PACNEWS THREE, 05 JUNE 2026

In this bulletin:

1. PACIFIC — Australia says China seeking permanent security presence in Pacific
2. SOL — Solomon Islands urged to act Now as ‘Super El Niño’ threat looms
3. PACIFIC — NOAA declares El Niño, warns of possible ‘Super’ event
4. PNG — 30 HIV cases reported daily in PNG’s capital Port Moresby
5. FIJI — NeXTGEN Alliance Party registered: Fiji Election office
6. SOL — Solomon Islands Opposition leader Sogavare accuses Wale Government of politicising Public Service dismissals
7. AUST — Bird flu outbreak ‘inevitable’ for Australian wildlife
8. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji Finance Minister signals spending cuts in 2026-2027 Budget
9. PACNEWS BIZ — UNICEF urges Budget investment in early childhood to boost Fiji’s economy
10. PACNEWS BIZ — FFA Members prepare for Commission discussions on South Pacific albacore
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Commercial sector remains Fiji’s largest energy consumer in 2025
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Inflation risks still elevated says Reserve Bank of Fiji, IMF says persistent excess liquidity is weakening Fiji’s monetary policy
13. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji Airways eyes cabin upgrade
14. PACNEWS BIZ — Ok Tedi mining ‘fully’ operational
15. PACNEWS DIGEST — New Caledonia’s Northern Province debates economy, services and the future
16. PACNEWS DIGEST — How drug demand in New Zealand and Australia is driving calls for the death penalty in Fiji

PAC – DIPLOMACY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Fri 26 Jun 2026

Australia says China seeking permanent security presence in Pacific

By Pita Ligaiula

CANBERRA, 26 JUNE 2026 (PACNEWS)—Australian Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy says China is seeking a permanent security presence in the Pacific, as Australia continues efforts to strengthen its position as the region’s preferred security, development and economic partner.

Speaking in an interview in Canberra, Conroy said the Australian Government has been open about its strategic competition with China and its concerns about Beijing’s objectives in the region.

“Both Penny Wong and I have been very clear that we are in a permanent state of contest.”

“We’ve also been very overt about what is the goal of the countries in the region, one being China. And China is seeking a permanent security presence in the region,” he said.

Conroy said China had been pursuing that objective through several avenues.

“They have been doing that through a number of means; the most prominent one is policing cooperation in the region.”

He said Australia supports the view that Pacific security issues should be addressed by Pacific countries.

“We think that security should be provided for the Pacific from the Pacific, and that’s not just a view of the Australian Government; it’s the view of the Pacific Islands Forum and the collective wisdom of the Pacific leaders through the 2022 Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders communique, saying if there’s a gap in any Pacific country’s security they should look to the Pacific first to fill that.”

“And as a proud member of the Pacific family, that’s what we’re going to do,” he emphasised.

Conroy said Australia wants to be the Pacific’s preferred partner across several sectors.

“We are very clear that we want to be the security partner of choice for the entire Pacific, as well as the development partner of choice, the economic partner of choice,” he said.

Conroy stressed that Pacific nations remain sovereign and are free to maintain relationships with other countries.

“This is not to dispute and say that Pacific countries who are all sovereign can’t have relationships with other countries, but we do want to be the partner of choice,” he said.

Conroy highlighted a series of agreements and initiatives Australia has pursued across the region.

“That’s why we’ve led groundbreaking agreements, whether it’s the Falepili Union with Tuvalu, the Nauru-Australia Treaty, the PNG Rugby League deal which led on to obviously the Pukpuk alliance, we’re close to finalising the Vuvale treaty with Fiji.”

“We’re still negotiating the Nakamal treaty with Vanuatu. We’ve signalled the intention to open negotiations with Tonga and the Solomon Islands,” he explained.

He said Australia’s interests are closely tied to the stability and prosperity of the Pacific.

“We want to be the best partner for the Pacific, not just in security but in human development.”

“The closest Pacific island to us is 4 kilometres away – you could swim there if you weren’t worried about crocodiles – and you should be worried about crocodiles.

“So, our peace, prosperity and stability depends on a prosperous and stable Pacific, and we’re going to do that through investment in health, investment in security, investment in culture and people-to-people connections,” said Conroy.

Asked about relations with the new government in the Solomon Islands led by Prime Minister Matthew Wale, Conroy said discussions were at an early stage.

“Well, it’s early days, and as a matter of course, I generally negotiate with other governments face to face rather than through the media,” he said.

Conroy said both governments had agreed to work towards a broader partnership.

“We’ve been very clear and both leaders agreed to start working towards a comprehensive and strategic partnership,” he said.

Conroy said Australia’s approach is guided by the priorities identified by Pacific governments.

“It will be focused on their priorities, and I think that’s the key message.”

“This government turns up, we listen and we act on the priorities of our Pacific partners,” he said.

Conroy cited Australia’s engagement across the region as evidence of that approach.

“That’s why I’ve made 37 visits to the Pacific, including 11 trips to PNG, in the last four years. That’s why Penny Wong’s been to every PIF country. That’s why Prime Minister Albanese walked the Kokoda Track with Prime Minister Marape for three days, sleeping in tents next to each other.”

“We turn up, we listen to their priorities,” Conroy stressed.

Conroy said different Pacific countries have different priorities and Australia aims to tailor its partnerships accordingly.

“In Tuvalu it was about addressing climate change, investing in adaptation, providing migration with dignity through the granting permanent residency to every single permanent resident of Tuvalu, which is an incredible world’s first.”

“For Nauru it was economic resilience and providing banking services. PNG, there’s a whole range of things.”

“So, each country will have different priorities, and it’s our job to act on those priorities and negotiate an arrangement that benefits both countries, and that’s what we’re going to do,” said Conroy…PACNEWS

SOL – WEATHER WATCH/EL NINO: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Fr 26 Jun 2026

Solomon Islands urged to act Now as ‘Super El Niño’ threat looms

By Pita Ligaiula

SEOUL, 25 JUNE 2026 (PACNEWS)— A senior official at the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has warned that Solomon Islands must take proactive and decisive political action to prepare for a looming 2026–2027 super El Niño, saying the country faces a more severe threat than the devastating 1997–1998 event.

