Page 24 - IB August 2024

Opinion

Figure 2: Adapted PEV process incorporating FAQs
Figure 2: Adapted PEV process incorporating FAQs

After notification of selection, candidates proceed to Stage 4: Applying for the visa. This is
persist on what happens to initial quotas if those who What is clear, is the need for the Pacific Islands Forum
where all requirements from health and character assessments, English language
progressed to the approval of visa stage are unable to satisfy Secretariat (PIFS) to consolidate its efforts through a
proficiency and formal job offer is required. Included dependents must satisfy the visa
all the requirements. Will there be a re-draw of names from dedicated migration agency under the Council of Regional
requirements and either the principal applicant or spouse can show proof of a formal job to
the ballot to replace unsuccessful applicants to fill that Organisations of the Pacific (CROP) to reap the benefits of
qualify towards satisfying the 192 subclass visa requirements. There is no formal advice yet
country’s quota? Or will initial numbers count towards the temporary and permanent migration of its Blue Pacific citizens
how long the selection of ballots will take before successful applicants are notified. As a
country quota with potential for each country to increase within and beyond the region. The Pacific cannot afford to
applicants’ success rates in the next round? have loose workforce planning of its human capital, especially
reference point, another similar visa lottery, New Zealand’s 2024 Pacific Access Category
Acquiring further information on ballot registrations and now as popular labour mobility schemes and the prevalence of
(PAC) scheme, opened in May, closed in June and notifications issued on August 2. It would
success rates by country will provide important analysis climate change on mobility, see citizens leave in droves. The
be safe to predict a 1-2 months or slightly longer turnaround given there are more countries
in assessing Australia and each country’s capacity to Pacific nations must re-assess and re-position their efforts in
collaboratively support and enhance the success of the PEV. maximising brain gains and upholding citizen rights to remain
in the PEV than the PAC.
Equally important is whether a re-distribution of visas is in their homeland or maintain links back home when they opt
Beside uncertainty over ballot outcome dates, questions persist on what happens to initial
needed to maintain regional harmony. to access better livelihoods elsewhere. This should be the
quotas if those who progressed to the approval of visa stage are unable to satisfy all the
When the PEV was launched earlier this year, a pro- Pacific’s new migration direction.
requirements. Will there be a re-draw of names from the ballot to replace unsuccessful
rata formula was adopted to guide the allocation system
applicants to fill that country’s quota? Or will initial numbers count towards the country
using population size. During the consultative process to About the authors:
legislate the PEV, a Pacific Mobility Index based on three Natasha Turia is a Papua New Guinea PhD candidate at the
quota with potential for each country to increase applicants’ success rates in the next
core dimensions—climate vulnerability, diaspora, and social Department of Pacific Affairs, Australian National University,
round?
wellbeing—was proposed by independent Pacific research currently undertaking research in PNG’s political economy of
Acquiring further information on ballot registrations and success rates by country, will
scholars. This was critical for maintaining a fair and equitable temporary labour mobility arrangements with Australia and
provide important analysis in assessing Australia and each country’s capacity to
selection that promotes unity in the Pacific region. Australia’s New Zealand.
collaboratively support and enhance the success of the PEV. Equally important is whether a
pro-rata formula meant that countries with the highest Akkarina Rimon is a Kiribati PhD Scholar in Climate Mobility
population like PNG get the biggest share (1350) compared to at the School of Regulation and Global Governance,
re-distribution of visas is needed to maintain regional harmony.
the smaller or least populated countries like Nauru and Palau Australian National University.
When the PEV was launched earlier this year, a pro-rata formula was adopted to guide the
with under 20,000 people respectively.
allocation system using population size. During the consultative process to legislate the PEV,
Whether this calculation accurately reflects competing https://regnet.anu.edu.au/node/89987
a Pacific Mobility Index based on three core dimensions: climate vulnerability, diaspora, and
priorities of the Pacific Family and Timor Leste, remains X: @rimon _ akka
social wellbeing was proposed by independent Pacific research scholars. This was critical for
contentious. As is the motivation for other quota decisions LinkedIn: @AkkaRimon
such as diaspora size, existing migration opportunities, and
maintaining a fair and equitable selection that promotes unity in the Pacific region.
demand from participating country given some Pacific states The opinions expressed in this article are those of the
Australia’s pro-rata formula meant that countries with the highest population like PNG get
with established links to Australia, have relatively higher authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this
the biggest share (1,350) compared to the smaller or least populated countries like Nauru
quotas compared to those with limited access. publication.
and Palau with under 20,000 people respectively.
24 Islands Business, August 2024
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