In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Quad’s Fiji port plan will challenge China’s Pacific supply-chain dominance
2. FIJI — Pasifika for Palestine Australia and APAN condemn Israeli Embassy opening in Fiji
3. SAMOA — Head of State calls on Samoa to step into a new beginning with confidence & hope
4. PACIFIC — PNG takes centre stage as regional media summit tackles digital threat
5. FIJI — People First Party ready for election, says Seruiratu
6. SAMOA — Australian Governor opens Samoa’s Parliament Office Complex
7. FIJI — Fiji PM Rabuka FICAC stay bid hears Tribunal claim, appeal next year
8. PNG — PNG MP Bird calls for El Nino preparedness
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Google and Telstra partner to connect Australia and bolster its digital future
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Welfare breakdown: Inquiry into Fijian living in squalor under Sydney overpass
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji Government accused of profiting from fuel crisis
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Unions and labour experts hail landmark UN ruling protecting workers’ right to strike
13. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Military buildup triggers housing crisis in Guam, outpricing residents
14. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Fiji’s National Referendum Bill: what it says, what it restricts, and why it matters
15. PACNEWS DIGEST — FAO supports Samoa and Fiji in bilateral forestry knowledge exchange to build climate resilience
16. PACNEWS DIGEST — From Libyan deserts to 3D-printed guns: The weapons that never go away
PAC – DIPLOMACY: RADIO FREE ASIA PACNEWS 3: Tue 02 Jun 2026
Quad’s Fiji port plan will challenge China’s Pacific supply-chain dominance
NEW DELHI/SUVA, 02 JUNE 2026 (RADIO FREE ASIA) — A plan by the United States, Japan, India and Australia to collaboratively invest in port infrastructure in Fiji is a step towards challenging China’s hegemony over supply chains in the region while simultaneously signaling to Pacific island countries that the four regional powers can give them a better deal than Beijing can, experts told Radio Free Asia.
The plan was unveiled earlier this week in New Delhi, after a meeting of foreign ministers of member nations in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) alliance, or Quad.
Fiji was likely chosen because of its strategic location as a convergence point for many global shipping lanes, Gregory Brown, director of the Alliance Futures Initiative, a Washington-based think tank, told RFA.
“Fiji sits at the crossroads of the South Pacific and is the natural logistics hub for everything moving between Australia, New Zealand, and the wider island chain,” said Brown.
“If you’re going to build one port that serves the whole Pacific, you build it where the shipping lanes converge—and that is Suva, the fulcrum for the region.”
According to a fact sheet published by the U.S State Department, the Tuesday’s meeting focused on maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity and security, critical and emerging technology, and humanitarian assistance and emergency response.
“Following the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership conference hosted in India in October 2025, the Quad committed to identifying critical port projects that it can support to increase trade and economic prosperity by increasing port infrastructure and capacity for key Indo-Pacific corridors,” the fact sheet said.
“As such, we are proud to announce that the Quad countries will work with the Government of Fiji, to advance port infrastructure and associated activities in the country.”
The port project would be a major Western infrastructure project in a region that has seen increasing investments from China in recent years, as Beijing and the West jostle for geopolitical influence.
Through the port project, the Quad hopes to send a message to Fiji and other Pacific Island countries that there are alternatives to working closely with China.
In recent years, Beijing has been aggressively investing in Pacific Island infrastructure as part of its Belt and Road Initiative.
The plan has been criticised as a “debt-trap”—partner countries borrow heavily to finance bridges, roads or seaports, but when they struggle to repay, China gains leverage and control.
Fiji owes roughly US$110 million to Chinese state banks, or about 6.5 percent of its external debt, according to its Ministry of Finance. While this figure is relatively small compared to other creditors like Japan (9.7 percent) the World Bank (36.3 percent) and the Asian Development Bank (38.7 percent), the nature of loans from the other major creditors are “highly concessional,” and have longer payback windows than the Chinese loans.
“China’s model in the Pacific is loans,” said Brown. “The debt becomes a strategic instrument.”
Brown noted that the Quad’s plan is to fund the Fiji port project primarily through grants, allowing Suva to avoid falling into a debt-trap.
“China lends, the Quad gives,” he said. “For a country the size of Fiji, that’s the entire calculation.”
China also provides grants to international partners, but only at a fraction of the United States. According to a March 2025 report by the Washington-based Brookings Institution, Chinese aid spending totaled about 14.6 percent of that of the United States between 2013-2018, and grants totaled 47.3 percent of this aid.
The report said that grants are “traditional foreign aid projects in the Western definition” and said that it was a “common misperception” that China’s Belt and Road Initiative is aid.
Still, the prospect of a partnership with Beijing for these projects is attractive. Brown recalled how Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka toured ports during a visit to China in 2024 and discussed potential partnerships for port modernisation.
“The Quad didn’t randomly choose Fiji,” he said. “This pitch is a direct counterbid.”
He said that Fiji is the biggest, most visible island nation in the Pacific, and should the project be successful, it would send a message that “resonates across the region.”
“I think the whole point is to show the Pacific island countries that there’s a better deal available than Beijing’s,” said Brown.
Should the Quad’s port project in Fiji prove successful, the climate could be ripe for port upgrades in other parts of the region.
U.S Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at a press conference following the Quad meeting that the Fiji project would “serve as a model for other projects in the future.”
Port infrastructure in the Pacific is much needed, Cleo Paskal, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Foundation for Defence of Democracies research institute, told RFA.
“The choice of Fiji is a relatively easy first step – a location that is relatively high profile and dovetails with Australian and Indian priorities,” she said. “Ideally the next choice will be infrastructure in locations that make an even stronger statement, and difference, such as Bina Harbor in Solomon Islands.”
She also noted that the Pacific Island countries that still recognise Taiwan–Marshall Islands, Palau and Tuvalu–would be ripe for cooperation with the Quad, because Chinese infrastructure projects in those countries would be problematic from Beijing’s point of view.
“I expect this is a pilot. If it works, we’ll replicate it,” said Brown. “The real question is whether the Quad can deliver this project on time and within budget.”
Though the port has been announced, construction will not start overnight, as Fiji has yet to agree to the project, Fiji’s foreign minister Sakiasi Ditoka said to Indian news outlet The Hindu.
Ditoka confirmed that Fiji was in discussions on port infrastructure with the Millennium Challenge Corporation, or MCC, a bilateral U.S foreign aid agency.
The U.S State Dept announced in March that the MCC signed an agreement with Fiji for a US$12 million grant “to support design and feasibility studies,” which Ditoka said were focused on ports and Fiji’s business regulatory environment.
