This list of submissions will not be maintained after April 2022. All Devpol submissions can be found on the Devpolicy Blog site.

Submission to DFAT Pacific Labour Mobility Consultation
Richard Curtain, Stephen Howes, Rochelle Bailey, Charlotte Bedford, Ryan Edwards and Michael Rose, July 2021

This submission responds to three of the key Pacific Labour Mobility Consultation questions, and six of the selected issues.

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Submission to the consultation on Papua New Guinea’s National Draft Labour Mobility Policy
Richard Curtain, February 2021

The purpose of this submission is to offer an assessment of two key features of the draft National Labour Mobility Policy: the importance of the primary role of employers in seasonal work recruitment, and the benefits for PNG in fostering labour mobility to Australia for trade-qualified workers.

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Submission to the Pacific Islands Forum 2050 Strategy
Stephen Howes and Ryan Edwards, November 2020

This submission builds a vision for Pacific labour mobility to 2050 to drive increased employment, stability, integration, and climate change adaptation. The submission details recommendations to: embed an emphasis on labour mobility in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent; significantly increase the Pacific diaspora; give the Pacific greater access to existing migration pathways; and, focus Pacific aid on the provision of higher-quality education.

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Note: slightly revised version of submitted document.

Submission to the National Agricultural Workforce Strategy
Richard Curtain, July 2020

This submission provides information relevant to identifying current and expected demand and supply for the Australian harvest workforce. This includes advice on how to identify the supply of Australian residents for horticulture harvest work as well as the expected demand for this work.

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Submission to the Inquiry into the Working Holiday Maker program
Beth Orton and Stephen Howes, July 2020

This submission will focus on the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa as a major supply of seasonal labour to Australia’s horticulture sector. Through analysis of WHM visas granted, we show that there is an increasing shift in demand for the WHM visa from middle income partner countries and that the WHM visa is increasingly becoming an agricultural visa. With this comes increased risks of exploitation. We propose greater promotion and focus on the Seasonal Worker Programme to address the barriers for employer participation and to deliver a well-managed and responsive ‘seasonal worker’ scheme that also supports households and communities in the Pacific.

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Submission to the Select Committee on Temporary Migration
Holly Lawton and Ryan Edwards, July 2020

This submission relates to the Committee’s interests in the impact of wage theft, breaches of workplace rights and conditions on temporary migrants; policy responses to challenges posed by temporary migration; and whether permanent migration offers better long-term benefits for social cohesion. Pacific labour mobility is a key research area of the Development Policy Centre, and this submission draws on observations of Pacific labour mobility, particularly the Australian Government’s Pacific Labour Scheme and Seasonal Worker Programme.

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Submission to the Inquiry into Strengthening Australia’s relationships with countries in the Pacific region
Stephen Howes and Beth Orton, July 2020

This submission draws heavily on our submission to the inquiry on activating trade between Australian and Pacific countries (see below). Based on our analysis, we present five specific policy recommendations in relation to PACER Plus, Pacific labour mobility, the Pacific travel bubble, and aid.

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Submission to the Inquiry into activating trade and investment between Australia and Pacific island countries
Stephen Howes and Beth Orton, July 2020

This submission aims to demonstrate the unique nature of the Pacific economies, and of their interactions with the outside world, including Australia. It concludes that a conventional approach to promoting trade with the Pacific will fail, and that it is essential that the Committee put labour mobility at the front and centre of its considerations.

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Submission to the Inquiry into the human rights of women and girls in the Pacific
Ashlee Betteridge and Fiona Gunn, July 2020

This is a submission to Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade’s Inquiry into the human rights of women and girls in the Pacific, with a focus on addressing the family and sexual violence epidemic in Papua New Guinea. With this focus, the submission looks at the role of NGOs in implementing practical responses to gender-based violence, the effectiveness of Australian Official Development Assistance in the fight against gender-based violence, and how the Pacific Step-up could provide support for critical NGO actors and other partners working in this space.

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Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
Ryan Edwards, June 2020

This submission relates to the Committee’s interests in the strategic implications of COVID-19 with particular respect to: implications for Australia’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade policy, particularly with respect to strategic alliances and regional security; the impact on human rights; and what policy and practical measures would be required to form an ongoing effective national framework to ensure the resilience required to underpin Australia’s economic and strategic objectives. We comment on these matters in relation to (a) Australia’s engagement and interests in the Pacific, and (b) aid and development policy.

