3 Nov 2005

PNG opposition says government should focus on job creation at home

11:25 am on 3 November 2005

The Papua New Guinea opposition says the government must make it its priority to create jobs within the country instead of seeking an outlet for the unemployed overseas.

The opposition leader, Peter O'Neill, says unlike small Pacific countries, PNG is blessed with abundant resources that offer immense development opportunities.

Mr O'Neill says there's no need to lose any sleep over what he calls Australia's and New Zealand's refusal to accept short term seasonal workers from the Pacific.

He says he agrees with his government that there's a racial connotation in the Australian immigration law.

And he says any discriminatory attitude that Australia shows towards its Pacific neighbours doesn't augur well.