When asked about the port and an initiative on maritime surveillance discussed at the Quad meeting, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning restated China’s stance on the Quad that cooperation between countries should not target a third party, and that China opposes “forming exclusive groupings or engaging in bloc confrontation.”
Beyond the port and maritime surveillance, other projects unveiled at the meeting included a minerals investment framework, an initiative on energy security, and a promise to ensure that countries in the region are connected via undersea cables “by 2026.”
Brown believes these commitments indicate a “qualitative shift” away from talking about Pacific strategy to announcing “concrete deliverables.”
“The Pacific is where great power competition will be decided, and the Quad just acknowledged it,” Brown said. “That is, the U.S has limited resources and has to concentrate them where the strategic stakes are highest.”
He said the port is the Quad’s “belated recognition” that it needs to compete in the region.
“The Quad is essentially saying: we’re not going to let one country control the infrastructure through which strategic resources move,” he said…. PACNEWS
FIJI – DIPLOMACY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Tue 02 Jun 2026
Pasifika for Palestine Australia and APAN condemn Israeli Embassy opening in Fiji
SUVA, 02 JUNE 2026 (PACNEWS) — Pasifika for Palestine Australia and the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) have strongly condemned the opening of Israel’s embassy in Suva, accusing the Fiji Government of deepening ties with Israel despite ongoing international criticism over the war in Gaza and Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.
The criticism comes as Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar visits Fiji to officially inaugurate the new diplomatic mission.
In a joint statement, the two groups said the embassy opening represents a further strengthening of relations between Fiji and Israel, following Fiji’s decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem in September 2025.
Sa’ar reportedly described Fiji as “one of Israel’s most consistent supporters in the United Nations.”
The groups argued that Fiji’s diplomatic engagement with Israel contradicts international legal obligations and raised concerns about growing cooperation between the two countries in trade, security and technology.
The statement highlighted to a cybersecurity Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2025 and discussions regarding the possible supply of Israeli patrol boats to the Fiji Navy.
“We stand in solidarity with our Pasifika community calling out the opening of an Israeli embassy in Fiji. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has been unequivocal: states must not recognise, assist or normalise Israel’s unlawful presence in occupied Palestinian territory. Fiji is doing all three. Across the Pacific our complicity in genocide and apartheid must end.”
Kavita Naidu, spokesperson for Pasifika for Palestine, said Pacific communities and Palestinians share a common struggle.
“From the Pacific to Palestine, we stand together in our responsibility to end Israel’s genocide, occupation and apartheid. The opening of the Israeli embassy in Suva and the repression of those protesting is an act of complicity. Where the governments of Australia and Fiji have failed, the people will continue to resist.”
APAN Executive Officer Katie Shammas said Fiji’s support for Israel would surprise many Australians.
“Many Australians would be shocked to know that far from its paradise image, Fiji has become one of the most active supporters of Israel’s conduct in the Pacific bloc. The Fijian government is also repressing communities who are protesting against the ongoing atrocities in Gaza and West Bank.”
Shammas also questioned Fiji’s priorities at a time when the country faces social and economic challenges.
“Fiji is grappling with a health and economic crisis, so it boggles the mind that their priority is not on their people but on building diplomatic relationships with an apartheid state committing genocide.”
She added: “It is a profound embarrassment that Pacific governments demand the world to respect international law on climate change while actively covering up violations of that same body of law for Palestine.”
The two organisations called on the Fiji Government to close its diplomatic mission in Jerusalem, suspend all security and military cooperation with Israel, and protect the right to peaceful protest.
They also urged the Australian Government to oppose Fiji’s diplomatic moves and reject any involvement in Israeli military or security cooperation in the Pacific.
The groups further called on members of the Pacific Islands Forum to uphold international law and resist what they described as Israeli efforts to build diplomatic support within the Pacific region…. PACNEWS
SAMOA – INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION: TALAMUA MEDIA PACNEWS 3: Tue 02 Jun 2026
Head of State calls on Samoa to step into a new beginning with confidence & hope
APIA, 02 JUNE 2026 (TALAMUA MEDIA) — Samoa Head of State, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi 11 said the 64th celebration of Samoa’s independence was not only a historic milestone, but a time to reflect and remember the sacrifice by our forefathers in order for Samoa to be free from colonial rule.
Those who paved the way and have died for Samoa’s freedom were “pioneers whose unyielding vision, courage, and ultimate sacrifice secured for Samoa the right to govern its own affairs.”
Addressing the nation at the celebrations of its 64th independence anniversary, he said the foundations the forefathers established through faith and determination and enduring legacy serves as a guiding light for every generation of our nation.
“In reviewing the history of our country over the past sixty-four years, we recognise a journey defined by resilience and collective hope, as Samoa experienced periods of prosperity as well as times of significant national trials,” he said.
He noted such trials include natural disasters, economic challenges, and global uncertainties yet the spirit of our people remained unbroken as we have consistently drawn our strength from an unshakeable faith in the Almighty God,
It also includes family rooted connection, deep reverence for the Samoan cultural heritage, and our sacred covenant with one another which cemented the enduring foundation that brings us to the theme of this year’s celebration “Samoa United for a New Beginning.”
He said a new beginning does not mean diminishing our history or forgetting our origins.
“Rather, it requires that we carry forward the deep wisdom of our ancestors while decisively embracing the responsibilities of the future by renewing our commitment to the fundamental principles of mutual respect, service, compassion, integrity, and our foundational Christian faith, which define our identity,” he said.
He believes that unity has always been the ultimate safeguard of Samoa national stability as it is woven into the fabric of everyday lives within the families, the villages, the churches, and the communities.
“It is the collective spirit that enables us to stand resolute in times of adversity and to rejoice as one people in times of success. In this era, maintaining that national bond is paramount,” he said.
The word is advancing and it brings “shifting realities-from the reach of new digital tools to the impacts of a changing climate and the pressures of a global economy.
“These movements bring both new doors to open and serious hurdles to meet,” he said.
He believes that the Government cannot hold such changes and challenges alone.
“It calls for the hands and hearts of every single Samoan. It demands the shared dedication of our leaders and people at all levels of our society; the wisdom of our elders; the innovation of our youth; the industry of those working our lands; and the enduring loyalty of our diaspora,” he said.
“Our young people stand at the absolute centre of this new chapter and as the future custodians of our heritage, we have a collective duty to invest heavily in their education, support their diverse talents, reinforce their moral values, and provide the stable frameworks necessary for them to flourish,” he said.