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Submission to the review of Australia’s new international development policy
Stephen Howes, Ryan Edwards, Terence Wood and Sherman Surandiran, February 2020

This is a submission to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s review of Australia’s new international development policy. The submission makes a number of recommendations including on labour mobility as the best way Australia can grow its influence in the Pacific and promote Pacific prosperity, aid’s enduring objectives, Australian aid volumes, aid effectiveness and aid to the Pacific.

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» read blog

Submission to the review of New Zealand’s policy on aid and sustainable development
Terence Wood, August 2019

This is a submission to the review of New Zealand’s policy on aid and sustainable development. The submission starts with a brief overview of foreign aid, and whether aid is effective at promoting development. The submission then details the key factors that contribute to effective aid. This leads to the main section on maximising the effectiveness of New Zealand aid in the Pacific. The final section addresses the issue of transparency and accountability. The submission is accompanied by a supplementary submission containing data on New Zealand aid flows to the Pacific.

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» view supplementary submission

Submission to DFAT’s soft power review
Ashlee Betteridge, October 2018

As analysts of Australian aid and development policy and its effectiveness, this submission focuses on the soft power benefits of Australia’s aid and development policy. We then highlight some of the risks to aid effectiveness from an excessive focus on achieving soft power gains through aid. This is followed by our conclusion and recommendations.

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Submission to the review of New Zealand’s policy on aid and sustainable development
Terence Wood, September 2018

This is a submission to MFAT’s review of New Zealand’s policy on aid and sustainable development. The submission focuses, first and foremost, on aid policy. Clearly, if New Zealand is to meet its obligations under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it will have to act in a range of other areas from domestic poverty to greenhouse gas emissions. Similarly, New Zealand can promote development in through means other than aid; for example, by adopting a permissive migration regime. The submission starts by making general points about effective aid giving. The submission then focuses on the Pacific, detailing development challenges in the region and the ramifications of these challenges for New Zealand aid.

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Above the noise: the importance of Australian broadcasting in the Pacific
Ashlee Betteridge, August 2018

This submission to the Review of Australian Broadcasting Services in the Asia Pacific, jointly held by the Department of Communications and the Arts and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, draws on the Centre’s experiences as researchers and analysts in the Pacific region. The quality of media access in the Pacific, including broadcast services, has substantive impacts on policy discourse, knowledge and development opportunities in the region. The submission draws on our experiences and contributions to the Devpolicy Blog to make a number of recommendations to government on the future of broadcast services and public broadcasting in the Pacific region.

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Submission to the Inquiry into the strategic effectiveness and outcomes of Australia’s aid program in the Indo-Pacific and its role in supporting Australia’s regional interests
Stephen Howes, August 2018

This submission is based on research undertaken by and at the Development Policy Centre, and addresses four themes of relevance to the Committee’s Inquiry: effectiveness, transparency, aid for trade, and innovation.

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Public interest journalism and regional interests: implications for the Pacific and Australian aid
Ashlee Betteridge, June 2017

This submission to the Senate Select Committee on the Future of Public Interest Journalism is based on our centre’s experience as researchers and analysts in the Pacific region, and as communications and policy professionals engaging with the media. The submission focuses on the following three key areas: the importance of public interest journalism to the Pacific region and Australia’s engagement with it; the importance of public interest journalism to policy debates, drawing on the example of our own field of aid policy; and the role that universities and centres such as ours now play in attempting to fill the gap in coverage on issues of public importance.

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» read blog

Submission to the Foreign Policy White Paper
Stephen Howes, Terence Wood, Robin Davies, Matthew Dornan, and Henry Sherrell, February 2017

This submission to the Foreign Policy White Paper consultation, written by several Devpolicy staff, addresses the role of development in foreign policy, aid and Australian values, a theme-based policy framework for aid, aid volume in an international context, Australia’s unique role in the Pacific, and the promotion of Pacific labour mobility.

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» read blog

Submission on Australia’s Open Government Partnership National Action Plan
Robin Davies, November 2016

A submission from Devpolicy Associate Director Robin Davies on aid transparency in response to the Australian government’s call for public comment on a draft version of Australia’s first Open Government Partnership National Action Plan.

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» read blog

Submission to the Working Holiday Reform, Senate Standing Economics Committee – Legislative inquiry
Stephen Howes and Henry Sherrell, October 2016

The Senate Standing Economics Committee inquired to the legislation concerning the backpacker tax and associated measures. This submission, authored by Stephen Howes and Henry Sherrell, argues reforms cannot be looked at in isolation. Seven recommendations are made, recognising the Working Holiday program is primarily a low-skilled labour migration program, with reforms put forward to reduce the exploitation of backpackers, deliver fairness for seasonal workers, and foster additional Pacific labour mobility.