In a personal statement posted on LinkedIn, Exsley Taloiburi, Head of Multilateral Governance and Observer Engagement at the Green Climate Fund, said the approaching El Niño is expected to unfold under hotter global conditions, reduced development assistance and a population that has roughly doubled since the late 1990s.

Taloiburi said Solomon Islands faces a 2026–2027 “super El Niño,” comparable to the very strong 1997–1998 event but taking place in a more challenging environment marked by climate change, geopolitical constraints and increased pressure on resources and public services.

The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service has declared El Niño conditions and expects impacts to continue through at least the end of the year, intensifying in late 2026 and lasting until April or May 2027.

Taloiburi noted that climate change is acting as a force multiplier. During the 1997–1998 El Niño, global warming was about 0.42 degrees Celsius, but global temperatures have now surpassed the 1.5-degree threshold advocated by Pacific Island countries.

He also warned that traditional development partners are reducing official development assistance and climate and disaster financing, while the country’s population growth has increased demand for water, food, health services and other resources.

Taloiburi estimated that the 1997 El Niño cost Solomon Islands between one and two percent of gross domestic product, equivalent to about SBD300 million.

He warned that the current event could result in declines of more than 30 percent in agriculture and primary exports and reductions of more than 40 percent in freshwater availability in Honiara and other centres.

Taloiburi highlighted worsening water shortages in provincial centres, including Malu’u and Gizo, noting that severe shortages at Malu’u Station are already affecting healthcare services.

He argued that reactive responses would not be enough.

“The business-as-usual, reactive responses are insufficient; proactive, politically backed planning is urgent to mitigate health, economic, water, and food security risks.”

Taloiburi said investments in preparedness generate significant returns and can deliver what he described as a “triple dividend” by reducing disaster losses, creating everyday economic and social benefits, and encouraging innovation and growth.

He argued that resilience should be viewed as a development strategy rather than simply a way to manage risk.

Taloiburi called for high-level political leadership, including the possible establishment of an ad hoc political taskforce mandated by the Prime Minister to work alongside the National Disaster Council and provide rapid recommendations to Cabinet.

He also urged a shift from reactive spending to ex-ante financing, including contingency funding to support water security, drought-resilient agriculture, sanitation and hygiene programmes, and the pre-positioning of critical supplies.

Among the recommendations was the creation of a national climate and disaster fund capable of rapidly supporting vulnerable communities.

Taloiburi suggested drawing lessons from financing models used in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Palau, Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands and Barbados.

He also proposed government-backed concessional loans through the National Development Bank of Solomon Islands and subsidised drought insurance products to help households and farmers respond to climate shocks.

“The 2026 super El Niño demands proactive, decisive political action that updates 1997-era lessons for a hotter climate, tighter aid environment, and larger population,” he said.

Taloiburi said focusing on advance financing, water and agriculture measures, a national resilience fund and insurance tools could significantly reduce losses.

“Embracing the triple dividend mindset reframes resilience as smart development—delivering immediate co-benefits, strengthening the economy, and safeguarding communities when shocks arrive,” Taloiburi said….PACNEWS

PAC – WEATHER WATCH: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Fri 26 Jun 2026

NOAA declares El Niño, warns of possible ‘Super’ event

WASHINGTON, 26 JUNE 2026 (PACNEWS)—The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has declared that El Niño conditions are present in the Pacific, with forecasts indicating a high probability the climate pattern could develop into a “super” El Niño by the end of the year.

NOAA confirmed o that sea surface temperatures in the Pacific have already exceeded the 0.5 degrees Celsius threshold required to declare El Niño conditions.

According to model forecasts, there is a 63 percent probability that temperature anomalies will exceed 2 degrees Celsius by winter, placing the event in the “very strong” or “super” El Niño category.

Such events are rare, having occurred only five times since 1950. The most recent super El Niño took place in 2015-16.

Scientists say a super El Niño can significantly alter global weather patterns by shifting jet streams and changing rainfall distribution across different regions.

Forecasts indicate wetter-than-average conditions for Texas and the United States Gulf Coast, while Papua New Guinea and Australia are expected to face below-average rainfall and increased drought risk.

Globally, potential impacts include weakened Asian monsoons, flooding in parts of South America and disruptions to marine ecosystems.

Experts have warned that the current El Niño is developing during a period of record-high global temperatures, raising concerns that weather extremes could be more severe than those experienced during previous events.

Satellite observations by the NASA-European Space Agency Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich mission have detected Kelvin waves, large pulses of warm water moving eastward across the Pacific Ocean.

The satellite recorded sea level increases of up to six inches near Peru, indicating the build-up of subsurface heat that fuels El Niño development.

Researchers noted that similar ocean conditions were observed before the powerful 1997-98 El Niño, although fewer Kelvin waves have been detected so far, leaving uncertainty about the event’s eventual strength.

Scientists also warned that marine heatwaves associated with El Niño could threaten seabirds, sea lions, whales and fisheries along the United States West Coast.

Historical examples, including the 2014-16 marine heatwave known as “The Blob”, demonstrated that such conditions can result in large-scale wildlife losses and long-term ecosystem damage……PACNEWS

PNG – HIV/AIDS/HEALTH: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS 1: Fri 26 Jun 2026

30 HIV cases reported daily in PNG’s capital Port Moresby

PORT MORESBY, 26 JUNE 2026 (THE NATIONAL) –Thirty new Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases are reported in Papua New Guinea’s capital Port Moresby daily with most victims being women and girls.

With a diagnosis of close to 11,000 cases per year and out of that 60 per cent are female according to Dr Nano Gideon, HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) programme manager at the Health Department.

Gideon said the Government had declared HIV last year as a national health crisis among other major illnesses and had pledged K15 million (US$3.42 million) this year as part of the national programme.

United Nations resident coordinator Shalini Bahuguna highlighted the severe impact of the virus on families.

“The fact that we have 30 new infections, including seven babies born with HIV every day means the country must take these figures seriously,” she said.

Health authorities are now shifting their attention towards better protective health spaces.

Gideon stated that the Health Department was looking closely at how to venture into antenatal care.