For this to become a reality, Samoa needs to secure the advancement of its youth by ensuring that Samoa remains a strong, innovative, and confident nation.
He urged Samoa to commit to building a nation that is prosperous, fair, and sustainable and strive for a society where every citizen has an equitable opportunity to succeed and a country that protects its environment for generations yet unborn; and a state that unswervingly upholds the principles of justice, peace, and good governance.
“On this Independence Day, let us re-confirm our promises to one another and to our country. Let us put aside division and embrace true cooperation. Let us replace distrust with mutual understanding. Together, let us step into this new beginning with confidence, hope, and clear determination.,” he said.
He acknowledged the role of the church leaders, the Prime Minister and Government, Parliament, and the Judiciary for their steadfast commitment to upholding the law and preserving justice in our land.
He also commended all Government Ministries and Corporations, private sector, the business community, and the wider public for your collective contributions to the development, security, and well-being of our country.
“To our development partners, thank you for continuing to work alongside our government and people in the spirit of mutual respect and trusted collaboration, and those who have travelled afar to joining the celebration.
“May the observance of this Sixty-Fourth Anniversary of Independence be marked by peace, harmony, and enduring prosperity.”
After his independence address, the Member of the Council of Deputies, Malietoa Moli Malietoa raised the flag as the police discharged 21 gun-salute.
This was followed by a three-hour long parade of schools, and an unprecedented number of local and overseas groups and organisations and government ministries led by the Police Brass band…. PACNEWS
PAC – MEDIA MEET: NBC PNG NEWS PACNEWS 3: Tue 02 Jun 2026
PNG takes centre stage as regional media summit tackles digital threat
PORT MORESBY, 02 JUNE 2026 (NBC PNG NEWS) — Papua New Guinea has taken centre stage in shaping the future of regional journalism as media executives, broadcasters, and editors from across the region converged on APEC Haus today for the 16th Pacific Media Partnership Conference (PMPC).
This year’s theme is Resilient Voices: Empowering Blue Pacific Media.
The national broadcaster, the National Broadcasting Corporation of PNG is hosting the conference with support from the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU).
The two-day conference, which starts today, opens against a backdrop of intense digital disruption, rising misinformation, and economic pressures threatening the independence of Pacific newsrooms.
NBC Managing Director Kora Nou and Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Secretary-General Ahmed Nadeem will deliver the opening addresses, setting the tone for urgent high-level discussions on media resilience in 2026.
NBC deputy managing director Michael Samuga said regional leaders would focus on forward-looking strategies rather than just discussing existing challenges.
“Key amongst them is the CEO panel, and that comprises chief executives of Pacific broadcasters,” Samuga said.
“They will discuss… more of looking forward and what are the areas that Pacific media can collaborate in strengthening our storytelling in the region and to the world.”
Samuga said the conference would conclude with a joint communiqué outlining action items and future plans for regional media cooperation.
ABU head of radio Andrew Davies said holding face-to-face discussions was critical given the vast geographical distances between Pacific island nations.
Davies said this year’s sessions would tackle heavy-hitting issues, from safety in journalism to financial sustainability and joint content creation.
“This year the focus is very much going to be on some key topics about covering challenging topics particularly for journalists, but also through to topics like monetisation,” he said.
“But also, things about partnerships and co-productions and how Pacific media across the ABU membership can work together more closely, whether that’s in sport or in news.”
31 international delegates have travelled from Tuvalu, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Australia and New Zealand to attend.
They will be joined by 110 local participants from Papua New Guinea’s media and public relations sectors. The conference runs from 02 – 03 June.
Over the next 48 hours, delegates will discuss challenges facing the regional press gallery, including reporting on sensitive national security and social issues, climate crisis journalism, and navigating the rise of artificial intelligence and digital disinformation.
A series of workshops will roll out practical blueprints for radio scheduling, low-cost content production, and modern digital distribution, which are practical tools aimed at helping resource-constrained Pacific broadcasters protect their independence and expand their audience reach.
The conference will conclude tomorrow with the signing of a historic joint communiqué.
The document is expected to lock in a unified regional strategy, setting strict priorities for future funding, technical cooperation, and editorial solidarity among Pacific media houses…. PACNEWS
FIJI – ELECTION/POLITICS: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 3: Tue 02 Jun 2026
People First Party ready for election, says Seruiratu
SUVA, 02 JUNE 2026 (FIJI SUN) — The newly formed People First Party is continuing its preparations for the next general election and is ready to contest, according to Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu.
Seruiratu made the remarks during an interview on Veiliutaki Show, a public affairs programme broadcast on Mai TV hosted by Jokatama Qio.
During the interview, Qio noted that many people view Seruiratu and Savenaca Narube as among the leading political figures who could challenge Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at the next election.
Responding to the suggestion that he is a political “strongman”, Seruiratu expressed appreciation for the confidence placed in him by supporters but rejected the label.
“I am not the strongman. It is not my wisdom or strength; I rely on the power and guidance of Almighty God,” he said.
Seruiratu said the formation of the People First Party followed the dissolution of FijiFirst and was driven by the wishes of supporters rather than personal ambition.
“When FijiFirst was gone, members went their separate ways. When we established this new party, it was not our desire or original plan. We listened to those who chose and supported us,” he said.
He reminded supporters that FijiFirst secured the largest number of seats in Parliament at the last general election and said the party remained committed to representing those voters.
Seruiratu said the formation of the new party would bring a fresh direction and style of leadership.
“There will be change,” he said.
He confirmed that the party was continuing its preparations to ensure it was fully ready for the next election.
“We are ready for the general election,” he said.
Seruiratu also reflected on leadership transitions, drawing parallels with the biblical figures Moses and Joshua, and stressed the importance of respecting and supporting leaders.
He said the party intended to campaign truthfully and ethically, avoiding deception and remaining committed to integrity.
Thanking their supporters, Seruiratu said the party’s foundation was built on honesty, truth and service to the people.
“Our mission is to serve the people faithfully, grounded in truth and integrity,” he said.
Politicians who use lies and deceit to gain entry into Parliament will not remain in leadership positions for long, Seruiratu said.
He emphasised the importance of maintaining personal integrity and faith-based values in politics, noting that many people view politics negatively because of dishonesty and deceit.
“A lot of people have a negative view of politics because they see it as bad, dirty and deceitful.
“As a politician, when you are doing something that is right, clean and truthful, you will feel at peace. I have to ensure that I do not lie because it does not align with the beliefs of my faith denomination. I do not drink yaqona. Some people, when they join politics, drift away from their faith.
“When you do your work, do it in a clean, rightful and truthful way.”
