Schools and Centres Pages

Events

Backpacker reform opens door for PALM

A key Australian Government immigration reform is a cap on second and third-year visas for working holiday makers, commonly known as backpacker visas.

Stephen Howes told Pacific Beat that the restrictions would be a major opportunity for the PALM Scheme to expand.

Pacific life expectancy increases but gaps remain

Life expectancy in several Pacific Island countries remains "below average" in comparison to global averages, according to research findings reported by Radio New Zealand.

Howes also talked to RNZ’s Pacific Waves program about how the Cook Islands and Niue have raised their life expectancy.

However Naoero lags behind even though it is a high income country but the national government is currently trying to improve the health of its citizens.

PNG medicine shortages linked to budget delays

Nematullah Bizhan talked to ABC Pacific Beat about a recent study completed with Clement Meta examining the link between delayed budget release and execution, healthcare delivery and medicine availability in PNG's Manus province.

He said that it can be a matter of life and death: "When it comes to the real impact, it can be fatal if a patient needs antibiotics and does not have [it]."

ANU-UPNG Partnership Phase 3 Launch
ANU-UPNG Partnership Phase 3 Launch

Third phase of the ANU-UPNG Partnership

The third phase of the ANU-UPNG Partnership was launched in April 2026, continuing the strong relationship between ANU’s Crawford School of Public Policy and the UPNG’s School of Business and Public Policy with support from the PNG-Aus Partnership.

The launch was held at the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby and was addressed by High Commissioner Ewen McDonald and UPNG Vice Chancellor Ian Findlay.

You can read an edited version of the speech given by Development Policy Centre Director Stephen Howes on Devpolicy Blog. The partnership has been welcomed by the community.

Read the story of economics graduate Gurame Moiya.

Publications

Our publications are catalogued on the Devpolicy Blog site including daily blogs, annual letters, discussion papers, reports and submissions.

The Development Policy Centre has compIeted a research project comparing and contrasting seasonal worker programs around the world.

The overview paper by Stephen Howes shows that all four national schemes have experienced strong growth and increasing controversy, resulting in tighter regulation, which in turn is a risk to future growth. It explores ways to protect workers while containing costs to employers.

The four papers are all published in the journal Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies. Download all four papers here.

PALM workers

Seasonal Worker Programs: A Four-Country Comparison

by Stephen Howes

PALM workers

Australiaʼs Seasonal Worker Program: Working Out Ways to Manage Risk

by Richard Curtain

Zealong Tea

New Zealandʼs Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme: Pathways and Prospects

by Charlotte Bedford and Richard Bedford

US farm workers

Farm Guest Workers: US Experience

by Philip Martin

Latest from the Podcast

The Development Policy Centre (Devpol) is a think tank for aid and development serving Australia, the region, and the global development community. We undertake independent research and promote practical initiatives to improve the effectiveness of Australian aid, to support the development of Papua New Guinea and the Pacific island region, and to contribute to better global development policy. 

We were established in September 2010 and are based at Crawford School of Public Policy in the ANU College of Law, Governance and Policy.

Our centre includes a community of researchers and program staff based in Canberra and the Pacific region. Devpol is also the hub of a large network including Centre Associates, graduate students and interns.

Our publications — discussion papers, policy briefs and reports — make our research available for all.

Our events are fora for the dissemination of findings and the exchange of information and ideas.

The Devpolicy Blog is our platform for analysis, discussion and debate.

Sign up to our newsletter or follow our social media to keep in touch.

Office locations

The Development Policy Centre is located across two cottages on The Australian National University campus in Acton. 

Development Policy Centre main building 
7 Liversidge Street 
Australian National University 
Acton ACT 2601 
» view map 

 
Chauffeur's Cottage 
Building 73A, Crawford School of Public Policy 
Lennox Crossing 
Australian National University 
Acton ACT 2601 
Australia 
» view map 

Director 

Professor Stephen Howes 
Development Policy Centre 
7 Liversidge Street
Australian National University
Acton ACT 2601 
Phone: +61 2 6125 7553 
Email: stephen.howes@anu.edu.au 

 
Program Officer 

Aloha Jeon
Development Policy Centre 
7 Liversidge Street
Australian National University 
Acton ACT 2601 
Email: soonha.jeon@anu.edu.au 

 
For Devpolicy Blog issues please contact: 

Amita Monterola 
Email: amita.monterola@anu.edu.au