This strategy aims to ensure that pregnant women and children are better cared for, and that girls out in the community are better served.

The country’s overall testing efforts have expanded heavily in recent years.

Health facilities managed to test 281,000 persons across 500 testing sites in 22 provinces in 2024.

This testing volume rose significantly to reach the 400,000-mark last year.

Health officials hope that introducing new innovations into the community space will increase testing to cover more than 600,000 individuals this year to ensure everyone can stay safe.

Health secretary Pascoe Kase said that too many people still did not know their HIV status and this continued to be one of the greatest barriers to accessing treatment, care and prevention services.

“If we are serious about reducing infections and improving health outcomes we must continue to find new ways to reach people earlier and more effectively,” Kase said.

Meanwhile, fifty- two thousand Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) self-screening kits have been given to PNG with support from the United Nations (UN).

The presentation was done Wednesday with the first shipment of 26,000 HIV self-screening kits now available for distribution and would be rolled out in the National Capital District, Morobe, Eastern Highlands, and Western Highlands, according to Dr Nano Gideon, the HIV/ Sexually Transmitted Infection programme manager for Department of Health (DoH).

“Prevention has been one of those biggest challenges and we have come to this point where we need to move beyond some of the traditional ways of delivering care to our people,” he said.

“The community can test in their own safe space without discrimination, stigma, and without fear of many of the challenges that they face.”

The self-screening kits are the oral fluid swab type.

According to the instructions that come with the kit, to test oneself, one needs to swab the lower and upper gums.

Then insert the swab into a provided solution vial and the results come in about 20 minutes.

UN resident coordinator Shalini Bahuguna said that only 60 per cent of people living with HIV knew their status as the remaining 40 per cent feared public stigma.

“This is a breakthrough in health equity,” Bahuguna said.

“These tools ensure privacy and confidentiality, allowing people to take control of their health with dignity.”

Nano emphasised the critical nature of the roll out.

“You cannot treat unless you test. HIV is diagnosed through testing. It is very important,” he said.

He noted that drawing blood had been a major challenge, as national health policies required a certified health worker to perform the procedure.

“In NCD we saw the testing actually take off to almost 10,000 in a period of six months and we want to command Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) support,” Nano said.

“We are now moving to Morobe, Eastern Highlands and Western Highlands because that is where most of our people are moving because of the oil and gas hinterland of the highlands and you have the highways linking the cities.

“When there is a lot of movement, you can see that there is potential for many risks.”

DFAT first secretary Dr Ramez Alhazzaa reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting rural populations…..PACNEWS

FIJI – POLITICS: FEO PACNEWS 1: Fri 26 Jun 2026

NeXTGEN ALLIANCE Party registered : Fiji Election office

SUVA, 26 JUNE 2026 (FEO)—Fiji’s Registrar of Political Parties, Ana Mataiciwa, has approved the registration of the NeXTGEN ALLIANCE PARTY (NGAP) as a political party pursuant to the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013.

The Registrar confirms that NGAP has met all legal requirements for registration under the Act.

Following its registration, NGAP is required to comply with all statutory obligations applicable to registered political parties, including the submission of relevant declarations and disclosures within the prescribed timelines.

The Registrar further advises that, following the completion of the application process and with no objections received against the application for registration, the approval of NGAP’s registration brings the total number of registered political parties in Fiji to nine (9)…..PACNEWS

SOL – POLITICS: ISLAND SUN PACNEWS 1: Fri 26 Jun 2026

Solomon Islands Opposition leader Sogavare accuses Wale Government of politicising Public Service dismissals

HONIARA, 26 JUNE 2026 (ISLAND SUN)—Solomon Islands leader of Opposition Manasseh Sogavare has accused Prime Minister Matthew Wale of abusing a clause within the contracts of senior public servants to remove them based on politics.

Sogavare called out Wale over reports that ‘public servants who are not considered loyal to the Government could face consequences for their employment’.

Clause 22(j) is a termination clause in the senior public service employment contracts which allows for the officials to be fired purely on political grounds and bypassing the oversight of the Public Service Commission (PSC).

PSC is constitutionally responsible for terminating public officials’ contracts. Under Section 116 of the Constitution, the PSC is vested with the explicit power to appoint, promote, transfer, remove, and discipline public officers.

Sogavare called on PM Wale to stop.

Since Wale came to power several senior public servants have been fired with immediate effect including four permanent secretaries, with no explanations. More terminations are reportedly in the pipeline.

Wale has not responded to enquiries sent by Island Sun via the PM Secretariat.

Sogavare, in a statement on Tuesday this week, said the Public Service is a national institution established to serve the people of Solomon Islands and must remain professional, impartial and politically neutral at all times.

The Opposition is deeply concerned that clause 22(j) is now being used across senior public service contracts to terminate permanent secretaries and other senior officials solely because there has been a change of government or a change in government policy, the statement said.

This concern is heightened by reports that permanent secretaries in the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, and Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services have also been terminated under the same clause, the Opposition statement said.

“This clause allows a government to end a contract on political grounds, even where there is no allegation of misconduct, poor performance or breach of duty by the officer.

“By relying on clause 22(j), the Government has effectively claimed a right to remove senior public servants simply because they are no longer seen as politically convenient.

“This strikes at the heart of the constitutional principle that appointments, promotions and discipline of public officers are matters for an independent Public Service Commission, which is intended to exercise these powers free from political direction or control.

“When ministers can use contract clauses like 22(j) to sidestep the Commission, the door is opened to patronage, favouritism and the politicisation of the Public Service.

“Public servants do not serve political parties. They serve the State and the people of Solomon Islands,” Sogavare said.

The Opposition Leader said successive governments have depended on a professional Public Service to provide independent advice, implement government policies and ensure continuity through changes in political leadership.

“The Public Service is the machinery that implements the policies and decisions of the Government of the day. While public servants must be held to high standards of performance, they must also be provided with the right environment, support and conditions to carry out their responsibilities effectively,” he said.

“Our public officers should be assessed on their competence, professionalism, integrity and performance not on perceived political loyalty.”

Sogavare said public servants must be able to provide frank and honest professional advice without fear or political pressure.

“A strong democracy depends on strong institutions. Public servants must be able to carry out their responsibilities with confidence that they can provide professional advice in the national interest.”