He said involvement in government should not compromise a person’s beliefs or moral standards and advocated truthfulness, humility and service as guiding principles.
“The principles I have always grounded myself in are first, to set a Christ-like example; second, to serve with humility; and third, to always have a good heart.”
The Opposition Leader drew parallels between political service and religious ministry, saying leadership should be grounded in service and integrity.
He reaffirmed his commitment to truthful leadership and said the party was preparing for future elections…. PACNEWS
SAMOA – PARLIAMENT: TALAMUA MEDIA PACNEWS 3: Tue 02 Jun 2026
Australian Governor opens Samoa’s Parliament Office Complex
APIA, 02 JUNE 2026 (TALAMUA MEDIA) — At the celebration of Samoa’s 64th anniversary of independence, Australian Governor-General, Sam Mostyn and Samoan Prime Minister Afioga La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, ceremoniously opened the new Samoan Parliamentary Precinct Monday.
Australia is investing AUD$34.1 million (WST66 million) in the building complex that will host the offices of the Honourable Speaker, the Honourable Clerk, parliamentary committee meeting rooms, a parliamentary library, archives and conference facilities.
The project was first announced by the former Governor-General of Australia, Dame Quentin Bryce in 2012 to support the Government of Samoa’s refurbishment of parliament.
The Speaker of Parliament, Auapa’au Mulipola Aloitafua reflected on the significance of the occasion, recalling a pivotal moment in 2012.
Dame Quentin Bryce, then Governor-General of Australia, became the first foreign dignitary in 30 years, to address Samoa’s parliament.
During that visit, she announced Australia’s commitment to support Samoa’s parliamentary development as a gift for Samoa’s 50th independence anniversary.
Monday, that vision has become a reality through the partnership and dedication of both countries.
Auapa’au Mulipola highlighted the importance of the partnership, which has lasted for more than 55 years, emphasizing the deep friendship between the two nations.
The new precinct consists of three key buildings:
*Legislative Assembly Office funded by Australia,
* Parliament of Samoa (Maota Fono) jointly funded by Australia and Samoa,
*The Members’ Lobby (Laufatasaga Kalapu Members Lounge), funded by Samoa.
Governor- General of Australia, Sam Mostyn, expressed her pride in the shared values between the two nations.
“Australia and Samoa share the same commitment to strengthening democracy, institutions, governance, and community access to parliamentary processes,” she said.
She emphasised that the buildings inaugurated Monday uphold these democratic principles.
Prime Minister Schmidt reiterated the close relationship between Samoa and Australia, describing it as a family bond that continues to grow stronger through mutual support and collaboration.
Australia has invested a total of AUD 48.8 million (approximately WST 94.2 million) to support the development of the parliamentary precinct. Of this, AUD 34.1 million (around WST 66 million) was allocated to build the Samoa Legislative Assembly Office (LAO).
The official opening ceremony was marked by the ribbon-cutting performed by Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt and Governor Genera Sam Mostyn.
The event concluded with the planting of the Fetau – the Tree of Friendship as a tree common to Australia and Samoa and planted jointly by Her Excellency Sam Mostyn and the Head of State, Afioga Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Eti Sualauvi II.
This new complex signifies not only a shared commitment to democracy but also the deep-rooted friendship that continues to grow between Samoa and Australia, reinforcing their partnership for generations to come.
Guests then had a guided tour of the first floor of the main building as more work needs to be done to complete the project with the MPs lounge expected to be completed by the end of this month…. PACNEWS
FIJI – COURTS: MAI TV PACNEWS 3: Tue 02 Jun 2026
Fiji PM Rabuka FICAC stay bid hears Tribunal claim, appeal next year
SUVA, 02 JUNE 2026 (MAI TV) — Claims that Fiji’s President felt “threatened” by the prospect of a tribunal were heard in court this week as Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka sought to suspend a ruling that declared the removal of former FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali unlawful, pending an appeal expected to be heard next year.
The allegation was raised by Malimali’s lawyer, Tanya Waqanika, during a hearing Monday on Rabuka’s application for a permanent stay of execution of a High Court ruling delivered by Justice Dane Tuiqereqere on 02 February.
The Prime Minister is seeking to pause the effect of the judgment while his appeal against the decision proceeds.
Waqanika told the court that recordings of Judicial Services Commission (JSC) meetings showed the President felt threatened by the prospect of being referred to a tribunal, arguing that it undermined the basis of the Prime Minister’s legal challenge.
The Prime Minister’s lawyer, Simione Valenitabua, rejected the claim, insisting Rabuka filed the appeal “on his own volition” as a dissatisfied litigant and denying any improper motive behind the proceedings.
The key issue is a constitutional question over who has the authority to advise the President on the appointment and removal of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Commissioner.
Valenitabua argued that Section 82 of the Constitution gives the Prime Minister and Cabinet executive authority to advise the President and that, because the Constitution is Fiji’s supreme law, it overrides provisions of the FICAC Act. He said this meant Rabuka was entitled to advise the President to revoke Malimali’s appointment.
However, Justice Tuiqereqere questioned why that constitutional argument was not raised during the original High Court proceedings. He said that the issue had not formed part of the government’s case at the time and asked why it was only being advanced now.
Valenitabua acknowledged the argument may not have been included in his original submissions but maintained that it raised an important question of law that should ultimately be determined by the Court of Appeal.
Waqanika disagreed, arguing that the FICAC Act specifically reserves the power to advise the President on such matters to the independent Judicial Services Commission.
She accused the Prime Minister of unlawfully assuming powers belonging to the commission after claiming it had become “paralysed”, describing the move as a “constitutional coup”.
Waqanika also warned of potential conflicts of interest if the Prime Minister’s interpretation were accepted, noting that several Cabinet ministers are currently under investigation by FICAC.
According to Waqanika, allowing politicians to directly influence decisions on the appointment or removal of the anti-corruption chief would undermine the independence of the institution and create opportunities for abuse.
Pending the outcome of the appeal, Rabuka is seeking orders that would maintain the status quo, including keeping Lavi Rokoika in place as Acting FICAC Commissioner.
Waqanika opposed that arrangement, arguing that Rokoika’s appointment did not follow the proper process and noting that she had not been shortlisted when applications were initially assessed for the permanent position.
The State, represented by Deputy Solicitor-General Eliesa Tuiloma as an interested party, told the court it supports the Prime Minister’s application for a stay.
Justice Tuiqereqere’s February ruling found that the Prime Minister acted unlawfully when he advised the President to revoke Malimali’s appointment and held that the power to make such recommendations rests with the Judicial Services Commission under the FICAC Act.
