Stephen Howes spoke to ABC’s Pacific Beat radio program and Radio New Zealand about the Australian Government’s latest aid budget announced on 12 May.
He says, compared to last year, the overall volume of aid funding is shrinking by 4% in real terms due to unexpected inflation.
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.
Charlotte Bedford’s research was featured in a Radio New Zealand article about the findings of an International Labour Organisation report being considered by the current Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme review. Bedford was quoted as saying that New Zealand was behind Australia in worker protections and wages for RSE workers.
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.
Seasonal Worker Programs: A Four-Country Comparison
by Stephen Howes
Australiaʼs Seasonal Worker Program: Working Out Ways to Manage Risk
by Richard Curtain
New Zealandʼs Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme: Pathways and Prospects
by Charlotte Bedford and Richard Bedford
Farm Guest Workers: US Experience
by Philip Martin
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.
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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
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Chauffeur's Cottage
Building 73A, Crawford School of Public Policy
Lennox Crossing
Australian National University
Acton ACT 2601
Australia
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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