He said any perception that employment, promotion or advancement within the Public Service depends on political allegiance risks undermining public confidence in the independence and integrity of the institution.

“The Public Service belongs to the nation, not to any political party or government. Governments come and go, but the Public Service remains the permanent machinery of government.”

Sogavare said the Opposition supports efforts to strengthen performance, accountability and professionalism within the Public Service, but such reforms must be guided by merit, competence and the rule of law.

“The people of Solomon Islands expect a Public Service that is professional, independent and capable of serving any government elected by the people. These principles must always be protected.”

The Leader of Opposition therefore calls on the Government to immediately cease the use of clause 22(j) as a basis for terminating senior public servants and to review all such contracts as a matter of urgency, the statement said.

At the same time, he urges the Public Service Commission to actively assert its constitutional mandate over appointments, tenure and discipline of public officers, and to ensure that any contractual arrangements are consistent with the principles of independence, merit and non-partisanship required by the Constitution……PACNEWS

AUST – BIRD FLU STRAIN: AAP PACNEWS 1: Fri 26 Jun 2026

Bird flu outbreak ‘inevitable’ for Australian wildlife

PERTH, 26 JUNE 2016 (AAP)—An outbreak of a deadly virus ravaging unique Australian species could wreak havoc by summer, thanks to migratory birds.

More cases are expected to hit the mainland after a migratory bird tested positive for H5N1 bird flu in South Australia, days after the nation’s first two confirmed cases were reported near Esperance in Western Australia.

The poultry and agricultural sectors in Australia remain free from the flu but the industry has been on high alert since the cases were confirmed in wild birds.

Scientists warn the threat of a slew of wild birds becoming infected is “more when than if”.

“It may not spread in this winter, but it could come from shorebirds … in the next summer,” Birdlife Australia president Hugh Possingham said on Thursday.

‘It’ll probably get here eventually … that’s unavoidable.

“The way migratory birds are coming to this continent from other continents and other places – something is going to happen.”

Australia is better prepared than other countries, says University of Tasmania biologist Jane Younger.

But she concedes migratory birds are the wild card.

“It’s almost inevitable that we’ll have wildlife outbreaks at some point,” Dr Younger said.

“For a lot of these seabirds in the Southern Ocean that are really circulating this virus around, there has not been a lot of tracking … so it is a really tricky thing for us to model or predict how this will spread.”

There was currently no threat to humans, federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins confirmed.

“Chicken meat and eggs, as prepared normally, are ‌perfectly safe to eat,” ‌she said.

Bird flu could rarely spread to humans in close contact with infected birds but had the potential to cause severe illness, University of NSW epidemiologist Raina MacIntyre said.

She said the risk in Australia was low but noted there were several ways for the virus to spread and mutate across species.

“When a human with human flu comes into contact with an animal or bird with bird flu and the virus exchanges genetic segments, then a pandemic virus arises,” Professor MacIntyre said.

She recommended farm workers in the poultry industry to wear personal protective equipment and for pet owners not to let their animals stray too far.

WA authorities have received nearly 200 reports of sick birds since the first suspected case.

Ground-based ⁠surveillance and drone surveys are being carried out at sea lion breeding sites along South Australian coasts, with testing frequency increased in high-risk areas.

A temporary ban on all poultry products imported from Australia, imposed by Papua New Guinea’s National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority, has been lifted after being put in place on Monday.

PNG is Australia’s largest single market for chicken meat exports, accounting for nearly half of the $133 million (US$92 million) in sales in 2023/24……PACNEWS

PACNEWS BIZ

FIJI – BUDGET: FIJI SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 26 Jun 2026

Fiji Finance Minister signals spending cuts in 2026-2027 Budget

SUVA, 26 JUNE 2026 (FIJI SUN)—Fiji’s Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel has signalled tough spending cuts across government ministries, departments and agencies in today’s 2026-2027 National Budget.

The move comes as the fuel crisis continues to weigh on the economy and squeeze Government revenue.

Immanuel, who will table the Appropriation Bill in Parliament at 10am today, said the tough measures introduced during the fuel crisis would continue into the new financial year.

He said the overall Budget would remain similar in dollar terms to last year’s, but Government would be expected to do more with less as inflation rises and revenue declines.

Immanuel said the focus would shift towards capital expenditure and strengthening the economy against future shocks, including natural disasters, climate change and global conflicts.

He said the Budget would be a responsible one as Fijians continue to hope for relief from the rising cost of living, while minimum wage rates have failed to cushion the impact on ordinary households….PACNEWS

FIJI – BUDGET: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 1: Fri 26 Jun 2026

UNICEF urges Budget investment in early childhood to boost Fiji’s economy

SUVA, 26 JUNE 2026 (FIJI SUN)—Investing in early childhood development is one of the smartest economic decisions Fiji can make, with long-term benefits for the country’s workforce and economic growth, UNICEF Pacific Representative Hamish Young said as he urged the Government to prioritise spending on children in today’s 2026-2027 National Budget.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Bebbo Pacific parenting app launch Thursday, Young called for increased investment in maternal and child health, education and child protection, saying such spending would strengthen the country’s future workforce.

“Well nourished, well stimulated, well protected, well-developed babies grow up to be far more productive students and then workers,” Young said.

“There is a direct causational line between early childhood development and labour force productivity,” he said.

Young said while the benefits of investing in children may take 18 to 20 years to be fully realised, the evidence clearly showed that early childhood development contributed to stronger economic growth.

“Investment in early childhood development is a national investment and works out in increasing GDP in the long run,” he said.

Young also urged greater investment in children’s mental health, warning that Fiji’s growing drug crisis highlighted the need for stronger support services for young people.

“They’re either addressing underlying pathologies or they’re being forced and pressured into it,” Young said, referring to young people using drugs.

said many young people who turned to drugs were self-medicating underlying anxiety and other mental health conditions.

Young said UNICEF was working closely with the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection to provide more holistic support for adolescents, including mental health services.

