PNG Businessman Calls for Youth Employment Pathways Over NRL Bid
Prominent Papua New Guinea businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Brave Group International, Mr Wesley Roy, has called on leaders to prioritise long-term youth employment opportunities in Australia rather than pursuing a National Rugby League (NRL) bid.
In a statement, Mr Roy said while sporting initiatives have their place, they do not address the urgent employment needs of thousands of young Papua New Guineans entering the workforce each year. He argued that PNG currently lacks the capacity to generate sufficient jobs for its growing youth population.
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| Chief Executive Officer of Brave Group International, Mr Wesley Roy/Photo FB |
“If we really want to help our youths, then we should be asking for youth employment opportunities in Australia — permanent jobs, not seasonal work,” Mr Roy said. “That is what our youths really need in life.”
Mr Roy said structured employment pathways in Australia would provide young Papua New Guineans with stable incomes, skills development and long-term career prospects, which would, in turn, benefit PNG through remittances, skills transfer and reduced unemployment pressures.
He also urged the Government to push for improved trade access for Papua New Guinea’s agricultural products into the Australian market. Mr Roy said opening up trade channels would allow young people to engage meaningfully in commercial agriculture by cultivating their customary land for export-oriented production.
“Our youths can be engaged in commercial cultivation of their land if agricultural products are allowed easier access into the Australian market,” he said.
In addition, Mr Roy highlighted the potential for youth entrepreneurship, noting that young innovators from PNG could tap into the Australian market if given the right support and access. He said this would encourage creativity, business growth and self-reliance among young people.
Mr Roy expressed scepticism about relying on Asian markets, stating that PNG often faces difficulties gaining meaningful market access in the region. He described Australia as PNG’s most realistic and reliable economic partner after the domestic market.
“The Australian market is our second hope after PNG. Asian governments will not entertain us, but Australia can,” he said.
He called on policymakers to refocus discussions with Australia towards employment mobility, permanent job opportunities, trade access and entrepreneurship, saying these measures would deliver more tangible and lasting benefits for Papua New Guinea’s youth than high-profile sporting projects.
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