A decision on the stay application is expected next Monday…. PACNEWS
PNG – EL NINO: NBC PNG NEWS PACNEWS 3: Tue 02 Jun 2026
PNG MP Bird calls for El Nino preparedness
PORT MOREBY, 02 JUNE 2026 (NBC PNG NEWS) — East Sepik governor Allan Bird has sounded the alarm in Papua New Guinea Parliament, urging national preparedness for the El Niño weather pattern forecast between September and October this year, and expected to last through March 2027.
Bird said Papua New Guinea could face severe impacts if swift action is not taken to safeguard communities, food security, and water supplies.
He recalled the devastating 1997 El Niño, when rivers and creeks dried up and food shortages struck the Highlands region.
“The impact of the 1997 El Niño was felt worldwide. Scientists have predicted that this cycle will be much worse than the previous one,” Bird said.
He emphasised the urgency of early preparation, noting that during the 1997 event, 65 percent of PNG’s rural population was hit hard, while fires across the Indonesian rainforest sent thick smoke and ash drifting over PNG.
Bird called on the government to work closely with institutions such as the National Agriculture and Research Institute (NARI), which has been breeding drought resistant crops.
“I’m happy to note that NARI is working on a lot of drought resistant crops. These need to be planted next month and distributed widely, particularly sweet potato and cassava. If we don’t act quickly, the government will face a very large food bill, and just like 1997, we may be forced to ask the Australian government for help again.”
He also warned of the aftermath ofthe La Niña period, which typically follows El Niño with heavy rains, flooding, and landslips.
“The science is well documented. I am only echoing what our scientists are saying,” Bird said.
His remarks, delivered during grievance debate, outlines the urgency for coordinated planning and resource mobilisation to mitigate the looming crisis…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – SUBMARINE CABLE: GOOGLE/TELSTRA PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 02 Jun 2026
Google and Telstra partner to connect Australia and bolster its digital future
SYDNEY, 02 JUNE 2026 (GOOGLE/TELSTRA) —- Google and Telstra today announced a partnership to enhance the reach, reliability, resilience, and security of Australia and the Asia-Pacific region’s digital infrastructure.
This partnership will enable both companies to deliver faster, more secure connectivity for Australians using their deep network infrastructure expertise.
Jointly announced by Bikash Koley, Vice President, Global Infrastructure, Google, and Steven Worrall, CEO, Telstra Digital Infrastructure, the partnership represents a significant step forward in securing Australia’s digital and AI future, delivering access to important digital infrastructure that will unlock new economic opportunities and support the modernization of Australian industries.
Specific to terrestrial and subsea connections, Google and Telstra will deliver resilient and secure connectivity across Australia, including:
*Terrestrial fiber infrastructure: Google will secure inter-city dark fiber capacity on Telstra’s new state-of-the-art fiber backbone, the Aura Network. By unlocking new opportunities along some of Australia’s key connectivity corridors, this capacity gives more Australian households and businesses the opportunity to connect faster and more securely with the rest of the world.
*Subsea network integration: Telstra will access Google’s Pacific Connect and Australia Connect initiatives to use subsea fiber pairs on the Tabua, Proa, and Bulikula subsea cable systems. These systems provide Australia with vital connectivity links to Japan, the Pacific Islands, and the United States, reinforcing Australia’s potential as a regional connectivity hub.
*Robust security and resilience: By integrating terrestrial and subsea routes, Telstra and Google will each remove single points of network failure, helping to ensure continuous, secure data flows.
Google has selected Telstra and the Aura Network for this partnership to further advance Google’s AI capabilities in Australia. At the same time, this partnership will enable Telstra to deliver diverse and secure subsea pathways to ensure the nation’s networks are equipped to handle the growing demands of AI applications and workloads.
Google is working toward a future where every local community and business in Australia has access to the very best of its services and AI capabilities. This partnership will help ensure Google’s AI services are underpinned by the same reliability and security that Australians have trusted Google to provide for more than two decades, supported by Telstra’s long-standing leadership in national connectivity and its proven ability to deliver resilient, secure infrastructure at scale.
As AI applications and workloads continue to grow rapidly, the underlying infrastructure must evolve to securely and reliably support data flows not only within Australia, but also across key international corridors.
This partnership addresses that need directly. The connective terrestrial and subsea infrastructure will provide redundant routing paths, minimise the risk of disruptions and ensure that businesses, government services, and everyday Australians can experience uninterrupted, high-speed connectivity.
“Building digital infrastructure capable of supporting the next wave of AI innovation requires deep collaboration and robust physical networks,” said Bikash Koley, Vice President, Global Infrastructure, Google.
“This partnership brings together Google’s global subsea capabilities and network innovations and Telstra’s terrestrial reach to ensure Australians have the secure, high-capacity, and resilient digital services they require to compete globally.”
“This partnership is about enhancing our national capability and ensuring that Australia remains seamlessly connected to the global economy,” said Steven Worrall, CEO, Telstra Digital Infrastructure.
“The Aura Network is the backbone of Australia’s digital future; connectivity is its lifeblood. With more than 8,000 kilometres already laid across the country and the launch of the Melbourne-Canberra-Sydney coastal routes late last year, the Aura rollout is gathering significant momentum. By also securing fiber pairs along high-demand global routes, Telstra is building resilient, secure, and scalable infrastructure that will power the next industrial revolution in a way that supports sustainable, disciplined growth in the long term.”
“This partnership with Google reflects our shared commitment to Australia and the Pacific at a critical moment, as AI and data-intensive technologies reshape economies. Together, we’re building the AI-ready connectivity that enables communities and regions to participate fully in the digital economy—supporting innovation and reinforcing Australia’s role as a regional enabler for cloud, data, and AI ecosystems across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond,” added Worrall…. PACNEW
FIJI – PALM WORKERS: FIJI SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 02 Jun 2026
Welfare breakdown: Inquiry into Fijian living in squalor under Sydney overpass
SUVA, 02 JUNE 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Investigations have commenced into the shocking welfare failure of a Fijian in Australia who worked under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme.
Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, Agni Deo Singh confirmed the inquiry follows a footage of a Fijian father of four living rough in squalor under a concrete underpass in Sydney.
The Fijian man, who admitted in the video taken by blogger Bula Brothers Abroad, that he went to Australia under the PALM scheme, lived in a tent under a Sydney bypass with two more people, a woman from Vietnam and a man from East Timor.
Scattered across the dirt were an old mattress slumped against a rusted bed frame and a pile of discarded clothes, including what appears to be female clothing, fluttering in the draft of the heavy traffic overhead.
