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Pacific

foreign-policy-pacific

When European explorers came to the south Pacific in the sixteenth century, most islanders enjoyed the lifestyles of the richest lords in their home countries. Relative living standards for the majority of islanders in the 14 independent Pacific island states have now deteriorated to being among the lowest in the world, while small elites absorb great wealth. Crime, corruption and political unrest are the inevitable result. The research program analyses the causes of economic failure and suggests policies that would lead to modern living standards.

Publications

  1. FEATURE: The Illegal Pacific, part 1: Organised Crime

    Susan Windybank | 04 Jun 2008 | POLICY Magazine

    Until the islands establish the rule of law, they will continue to suffer from the 'dark side' of globalisation.

  2. The HIV/AIDS Crisis in Papua New Guinea

    Miranda Darling Tobias | 08 Feb 2007 | Issue Analysis

    The rapid spread of HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea has created a health emergency, with at least 120,000 Papua New Guineans... Read More...

  3. Vision or Fiction? Prospects of Regional Integration in the South Pacific

    Stephan Freitag | 25 Oct 2006 | Issue Analysis

    In Vision or fiction? Prospects of regional integration in the South Pacific, Stephan Freitag discusses approaches to economic... Read More...

  4. Should Australia and New Zealand Open Their Doors to Guest Workers From the Pacific? Costs and Benefits

    Helen Hughes AO | 04 Sep 2006 | Policy Monographs

    Should Australia and New Zealand depart from their long term immigration policies to provide work places for short term seasonal... Read More...

  5. Annals of Aid: Vanuatu and The United States Millenium Challenge Corporation

    Helen Hughes AO | 05 Apr 2006 | Issue Analysis

    Without fundamental reforms in land tenure the countryside cannot increase its output and productivity. Without a thoroughgoing... Read More...

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Opinion & Commentary

  1. What a difference a decade doesn't make to the lives of Pacific Islanders

    Helen Hughes AO | 12 Jun 2010

    Ten years after the UN pledged to address poverty and poor health and education levels in the Pacific region, the shameful ... Read More

  2. Army of well-paid advisers keep Pacific poor

    Helen Hughes AO | 22 Feb 2010 | The Australian

    Poorly targeted aid to the Pacific hinders rather than helps the region.... Read More

  3. Pacific angst

    John Lee | 11 Nov 2009 | Foreign Policy

    The very fact that America needs to negotiate with its Asian allies and partners – and sometimes even compromise – means ... Read More

  4. Good policy better than guest work for neighbours


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    & | 21 Aug 2008 | The Canberra Times

    The announcement that Australia is inaugurating a ‘guest worker’ scheme for Pacific islanders to pick fruit in Australia ... Read More

  5. Game of Pacific cop and dodgers

    Helen Hughes AO | 01 Jul 2003 | The Australian

    The Howard Government's decision to help the Solomons by restoring civil order to the South Pacific islands is welcome. ... Read More

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Ideas@TheCentre

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