He said investing in children from an early age would not only improve individual outcomes but also deliver long-term social and economic benefits for Fiji…..PACNEWS

PAC – FISHERIES: FFA PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 26 Jun 2026

FFA Members prepare for Commission discussions on South Pacific albacore

WELLINGTON, 26 JUNE 2026 (FFA)—Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Members are meeting in Wellington, New Zealand, for the first South Pacific albacore allocation workshop, taking place Thursday and today.

The workshop focuses on reviewing the scientific, catch, effort data and progress discussions on the allocation of South Pacific albacore.

Workshop Chair Wez Norris said the focus is on progressing allocation discussions while recognising there is still important work to do on the implementation measure for the South Pacific albacore management procedure.

The workshop aims to establish a shared technical foundation to support informed and constructive allocation discussions.

The workshop forms part of the work programme agreed at WCPFC22, in preparation for the Commission meeting in Vanuatu later this year…..PACNEWS

FIJI – ENERGY CONSUMPTION: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: FRI 26 Jun 2026

Commercial sector remains Fiji’s largest energy consumer in 2025

SUVA, 26 JUNE 2026 (FIJI TIMES)—The commercial sector continued to account for the largest share of Fiji’s energy consumption in 2025, according to the latest provisional energy statistics released by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics.

Data shows that a total of 4.56 petajoules (PJ) of energy was available for distribution during the year. Of this amount, 0.18 PJ was lost during the distribution process, leaving 4.39 PJ available for consumption across the country.

The commercial sector consumed the largest share of available energy at 41.91 percent, equivalent to 1.84 PJ. Household consumers accounted for 38.50 percent or 1.69 PJ, while the industrial sector consumed 19.59 percent, equivalent to 0.86 PJ.

The figures indicate continued growth in energy demand across all three sectors compared to previous years.

Commercial energy usage rose from 1.58 PJ in 2024 to 1.84 PJ in 2025, while household consumption increased from 1.44 PJ to 1.69 PJ over the same period. Industrial energy use also recorded growth, rising from 0.84 PJ in 2024 to 0.86 PJ in 2025.

The data highlights a steady upward trend in energy consumption since 2019, reflecting increasing economic activity and growing demand from businesses and households.

The Bureau’s statistics also show that distribution losses remained relatively low. In 2025, 95.10 percent of available energy successfully reached consumers, while 4.90 percent was lost during distribution. This compares with 95.57 percent delivered and 4.43 percent lost in 2024.

While the proportion of energy delivered remains high, the latest figures indicate a slight increase in distribution losses compared to recent years.

The Fiji Bureau of Statistics noted that reported consumption figures by sector may not add precisely to total energy available for distribution due to independent rounding of component values…..PACNEWS

FIJI – ECONOMY: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 26 Jun 2026

Inflation risks still elevated says RBF, IMF says persistent excess liquidity is weakening Fiji’s monetary policy

SUVA, 26 JUNE 2026 (FIJI TIMES)—The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) has kept its overnight policy rate unchanged, with Governor and Board Chairman Ariff Ali saying the central bank must carefully balance rising domestic prices, maintaining adequate foreign reserves and supporting economic growth.

Ali said inflationary pressures are expected to remain elevated in the near term despite a recent easing in global oil prices, which fell to US$74 per barrel on 23 June from US$92 per barrel at the end of May following reports of a tentative, time-bound agreement between Iran and the United States.

He explained that domestic inflation continues to reflect the delayed impact of earlier increases in fuel and other imported input costs, the time needed for global oil supplies to stabilise, and Fiji’s fuel pricing system, which adjusts based on earlier, higher import costs.

The latest Fiji Bureau of Statistics figures show headline inflation reached 3.9 per cent over the past year, driven largely by higher prices for fuel, food and kava.

Ali said inflation is still projected to rise to around 6.0 per cent by the end of the year, although the outlook remains dependent on whether the Iran-U.S peace agreement holds, geopolitical tensions ease and global oil markets return to normal production levels.

Despite the inflation outlook, Ali said Fiji’s financial system remains resilient, supported by $1.6 billion (US$800 million) in liquidity as of 24 June and continued growth in private sector lending.

“The financial system is well positioned to withstand temporary global and domestic shocks,” he said.

Ali said slowing economic activity combined with inflation driven mainly by imported goods supported the decision to leave the overnight policy rate unchanged.

He said increasing borrowing costs at a time when economic growth is slowing would place unnecessary pressure on businesses and households, making it appropriate for the Reserve Bank to maintain its current monetary policy settings.

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says persistent surplus liquidity in Fiji’s banking system has weakened the effectiveness of monetary policy and is calling for stronger liquidity management to improve the transmission of interest rate decisions.

In a Selected Issues Paper prepared as part of Fiji’s 2026 Article IV consultation, the IMF said the country’s prolonged excess liquidity has been driven by strong foreign exchange inflows, government cash-management practices and limited sterilisation operations.

The report notes that Fiji’s monetary policy framework, while centred on the fixed exchange-rate peg and the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR), has been operating “de facto as a floor system” because banks continue to hold large excess reserves.

According to the IMF, the Reserve Bank of Fiji’s policy rate has had limited influence on short-term market interest rates because banks are not relying on interbank borrowing to meet their liquidity needs.

The paper states that liquidity intensified sharply during 2021 and 2022, with banks’ reserves peaking at about $2.6 billion (US$1.3 billion) before easing slightly. However, liquidity remained elevated at around $1.8 billion to $2.2 billion (US$1,1 billion) throughout 2024, well above pre-pandemic levels.

The IMF attributes the buildup to strong tourism and remittance inflows, foreign exchange interventions to maintain the Fiji dollar’s peg, and the accumulation of government deposits from donor-funded projects and external financing.

The report says the persistence of excess liquidity has reduced the signalling value of the policy rate, limiting the effectiveness of monetary policy under tightening conditions.

To strengthen monetary policy implementation, the IMF recommends that the Reserve Bank reactivate open market operations, particularly through the regular issuance of Reserve Bank of Fiji Notes, to absorb surplus liquidity.

According to the report, predictable liquidity-absorbing operations would gradually restore the role of short-term interest rates, improve price discovery in the interbank market and strengthen the transmission of monetary policy across the financial system.