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» read blog

Submission on the proposed Temporary Parent Visa
Henry Sherrell (with Anna Boucher and Peter Mares), October 2016

The Australia Government committed to the introduction of a Temporary Parent visa during the 2016 election campaign. The Department of Immigration and Border Protection released a discussion paper calling for response on the proposed policy. This submission, authored by Henry Sherrell (ANU), Anna Boucher (Sydney University) and Peter Mares (migration expert and author), argues the proposed Temporary Parent visa is is complex, problematic and could have unintended consequences, requiring significantly more research and evaluation before an in-principle commitment is made to introduce such a visa. The submission outlines overall objections, responds to the questions and terms of reference, proposals an alternative policy and projects possible migration flows stemming from the introduction of such a visa.

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Submission to the Working Holiday Maker tax review
Stephen Howes, September 2016

In August 2016, the Deputy Prime Minister and Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister announced a review into the terms of taxation for individuals in Australia on working holiday maker visas (417 and 462 visas). This submission, authored by Stephen Howes and based on two horticultural employer surveys, argues that reforms related to the working holiday maker (backpacker) tax cannot be looked at in isolation from other issues pertaining to Australia’s horticultural sector. Any reforms should serve to level the playing field for backpackers and seasonal workers. Three key recommendations are made: to apply the same tax rate to both groups; to level market testing requirements for both groups; and to require registration of employers and labour hire companies who hire backpackers and seasonal workers. The outcomes of the review were announced on 27 September 2016.

» view submission [PDF, 360 KB]
» read blog

Submission to the Inquiry into the Seasonal Worker Program
Stephen Howes and Jesse Doyle, July 2015

In May 2015, the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection requested that the Joint Standing Committee on Migration inquire into and report on the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP). This joint submission, authored by Stephen Howes (Devpolicy Director) and Jesse Doyle (World Bank), presents evidence primarily from the perspective of Australian horticultural employers and makes eight recommendations for expanding the SWP. The committee’s final report was tabled on 5 May 2016 and is available here.

» view submission [PDF, 694KB]
» view submission annexes [PDF, 1488KB]

Improving the effectiveness of Australia’s bilateral aid program in Papua New Guinea: some analysis and suggestions—A submission to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee
Stephen Howes, April 2015

In December 2014, the Senate referred the matter of the delivery and effectiveness of Australian aid to PNG to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee for inquiry and report. This submission, authored by Devpolicy Director Professor Stephen Howes, provides advice on areas where improvements could be made to Australia’s bilateral aid program to Papua New Guinea. The submission is written in four parts. The first (Part A) provides general background on: (i) PNG, (ii) global aid to PNG; and (iii) Australian aid to PNG. The second (Part B) provides views on various cross-cutting issues concerning Australian aid to PNG. The third (Part C) deals with sectoral issues, and the fourth (Part D) with capacity building. The Committee’s final report was released on 4 May 2016 and is available here.

» view submission [PDF, 1314KB]

Investing in institutional linkages in PNG: submission to Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee inquiry on bilateral aid to PNG
Paul Flanagan, April 2015

Devpolicy Visiting Fellow Paul Flanagan also made a submission to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee inquiry into the delivery and effectiveness of Australian aid to PNG. The submission provides recommendations on how the Australian aid program could better foster linkages between institutions in Australia and PNG. Read the Committee’s final report here.

» view submission [PDF, 436KB]

Combatting the family and sexual violence epidemic in Papua New Guinea: a submission to the Joint Standing Committee inquiry into the human rights issues confronting women and girls in the Indian Ocean-Asia Pacific region
Ashlee Betteridge and Kamalini Lokuge, May 2014

Under direction of the Foreign Minister, the Human Rights Subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Joint Standing Committee launched an inquiry into the human rights issues confronting women and girls in the Indian Ocean-Asia Pacific region. Given the wide scope of the terms of reference for the inquiry, our submission focused on addressing the family and sexual violence epidemic in Papua New Guinea. The committee’s report was tabled in December 2015.

