Opinion
Why Australia needs to stop being PNG’s payday lender
It might seem a good, neighbourly thing to do. But loans can be damaging as poorly tied aid. The alternative is subsidising direct Australian business investment.
Carolyn BlacklockCommentatorProxy wars used to be fought with guns and bombs. These days the weapons of choice are trade, aid, influence and photo ops.
As Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles descended on Papua New Guinea this week, these gifts were prominent, more so as the departure lounge curtains were still rustling from the upbeat state visit of China’s Premier Li Qiang to Australia.
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