The IMF concludes that while Fiji’s exchange-rate peg remains an effective anchor for price and external stability, improving liquidity management will be critical to ensuring monetary policy remains effective as economic conditions evolve……PACNEWS

FIJI – AIRLINE: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 26 Jun 2026

Fiji Airways eyes cabin upgrade

NADI, 26 JUNE 2026 (FIJI TIMES)—Fiji Airways is considering introducing a dedicated premium economy cabin as it looks to strengthen its position in the premium leisure travel market.

According to a report by Executive Traveller, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Paul Scurrah believes premium economy would complement the airline’s brand and premium service offering.

The airline currently offers Bula Space seating on its Airbus A350 aircraft, providing passengers with 34 inches of seat pitch compared with the standard 31 to 32 inches in economy class. While the seats offer extra legroom and priority boarding, they remain an economy-class product.

Scurrah told Executive Traveller that a true premium economy cabin, featuring wider seats, between 38 and 40 inches of legroom, and upgraded meals, would suit Fiji Airways.

“We strongly believe that premium economy would work well for us. It’s just making sure that the execution can be done in a way that succeeds for Fiji Airways, to make sure that we’re able to deliver on that promise,” he said.

The airline is still assessing how such a product could be introduced consistently across its fleet.

Scurrah said Fiji Airways would prefer to offer premium economy on most of its long-haul aircraft, including the Airbus A350s and Airbus A330s, although the Boeing 737 fleet may continue to operate with the existing Bula Space product.

“We want to be certain that it’s going to actually be able to be consistently delivered across our entire fleet, because we know that’s important to our customers,” he said.

While acknowledging some airlines operate different products across different aircraft types, Scurrah said Fiji Airways wanted to minimise those differences and ensure passengers receive a consistent experience wherever possible.

He said the airline would make a final decision once it had completed its evaluation of the operational and commercial requirements.

If approved, Scurrah indicated it would likely take a couple of years before premium economy is rolled out across the airline’s fleet….PACNEWS

PNG – MINING: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 26 Jun 2026

Ok Tedi mining ‘fully’ operational

PORT MORESBY, 26 JUNE 2026 (THE NATIONAL) —Operations at Ok Tedi Mining remain fully functional despite ongoing dry weather conditions and low river levels along the Fly River, says managing director and chief executive officer Kedi Ilimbit.

In a statement, Ilimbit said: “There has been no disruption to production activities, and all operations remain stable and fully functional.”

He said there are sufficient food stocks and essential supplies on site to support ongoing operations and workforce needs.

“As part of proactive planning, the company is currently assessing and implementing alternative supply routes to ensure the continued delivery of fuel, food, and other critical materials,” he said.

“These measures are being put in place to minimise any potential impact arising from reduced river levels.

“Alternate routes are currently being reviewed for exporting of copper concentrate and bringing in fuel and other supplies in the event of an El Nino.”

Ilimbit said that, unlike previous dry seasons, those routes were not available.

He said Ok Tedi remains committed to maintaining safe, reliable, and continuous operations while ensuring the wellbeing of its employees and host communities.

“The company will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary,” Ilimbit said …PACNEWS

PACNEWS INFOCUS

The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS

New Caledonia’s Northern Province debates economy, services and the future

By Nic Maclellan in Noumea

PORT VILA, 26 JUNE 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) —For decades, Paul Neaoutyine of the Parti de Libération Kanak (Palika) has led New Caledonia’s Northern Province. The long serving mayor of the east coast town of Poindimie, the veteran Kanak politician has held the post of provincial president since 1999, when New Caledonians first voted for provincial administrations after the adoption of the Noumea Accord in May 1998.

But now, as voters go to the polls on Sunday, his long administration is under challenge.

The Northern Province is the largest of New Caledonia’s three provinces, with a diverse range of industries – from agriculture and aquaculture to tourism and the mining and smelting of nickel. The province’s 17 communes (municipal councils) are spread over the east and west coasts of the main island of Grande Terre, divided by the central mountain chain that runs through the province.

Most of the population are indigenous Kanak, but there are also citizens of European heritage known as Caldoche – the descendants of the convicts and settlers who arrived during the 19th Century – and people from other ethnic communities who work in the crucial nickel sector.

The Union Nationale pour l’Indépendance (UNI) coalition has long dominated provincial politics in the rural north, with Neaoutyine at the helm. However, UNI’s campaign in the lead up to Sunday’s provincial elections has been disrupted by both personal tragedy and political disputes.

The death last week of Neaoutyine’s wife Georgina has taken the provincial president off the campaign trail, to mourn and address customary obligations.

Other UNI leaders such as Valentine Eurisouké, Joseph Goromido and Nadeige Faivre have joined younger activists to continue campaigning for “un destin commun decolonisé et partagé” (a shared, decolonised, common destiny). But the UNI campaign has also been disrupted by inner-party disputes over the failed Bougival process, an attempt to develop a new political statute to replace the Noumea Accord, the framework agreement that has governed New Caledonia since the turn of the century.

For Sunday’s election, the main challenge to Palika’s dominance comes from the UC-FLNKS list ‘Une Province Solidaire et Dynamique,’ led by Pascal Sawa. Union Calédonienne (UC) is the largest party in the main independence coalition Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS), and Sawa is seeking re-election to both the Northern Provincial Assembly and Congress of New Caledonia, hoping for a majority in the north.

Campaigning on the slogan “Your daily life – our priority,” Sawa told Islands Business that the UC-FLNKS campaign has focussed on the day-to-day priorities of rural communities around livelihoods, jobs, improved public services and better governance of the province. But the ongoing debate over the transition to independence also continues to divide the two major contenders.

Electoral competition

In New Caledonia’s Northern Province, five electoral lists are competing for Sunday’s provincial elections.

Alongside the dominant lists from UNI and UC-FLNKS, there is also one anti-independence list, Agissons ensemble pour le Nord, led by Vanessa Wacapo. This united list involving activists from different conservative groups is a rare occurrence in the north, where anti-independence parties have often competed each other in the past. This year, Wacapo hopes a united effort will win a few more seats to add to the large tally expected in the Southern Province, where the Loyalist bloc and Rassemblement party dominate local and provincial politics.

