bring any consultants on board.
Posted by: Phil Fitzpatrick | 27 November 2010 at 02:44 PM
Hi Russell - What are the chance of Powes Parkop becoming a future leader of PNG? He strikes me as a cut above the rest.
Posted by: Peter Kranz | 27 November 2010 at 02:27 PM
What was that about amputation if parts of the body are wasting away? Or buckets with holes in them? Na, fellas... we need a complete heart transplant for the Haus Tambaran and, and, some new buckets, please...
But looking at Phil's commentary seriously, there is indeed something wrong with the people who run this country.
Never mind AusAID and other entities, their agents merely take advantage of such situations.
We just don't have a good leader, that's all. Someone who has the mind to lead, not someone who knows his own shortcomings and thereafter punishes those innocent poor who depend on him to do something positive for them.
We need a leader who must say, okay, fellas, enough of holidays, let's get down to doing what is good for our people and our country by starting from the base up.
None of the current leaders are willing to do that. You can't possibly make yourself become a sufficiently self-supporting country by ignoring the very basic of things that keep things up.
What every parliamentarian must do nowadays is read Thoreau; and if they can't, let the new and future generations do the reading for the good of our country.
Posted by: Russell Soaba | 27 November 2010 at 01:29 PM
Under democracy the ordinary people have to speak out to their local member about what they see is needed. He then raises this issue with his party (if he belongs to a party) and hopefully the party will raise the matter in Parliament and something will be done.
I guess if the local member is then able to get the Parliament to do something to solve the problem then that is good.
But if in the process the money allocated for doing whatever needs to be done, is stolen by the member of parliament or the contractor, then the work is not done and the money is lost.
What is then the correct process to get the money back?
Posted by: Barbara Short | 27 November 2010 at 11:38 AM
Philip - It comes down to two things: corruption and the quality of advice that is followed.
Common sense tells us that it does not matter how much water you put in a bucket, it will never fill up if there are gaping big holes in it. Corruption has rusted the bucket will not hold water.
Corruption has become the cancer of PNG and has invaded every part of the country. Amputation is the only remedy for such advanced disease.
Everyone knows that if you want to know the truth about a Hotel, you ask the cleaner. The general manager's information is only as good as what is passed up to his ears from down below.
Advisors paid up to $55,000 a month are justified by saying they have to be paid that much to get them to come to a dangerous place like PNG. We paupers on the ground are already here and have a greater depth of knowledge and understanding than any imported 'shiny ass' will ever have.
In the recent cholera dilemma, AusAID responds by "assistance in developing a clean water access plan". What good is a plan if it is not implemented to provide actual access to clean water?
We agree; what is so hard?
If you don't live within the guts of an environment and personally experience it for yourself, then you are not qualified to assess the situation adequately, no matter how many degrees you might have.
Academia never has been and never will be a match for first hand experience.
To know what poverty really is you have to live it, smell it, see it, feel it; until it seeps into your soul and consumes you with its hopelessness.
That experience will never be found in an air-con office in the fancy part of town.
Posted by: Peter & Lydia Kailap | 27 November 2010 at 10:42 AM
Phil - I agree. But yesterday just before PNG Parliament was adjourned until May next year, the pollies awarded themselves a 52% pay rise.
As the old blues song goes 'How can a poor man stand such times and live?"
" There was once a time when everything was cheap.
But now prices nearly put a man to sleep.
When we pay our grocery bill,
we just feel like making our will.
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?"
- First verse from original version by Blind Alfred Reed, 1929
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/papua-new-guinea-pollies-get-a-pay-rise-as-rest-rough-it/story-e6frg6so-1225961710180
Posted by: Peter Kranz | 27 November 2010 at 05:15 AM