As resources projects emerge in the relatively small economies of the Pacific Islands region, they are accompanied by an array of benefits and opportunities for employment and local business.
In Papua New Guinea there are several significant mining projects currently under construction or expansion. Add Exxon Mobil`s world class LNG Project to the mix and Papua New Guinea is becoming a very busy corner of the world.

The magnitude of the LNG Project is quite different to anything we have seen in Papua New Guinea before.

The dimensions of the proposed PNG LNG exist in a different “ball park” today. One of the infrastructure management companies is bidding on a 10,000-man camp - just one aspect that speaks to the enormity of the project.

As the projects gather momentum and increasingly occupy our focus, “opportunity” is the operative word. Skilled Papua New Guineans have a wealth of opportunities coming their way. The phones of our hard working consultants in Port Moresby, Brisbane and Jakarta are running hot!

I believe the PNG LNG project will provide wonderful opportunities for many of our expatriate net workers who have been engaged in other global mining and construction project assignments. JDA’s advice to you is to examine your skills set and spin your CV towards LNG works. Opportunities await you in Papua New Guinea, the Pilbara and here in Queensland.

If you would like to know more about current and future opportunities, please call one of our staff today. Peter Garnsey (Port Moresby), Garry Brady (Townsville) John Davidson (Brisbane) or John Marsh (Jakarta) will be pleased to assist you.

We are emerging from the most traumatic economic times that people can remember. The expatriate mining construction fraternity (in particular) has been deeply affected by the economic downturn. To add insult to injury Australian expatriates are about to be impacted by new double taxation legislation.

Australian expatriates already compete with foreign expatriates for the lucrative remuneration packages available in the international employment arena. With the global economic downturn, experienced expatriates are returning home to a largely diminished local job pool. Australia will not only miss out on this significant source of foreign revenue, our unemployment here is being further exacerbated. Those of you, who are able to secure employment in the oil and gas, mining and construction sectors in Papua New Guinea, need to have an understanding of recently amended Australian Tax Legislation as it applies to Australians working in foreign countries.

At JDA we cannot and we will not advise you on your personal tax obligations. There are a number of reliable tax information sources in the public arena. If you require further interpretation and assistance to understand your tax liabilities then we advise that you seek assistance from your Accountant. A visit to one of the following sites may be also be useful;

An article from the Australian
An article from the government
http://www.budget.gov.au/

For further information, please contact:
John Davidson,
Managing Director,
John Davidson and Associates Pty Ltd
07 3120 0900
Released: 22 July 2009