» view submission [PDF, 706KB]
» read in brief

Submission to Joint Standing Committee Inquiry into the role of the private sector in promoting economic growth and reducing poverty in the Indo-Pacific region
Robin Davies and Margaret Callan, May 2014

On 4 February 2014, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, referred The role of the private sector in promoting economic growth and reducing poverty in the Indo-Pacific region to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade for inquiry and report. This is Devpolicy’s submission to the review authored by Robin Davies and Margaret Callan. The Committee tabled its report on 22 June 2015.

» view submission [PDF, 666KB]
» read blog

Submission to G20 Development Working Group Food Security Review
Robin Davies, Lorraine Elliott and Paul Belesky, March 2014

This is a submission to the G20 Food Security Review made on behalf of the T20, one of the G20’s ‘engagement groups’. The submission was prepared at the invitation of the Lowy Institute for International Policy by Robin Davies, Associate Director, Development Policy Centre, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University; Professor Lorraine Elliott, Department of International Relations, School of International, Political and Strategic Studies, Australian National University; and Paul Belesky, School of Political Science and International Studies, University of Queensland. The views expressed are those of the authors alone.

» view submission [PDF, 64KB]
» read blog

Submission to DFAT on performance benchmarks for the Australian aid program
Robin Davies and Stephen Howes, February 2014

Consultations were held with key stakeholders to build on the knowledge and experiences of Australia’s development partners and ensure that the process of developing performance benchmarks is open and transparent. A consultation paper was prepared by DFAT, and the Government called for written submissions. This is Devpolicy’s submission, written by Robin Davies and Stephen Howes. Submissions closed on 20 February 2014.

» view submission [PDF, 520KB]
» read in-brief

Submission to the Senate Inquiry into Australia’s overseas aid and development assistance program
Robin Davies and Stephen Howes, February 2014

On 9 December 2013, the Senate referred Australia’s overseas aid and development assistance program to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee for inquiry and report. This is Devpolicy’s submission to the review authored by Robin Davies and Stephen Howes. Submissions closed on 7 February 2014. The Committee’s report was issued on 27 March 2014.

» view submission [PDF, 938KB]
» read blog

Australia’s engagement with the African Development Bank: A submission to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee’s inquiry into the provisions of the African Development Bank Bill 2013
Robin Davies, July 2013

On 18 June 2013 the Senate referred the African Development Bank Bill 2013 to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee for inquiry and report. This is Devpolicy’s submission to the review authored by Robin Davies. Submissions closed on 19 July 2013. The report was issued on 20 August 2013.

» view submission [PDF, 1.2MB]
» read blog

Submission to the Review of the Pacific Plan
Matthew Dornan, Tess Newton Cain and Stephen Howes, May 2013

A review of the Pacific Plan was announced by the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders at the annual meeting in the Cook Islands in 2012. This is Devpolicy’s submission to the review authored by Matthew Dornan, Tess Newton Cain and Stephen Howes. Submissions closed on 15 May 2013. The full review report was completed in October 2013.

» view submission [PDF, 374KB]
» read blog

Helping Timor-Leste implement a regional employment strategy: A submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade’s inquiry into Australia’s relationship with Timor-Leste
Richard Curtain, Robin Davies and Stephen Howes, April 2013

In February 2013 Foreign Minister Bob Carr asked The Foreign Affairs sub-committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade to conduct a comprehensive parliamentary inquiry into Australia’s relationship with Timor-Leste. This is Devpolicy’s submission to the review authored by Richard Curtain, Robin Davies and Stephen Howes. Submissions closed in late March 2013. Due to the dissolution of Parliament in August 2013, the inquiry lapsed and no report was issued.

» view submission [PDF, 3.1MB]
» read blog

Fowl or Fish? A submission to the ACIAR Review
Robin Davies and Stephen Howes, December 2012
In October 2012 Foreign Minister Bob Carr announced the first external review of the of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research since 1998. This is Devpolicy’s submission to the review authored Robin Davies and Stephen Howes. Submissions closed in early December 2012. The completed review was released in May 2013.

» view submission [PDF, 460KB]
» read blog

Australian aid to Afghanistan – submission to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Reference Committee
Stephen Howes and Jonathan Pryke, October 2012

In June 2012 the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee announced an inquiry into ‘The administration, management and objective of Australia’s overseas development programs in Afghanistan in the context of the “Transition Decade”’. This is Devpolicy’s submission to the review, authored by Stephen Howes and Jonathan Pryke. Submissions closed in late September 2012. The authors were called to give testimony to the committee in early December. The report was released on 16 March 2013.

» view submission [PDF, 715KB]
» read blog