For the past year, this has been home for a skilled worker from Macuata, Vanua Levu, who is now exposed as just one piece of a hidden humanitarian crisis brewing beneath Australia’s transit lanes.
However, claims have surfaced that the man had a drinking problem and was usually absent where he was previously employed. A Fijian family claimed on social media that they had taken the man in, but he was unenthusiastic about working.
“Our NEC (National Employment Centre) people back home together with the Country Liaison officers and the Fiji High Commission are investigating,” Singh confirmed.
“A statement will be issued once the investigation is done.”
Australia’s High Commissioner to Fiji Peter Roberts said he was concerned to hear about the case.
“We are working with Fijian authorities to understand the details. The Australian Government takes the welfare of PALM workers seriously. Workers can access a range of onshore support in Australia, including through dedicated Country Liaison Officers,” he said.
“The Australian Government seeks to, wherever possible, support disengaged workers to return. Workers who have left the PALM scheme are encouraged to contact the Australian Department of Employment and Workplace Relations to discuss what options are available to them, including re-engagement.”
The man was initially deployed to an abattoir in Tamworth, New South Wales.
However, he claimed in the video that the isolation and displacement took a devastating toll when his marital difficulties crippled his mental wellbeing and work performance.
He said this resulted in him disengaging himself from his employment and without the immediate pastoral care and sponsorship of his employer, he became entirely disconnected from the grid.
The harsh reality was brought to light by popular Fijian digital creator Bula Boys Abroad, who tracked down the former worker after reports surfaced of iTaukei citizens sleeping rough in Sydney.
The creator’s harrowing video footage revealed that the metropolitan underpass has transformed into a makeshift international squatter community.
The man’s situation is further complicated by his claims of losing his passport, leaving him legally and logistically stranded in a bureaucratic limbo, unable to seek legitimate help or return home…. PACNEWS
FIJI – FUEL CRISIS: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 02 Jun 2026
Fiji Government accused of profiting from fuel crisis
SUVA, 02 JUNE 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Fiji Opposition MP Premila Kumar has accused the Coalition Government of benefiting from rising fuel prices while failing to provide meaningful relief to households and businesses struggling with escalating living costs.
In a social media post, Kumar claimed the Government collects almost a dollar in taxes from every litre of diesel sold, arguing that higher fuel prices are boosting Government revenue at the expense of ordinary Fijians.
“For every litre of diesel $4.58 (US$2.29) government collects 97 cents (US$0.48) in tax, consisting of 46 cents (US$0.23) in duty and 51 cents (US$0.25) in VAT,” Kumar said.
She noted that a motorist purchasing 50 litres of diesel would pay $48.50 (US$24.35) in taxes alone.
Kumar said fuel was not just another commodity but a cost that flowed through every sector of the economy, driving up transport costs, freight charges, food prices and business expenses.
“The result is a further squeeze on family budgets,” she said.
She argued that as fuel prices rise, VAT collections also increase, creating a situation where Government revenue grows automatically while consumers bear the full impact of higher prices.
“In other words, the higher the fuel price, the more revenue the government receives without lifting a finger to provide meaningful relief.”
Kumar contrasted Fiji’s response with measures taken in other countries during periods of high fuel prices. She pointed to Australia’s temporary 50 percent reduction in fuel excise and Malaysia’s ongoing fuel subsidy programme as examples of governments cushioning consumers from global fuel price shocks.
She said Fiji had instead allowed fuel prices to climb sharply over recent months.
According to Kumar, diesel prices have increased by 76 cents (US$0.38) per litre since May, while motor spirit prices have risen by 80cents (US$0.40) per litre. She also highlighted increases in LPG, kerosene and premix fuel prices.
“These are not small adjustments. They represent substantial increases that affect every household and every business in the country.”
Kumar also questioned the Government’s decision not to use additional Australian budget support for direct fuel relief.
She said the Australian Government had provided AUD$30 million (US$21 million) in additional budget support to help Fiji address the fuel crisis, but Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad had confirmed in Parliament that the funding would not be used to directly reduce fuel costs for consumers.
“This question is, if other countries can temporarily reduce fuel taxes or offer direct relief during periods of exceptional fuel price increases, why is Fiji unwilling to provide meaningful assistance to families and businesses facing the same pressures?”
Kumar said a responsible government should share the burden during difficult economic times rather than protecting its revenue position while households struggle with transport, food, electricity and education costs.
“The government cannot continue celebrating strong revenue collections while ordinary citizens struggle to pay for transport, food, electricity, school expenses, and other essentials.”
She ended her criticism with a swipe at the Coalition Government’s handling of the situation, saying: “Thank God this government was not there during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have no idea what they are doing.” …. PACNEWS
PAC – RIGHT TO STRIKE: PMN PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 02 Jun 2026
Unions and labour experts hail landmark UN ruling protecting workers’ right to strike
WELLINGTON, 02 JUNE 2026 (PMN) — The United Nations’ highest court has ruled that workers have a protected right to strike under international labour law.
The landmark decision is expected to echo across workplaces throughout the Pacific.
In a major advisory opinion delivered in The Hague last month, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled by 10 votes to four that the right to strike is protected under the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Freedom of Association Convention.
The case centred on a long-running dispute between global employers and unions over whether the convention, adopted in 1948, includes the right for workers to take strike action – even though the treaty does not directly mention strikes.
The court found that strike action could fall within the “activities” protected under the convention for workers and their organisations.
Shoya Yoshida, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)-Asia Pacific General Secretary, called the ruling “a landmark victory for social justice”.
“For workers across Asia and the Pacific who continue to face intimidation, dismissal, arrest, or violence for exercising trade union rights, this confirmation is not merely a legal interpretation,” Yoshida said in a statement.
“It is a reaffirmation that democracy at work cannot exist without the ability of workers to act collectively in defence of their dignity, livelihoods, safety, and freedom.”
But judges also stressed the ruling does not define exactly how or when strikes can happen, saying it does not settle “the precise content, scope or conditions for the exercise of that right”.
The decision is being welcomed by unions worldwide after years of growing concern about restrictions on strikes and collective bargaining.
According to the ITUC’s 2025 Global Rights Index, the right to strike was violated in 131 countries including 91 percent of countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Australian union leaders have welcomed the ruling, saying it strengthens long-standing protections for workers to take industrial action without fear of punishment. They say it reinforces that the right to strike is central to fair wages, safe conditions, and collective bargaining.
For Pacific workers, the ruling could carry particular weight as many island nations continue to grapple with low wages, seasonal worker protections, public sector disputes, and rising living costs.