Two smaller lists in the North include the citizen’s coalition Faire Pays led by Maurice Waka-Awa, and Alternative Nord pour un pays souverain, headed by Eugène Menrempon.

Members of the UC-FLNKS list have been campaigning on both coasts of the province for weeks, trying to rally existing supporters while reaching out to younger first-time voters.

“Our program is based on five inter-connected commitments,” Sawa told Islands Business. “We want to revitalise our economy and diversify our key economic sectors; we must ensure that every resident has access to the public services to which they are entitled, wherever they live; on environment, we must connect, enhance and protect every region, and restore culture to its rightful place as the foundation of our resilience; and we will govern collectively, whilst remaining accountable at all times.”

In common with electoral lists across the country, this campaign has been marked by efforts to engage young people and renew New Caledonia’s political class.

“Ours is an inter-generational list,” said UC candidate Maria Waka. “We have our elders but also many young people on the list. Within Union Calédonienne, we always have this tradition of encouraging our young people to take responsibility but supported by our elders who have experience. This provincial election is important because we need to change things, to bring change at the level of the province and at the Congress.”

Pascal Sawa, aged 44, joked “we don’t let our young out in the wild, but ask them to assume their responsibilities as elected representatives. Each of them already has technical skills and experience that they can contribute.”

For Sawa, “our ambition for the list is to really generate a new dynamic in the province. We recognise the achievements of the provincial president and his team but feel that over the last few years things are fading.”

No surprise that the UNI campaign believes that they’re still best placed to lead the province. Addressing a campaign meeting in the west coast town of Poya, Valentine Eurisouké also highlighted the range of age and experience on the UNI list. She joined other candidates to outline UNI’s commitments on services, health, culture and environment as well as economic renewal.

No.2 on the UNI list, Eurisouké is an experienced politician who served in successive Governments of New Caledonia between 2014 and 2021, then returned to a seat in Congress. She has long been involved in health policy and social services, helping to develop the 2018 Do Kamo national health strategy.

“This election is important because we have to continue the work around the province that we’ve undertaken for many years,” Eurisouké said. “Our UNI program bears the slogan ‘United in a shared, decolonised common destiny.’ We’ve always promoted the idea of independence in partnership with France and this year we’ve asked voters for support to continue the reform of the Noumea Accord.”

Reviving nickel

Another provincial challenge is to rebuild the main export industry, the mining and smelting of nickel. In recent years New Caledonia’s three nickel smelters – operated by Koniambo Nickel SAS (KNS) in the North and Prony Resources NC and Société Le Nickel in the South – have all cut back operations.

In recent years, all three companies have faced a perfect storm, hit by soaring energy costs, industrial disputes, competition from Chinese firms in Indonesia and fluctuating nickel prices that affected debt, productivity and production. In late 2023, transnational corporation Glencore – a joint venture partner with SMSP in the Northern Province’s Koniambo smelter – announced it would sell its 49 per cent share in KNS, forcing the suspension of mining and smelting operations in February 2024. Then, on 13 May, the country erupted into six months of conflict between Kanak protestors and French security forces, setting back attempts to find a new investor.

Glencore agreed to pay for workers’ wages and for the smelter’s furnaces to be kept hot until the end of August that year, but KNS finally shut down its furnaces in September, with the loss of most of its 1,200 employees. Since then, a number of investors have considered purchasing a stake, but without any firm commitment (the Chinese firm Lygend Resources has submitted an offer to SMSP to participate in the Koniambo project – an application yet to be approved).

UNI’s Jean-Marc Voudjo was a former worker with KNS but now works as a teacher. He said that the next provincial administration must ensure the conformation of a new joint venture partner to replace Glencore.

“If we’re talking about a viable economic model, it must involve the re-opening of the northern smelter” he said. “More than 1,000 employees lost their jobs, but there were also all the sub-contractors around the site and all the workers behind them. This has had huge impacts on the VKP zone [the towns of Voh, Kone and Pouembout], affecting a wide range of businesses: from childcare to car hire and other shops. So, UNI wants to support the re-opening of the smelter.”

Throughout the campaign, each list has highlighted the need to diversify the economy, despite the ongoing potential of nickel mining and smelting. Electoral propaganda highlights the way the nickel crisis has spilled over the wider provincial economy, and many lists have pledged to assist other sectors like tourism and agriculture and resolve long-standing problems like the status of the northern port of Nepoui.

Fallout from Bougival

Despite the major focus on livelihoods, jobs and environment, the campaign in the North has also been affected by the fallout by the collapse of the Bougival process (last year’s negotiations to develop a new political statute for the French dependency).

On the campaign trail, UC’s Pascal Sawa diplomatically noted the regular absences of UNI’s Paul Neaoutyine from sessions of the Congress of New Caledonia in Noumea, and the need for the Northern Province leadership to be fully engaged in discussions on a future political status for New Caledonia.

This was a veiled comment on Neaoutyine’s late intervention around the Bougival Accord. UNI politicians played a key role in developing the draft agreement in negotiations with the French State and Loyalist parties. Neaoutyine’s key lieutenants were UNI negotiators, including Jean-Pierre Djaiwe and Alphonse Digoue of Palika, and Victor Tutugoro, president of the Union progréssiste en Mélanésie (UPM).

But as a bill to introduce the new political statute into law came before the French Senate in February, the Palika leader made a rare public intervention, through an interview in the French newspaper Le Monde. The day before the Senate vote, the veteran Kanak politician openly condemned the content of the legislation, arguing that it “marks a break with and a step backwards from the Noumea Accord and closes the door to full sovereignty for New Caledonia.”

Although the Bougival legislation passed the Senate in February, it was later rejected in a 190-107 vote by the French National Assembly in April, even without a formal debate. Since then, the collapse of the lengthy process has caused extensive debate within the UNI parliamentary group. The crisis over the new political statute has also divided grassroots activists, with dissident members of both Palika and UPM establishing a new group Unité du Peuple en Kanaky (UPK).

Last month, at an extraordinary congress at Voh, Palika suspended its participation in the Bougival process. For these provincial elections, a pro-independence list ‘Alternative Nord pour un pays souverain’ has brought together members of the UPK, the Parti Travailliste (Labour Party) and Dynamique Unitaire Sud (DUS), all critical of UNI’s stand on both local governance and political direction.