Pacific unions and labour advocates have increasingly raised concerns about worker exploitation especially involving migrant labour schemes and outsourced industries linked to tourism, transport, and infrastructure.
The court’s opinion comes after more than a decade of disagreement inside the ILO itself.
Employers’ groups argued the convention never explicitly included a right to strike while workers’ representatives maintained that strike action is central to freedom of association and collective bargaining.
The legal dispute intensified in 2012 when employer groups within the ILO challenged decades of accepted interpretation that workers had a protected right to strike under Convention 87.
The ICJ’s ruling now gives significant legal backing to unions arguing that strike action is a fundamental labour right.
New Zealand’s Government has not yet issued a formal response to the ICJ advisory opinion. But trade unions have welcomed the ruling and are calling on the Government to move ahead with ratifying key international labour conventions.
Labour law expert Marcelo DiStefano says the right to strike sits at the centre of workers’ freedom to organise.
“It is impossible to understand freedom of association without the exercise of its three functions: the recognition of trade unions, collective bargaining and the right to strike,” he told Equal Times.
Although ICJ advisory opinions are not legally binding, they carry major political and legal influence internationally and are often used to shape national laws and labour policies.
The ILO Governing Body is expected to discuss possible next steps later this year.
The ruling also lands at a time when labour tensions are rising globally.
The ITUC says governments in many countries are increasingly introducing laws that limit strikes through broad “minimum service” rules or tighter controls on protests and industrial action…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS In Focus
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Military buildup triggers housing crisis in Guam, outpricing residents
Marines relocating from Japan and contractors working on new military projects squeeze local housing supply.
By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
TAMUNING, 02 JUNE 2026 (RADIO FREE ASIA) — Jacqueline Guzman has been living with her husband in a small apartment in the village of Maite for 18 years but now finds herself having to adjust her lifestyle to afford her rent.
“Our rent went up by US$300, from US$850 to US$1,150. The increase was only in the last four years,” she told Radio Free Asia. “Housing is definitely difficult because affordable housing is difficult to find for safe and attractive spaces.”
Guzman attempted three times to purchase property but was “scared away by the mortgage prices and length of the debt.”
The couple is not alone. Housing costs are skyrocketing in Guam due to military buildup and a surge in military personnel in the U.S territory. According to the U.S Navy, the active-duty population is expected to surge from 17,000 in 2024 to 24,000 in 2033, due to the relocation of marine units from Okinawa, Japan.
Additionally, contractors working on military upgrades, or even housing construction, require housing. The increase in demand and the dwindling supply is thus pushing prices higher and higher.
The Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority has reported that Guam faced a demand for 9,908 additional housing units in 2025.
Last year, the office of the governor estimated that the Department of Defence plans to invest US$8 billion—US$3 billion greater than Guam’s entire gross domestic product—over the next five years amid a military expansion driven by the escalating geopolitical situation in the region.
Military upgrades
Earlier this month, the U.S Missile Defence Agency awarded Lockheed Martin Corp. a new US$407 million contract to expand the Guam missile defence program, raising the project’s value from US$1.5 billion to US$1.9 billion.
The new award is part of the existing Aegis Ballistic Missile Defence Weapon Systems contract for the Guam project, designed to provide 360-degree protection against a potential threat from China’s ballistic and hypersonic strikes.
In September last year, Beijing unveiled its DF-26D missile, an upgraded variant of the missile nicknamed the “Guam Killer,” during a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II.
While the Department of Defence’s surging investment has been praised as an economic boon for Guam, the increasing presence of military personnel on the island and the U.S territory’s role in Indo-Pacific strategy are taking their toll on the civilian community.
“Housing is a very big issue. We have a shortage of housing,” Senator Jesse Lujan of the Guam legislature told RFA.
“By the same token, we have quite a lot of people who are leaving Guam and looking for, of course, greener pastures. And those homes and those apartments or condos that are being vacated are being occupied, of course, by the military and federal contractors.”
Big military bucks
Housing developers and property owners are targeting military renters, setting prices based on the Department of Defence’s overseas housing allowance for Guam, which averages US$2,205 per month for single service members, making rents unaffordable for most residents.
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, Guamanians on average earn less than US$3,000 per month. This means that if rent is set according to military rates, then a Guamanian earning the average salary would need to pay more than three-fourths of it in rent.
While these high costs present a conundrum for Guamanian renters, landlords like Tes Schwab, who owns a rental unit in Agana Heights near a large U.S Navy hospital, are more than willing to lease to military personnel.
“We appreciate military tenants,” she said. “I’ve only had two so far, and they have both been reliable payers.”
According to a May 2025 report by the Government Accountability Office, or GAO, the military population in Guam is projected to double in 10 years—from 10,000 in 2024 to 20,000 in 2033.
The report noted that the Department of Defence has yet to determine the infrastructure capacity it needs to support the population surge.
“DOD has identified that those facilities are already facing capacity issues,” the report said. “As such, DOD will not know how much the addition of Guam Defence System personnel will exacerbate existing challenges with the support infrastructure.”
The GAO acknowledged that Guam is already facing a housing shortage for military personnel.
While the Department of Defence is building housing quarters for military personnel, the growing population is outpacing construction, necessitating reliance on civilian infrastructure.
Renovation over construction
Meanwhile, much of the funding for adequate military housing is not going toward constructing new units, but rather to replace or update existing housing, Robert Underwood, president of the Pacific Centre for Island Security, a Guam-based think tank, told RFA.
“In spite of the commitments made earlier that they would seek new housing on base to relieve the burden on the civilian community, they are only refurbishing the existing inventory,” said Underwood, a former Guam delegate to the U.S Congress.
“The disconnect between the activities they pursue and the consequences of those very activities is mindboggling.”
Siska Hutapea, president of the real estate company Cornerstone Valuation, told RFA Guam’s housing market is already driven by the significant increase in construction costs.
“The intensive military construction activities in such a short time frame in a fairly small market absorbed all of the construction companies’ capabilities, causing a substantial increase in prices,” Hutapea said. “This puts significant pressure on locals as it limits new supply.”
She said that median prices have essentially doubled since the start of the modern military buildup in 2012. Back then the median home price was US$210,000. In 2025 it was US$400,000.
“Infrastructure upgrades would definitely be helpful to release the pressure and assist the locals build more housing units,” she added.
Besides the prohibitive construction costs, Lujan said Guam’s labour shortage exacerbates the housing situation.
Foreign workers hired for Guam projects under the federal government’s H2-B visa programme are working on defence projects, limiting the civilian contractors’ ability to complete their housing projects.