A more telling blow to UNI’s campaign in the north is the absence of the key Bougival negotiators Jean-Pierre Djaiwe and Victor Tutugoro from their electoral list, with other longstanding Palika activists also deciding not to contest the poll.

UNI’s Joseph Goromido acknowledged the tough times facing the current provincial administration.

“We’ve been in office for seven years from 2019 to today, going through periods such as COVID and the crisis in 2024,” he said. “Now we’re coming to the end of the Noumea Accord, which was signed by Paul [Neaoutyine], Roch [Wamytan], Victor [Tutugoro] and Charley [Pidjot], and then went through three referendums.

“Then there were the discussions that led to BEO [the Bougival Accord and subsequent Elysée Oudinot addendum]. This process should have led to a new Accord but this was rejected by a motion at the French National Assembly. So today, there’s no BEO and all must be discussed again about the transition towards full sovereignty, as we propose through a shared and decolonised common destiny.”

“After the elections, we must all talk again,” Goromido said, “but within this idea of a decolonised partnership. That’s why these elections are important. We must put a team in place that is strong enough to negotiate with the French State, but also to continue the work here at provincial level that we have undertaken for thirty years.”….PACNEWS

PACNEWS DIGEST

The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS

How drug demand in New Zealand and Australia is driving calls for the death penalty in Fiji

By Kya Raina Lal, Lecturer in Law, Auckland University of Technology

AUCKLAND, 26 JUNE 2026 (THE CONVERSIATION)—Fiji is at the centre of an illicit narcotics crisis described as a national emergency, driven by an escalating demand for hard drugs in Australia and New Zealand.

Drugs, particularly cocaine and methamphetamine, are now rife in Fiji. What was once solely a transit point for the international market has grown to create local demand.

Critics argue current penalties to discourage offending are not working, prompting calls for the reintroduction of the death penalty for drug offences.

Last year, the ringleaders in Fiji’s largest methamphetamine importation (more than four tonnes) were sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 30 years.

A more recent bust involving drugs destined for Australia and New Zealand netted more than two tonnes of cocaine. As large interceptions become more common, they are contributing to rising concerns about drug offending in Fiji.

But calls for the reintroduction of the death penalty are based on moral panic and fail to address the underlying issues of Fiji’s drug crisis.

Under the 2004 Illicit Drugs Act, the penalty for all drug offences is “a fine not exceeding $1,000,000(US$500,000) or life imprisonment or both”.

Prison sentences are almost guaranteed. In some cases, sentences surpass those for rape and murder. These penalties are out of line with those for offences in Australia and New Zealand when we look at comparable offending.

Yet, some argue this is not enough to dissuade drug offenders.

Fiji’s history of the death penalty

Fiji completely abolished the death penalty in 2015, with the removal from military law, making it the 99th country globally to do so.

This was prompted by the introduction of the 2013 Constitution, which guaranteed Fijians the right to life with no exception for capital punishment. The death penalty for ordinary crimes was removed in 1979 and from criminal law in 2002.

The death penalty was last used in 1964, when a young man was sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of his wife, child and grandfather.

However, Fiji last sentenced someone to death in 2002. George Speight’s sentence for treason was later commuted to life imprisonment. In 2024, he was granted a presidential pardon and released from prison, almost 25 years after overthrowing the Chaudhry government and holding members of parliament hostage for 56 days during the 2000 coup.

Out of step with other countries

Historically, Fiji has only had the death penalty for the most serious crimes, including treason, murder and genocide. Reintroducing it now for drug offences would go against established precedent.

It would also be backsliding on Fiji’s human rights commitments and be at odds with global liberalisation, including decriminalisation, harm reduction initiatives and the reduction of ineffective, lengthy prison terms.

The death penalty will not solve issues associated with drugs in Fiji. These include the HIV/AIDs crisis, the underdiagnosis and lack of treatment of mental health issues and the economic and subsistence conditions pushing individuals towards drugs for profit.

This affects particularly those with low levels of formal education, in economically underprivileged areas. The death penalty will not help disadvantaged, disaffected and disenfranchised youth. In fact, it would affect youth disproportionately as they already are the largest demographic in Fijian prisons for drug offences.

Cannabis offenders and recreational users

Cartel-backed, transnational, commercially imported hard drugs are driving this push for the death penalty.

However, the death penalty would also catch cannabis offences, which account for most drug offences in Fiji.

Cannabis is domestically cultivated and readily available. There is also an increasing discourse surrounding drug offenders and rehabilitation, assuming all drug users are addicts. This overlooks recreational users who could be caught up in this approach, should the death penalty be reintroduced.

To address drug offences, Fiji needs a multi-pronged, multi-organisational approach. This includes harm-reduction services, rehabilitation centres and prison alternatives for low-level offending, as well as greater economic incentives, sustainable development and employment opportunities.

Without addressing these issues, reintroducing the death penalty for drug offences is putting the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff.

It also risks straining diplomatic relations with a growing number of foreigners caught up in drug offences in Fiji.

In 2024, the Fijian government greenlit a feasibility study for medicinal cannabis. Turning towards local medicinal cannabis production for export and generating sales revenue and taxable income may help address a number of the stressors driving Fiji’s current drug crisis.

However, this liberalisation is at odds with broader discussions on the death penalty.

A new legal framework

This conversation around the death penalty comes amid Fiji’s review of its drug laws, looking to replace its 2004 Illicit Drugs Act with a new Counter Narcotics Bill. The bill intends to establish a specialised anti-narcotics bureau and rehabilitation services.

There has been no indication whether this bill will revise any of the current penalties for drug offences, including the potential reintroduction of the death penalty.

Given the strong diplomatic ties New Zealand and Australia maintain with Fiji, many may find the death penalty for drug offending repugnant, especially as comparable penalties in each jurisdiction are lower and their citizens are implicated.

Yet, it is the Australian and New Zealand demand for hard drugs that is driving Fiji’s drug crisis and discussions about the death penalty….PACNEWS

Kya Raina Lal is a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of Fiji and is affiliated with Lal Patel Bale Lawyers, Fiji.