“We can’t build homes fast enough because of cost and because of labor shortage,” Lujan said. “So, we have a double whammy here.”
The inability to construct new homes fast enough has the U.S Navy looking to buy existing homes and land suitable for construction, according to a press release detailing a housing initiative announced last September.
To that end the navy is seeking a total of 2,400 housing units, including 1,600 units for families, with some ready for occupancy in 2028, and the rest by 2032.
“This effort is not just about meeting housing numbers,” Rear Admiral Brett Mietus said in the statement. “It’s about ensuring our military members have the quality of life they deserve. We must explore every avenue from innovative partnerships and efficient construction to maximizing existing resources,” he said…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Fiji’s National Referendum Bill: what it says, what it restricts, and why it matters
By Lanieta Tukana
SUVA, 02 JUNE 2026 (FIJI POLITICAL REVIEW) — Fiji’s government tabled the National Referendum Bill 2025 on 04 December 2025 — the final sitting day of parliament for the year. The bill establishes the legal rules for conducting a constitutional referendum. It has since been referred to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights for review.
On the surface, the bill fills a genuine gap: Fiji has never held a constitutional referendum, and no legal framework existed to govern one. The government’s stated intention is to ensure any future referendum is conducted with integrity and impartiality.
But the bill’s specific provisions have drawn sharp criticism from civil society organisations, legal experts, opposition parties and Fiji’s own former chief legal advisor, all of whom argue that the restrictions go far beyond ensuring orderly conduct and risk producing a referendum in which the government controls the flow of information while ordinary Fijians are prohibited from campaigning.
Why this matters now: with a general election due between August 2026 and February 2027, and the government committed to constitutional reform before going to the polls, the rules established by this bill will directly shape whether any resulting constitutional changes carry democratic legitimacy — or simply the appearance of it.
The 2013 Constitution, introduced by then-Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama following the 2006 coup, was designed to be nearly impossible to change. Section 160 required a three-quarters majority vote in parliament, followed by a referendum passed by three-quarters of all registered voters. Not three-quarters of those who turned out: three-quarters of all registered voters in Fiji.
To understand how high that bar was: in the 2022 election, there were 693,915 registered voters, but voter turnout was 68.3 percent. Even if every person who voted in 2022 had voted yes in a referendum, it would not have been enough to pass a constitutional amendment.
The Rabuka government, which came to power in December 2022 on a platform that included constitutional reform, attempted to change this in March 2025, proposing a bill that would have reduced the parliamentary bar from three-quarters to two-thirds and replaced the registered-voter threshold with a standard majority of valid votes cast. That bill received 40 votes, short of the three-quarters supermajority required under Section 160.
In August 2025, the Supreme Court issued an advisory opinion that narrowed the amendment threshold, ruling that an amendment could proceed with a two-thirds parliamentary majority followed by a simple majority in a referendum. That opinion cleared the path for constitutional change, and the National Referendum Bill is the government’s attempt to lay the foundations.
Several provisions have attracted the highest level of concern from critics. Section 22 bans the creation or distribution of any campaign materials during the referendum period, while Section 23 prohibits doorstep canvassing — the primary method of grassroots organising in rural and maritime Fiji. Clause 11 compounds these restrictions by requiring the referendum question to be published only five days before polling.
Other clauses have drawn significant, if less acute, concern. Clause 24 permits parliamentary parties near polling stations but excludes civil society. Clause 25 makes gatherings of five or more people unlawful if they cause “intimidation, alarm or annoyance”, with penalties of up to one year in prison.
The criticism of this bill is not coming from a single partisan source. It spans Fiji’s legal profession, civil society sector and opposition parties.
The Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) told the Standing Committee that the bill was “significantly weak” on core democratic principles and may contravene international standards for free suffrage. FCOSS executive director Vani Catanasiga described the near-total ban on political campaigning in Clauses 22 and 23 as a “major concern” that “directly contradicts the international principle of freedom of expression”. She also compared the bill’s five-day notice period for the referendum question to the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice Referendum, where voters had seven months for public discussion before polling day.
The Fiji Labour Party’s representative before the committee, Dr Sunil Kumar, called the bill “unconstitutional and undemocratic”, arguing that it criminalises normal campaigning and violates freedom of speech, expression, assembly and association. He noted that democracies including Australia, Canada, Scotland, Ireland and New Zealand actively encourage campaigning during referendums.
The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement described the measures as “draconian and capable of silencing large groups of under-represented people”, specifically flagging the impact on women, youth and marginalised communities who rely on grassroots organising and community discussion to participate in political life.
Perhaps most significantly, Fiji’s former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum told the Standing Committee that the bill, as drafted, is antithetical to its stated objective of giving the Fijian people a voice.
Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga told parliament the clauses “are intended solely to ensure the orderly, transparent and impartial conduct of referendums”. The government argues the bill fills a genuine legal gap and that its provisions mirror the blackout periods used in democratic elections around the world. It has not publicly responded in detail to the specific criticisms of Clause 25’s “annoyance” standard or the five-day notice period.
At the heart of this debate is a question that goes beyond the specific clauses: if constitutional change is achieved through a process in which ordinary Fijians were legally prevented from campaigning, discussing or organising around the question, and in which only the government had an unrestricted platform, would the result carry genuine democratic legitimacy?
Comparative experience suggests that referendum legitimacy depends heavily on the quality of public deliberation before the vote, not just the procedural conduct of voting day itself. A referendum conducted in silence is not the same as a referendum conducted with informed consent.
The Standing Committee concluded its public hearings in early 2026, and its report is expected before parliament debates the bill. Whether its recommendations require substantive amendments, particularly to Clauses 22, 23 and 25, will be one of the most important indicators of whether the Rabuka government’s commitment to constitutional reform extends to the process, not just the outcome…. PACNEWS
Lanieta Tukana is the founding editor of the Fiji Political Review. She writes on Fijian politics, constitutional reform and democratic governance.
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
FAO supports Samoa and Fiji in bilateral forestry knowledge exchange to build climate resilience
APIA, 02 JUNE 2026 (FAO) — Three officers from the Samoa Forestry Division have successfully completed an intensive, hands-on training programme focused on Sustainable Teak and Pine Production and Management, held from 25 to 29 May 2026 in Suva, Fiji.
The initiative was collaboratively organized by the Ministry of Forestry Fiji and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
This regional partnership directly addresses Samoa’s vulnerability to climate change, extreme weather, and ecosystem pressures. By responding to an official capacity-building request from Samoa’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), the programme equipped forestry staff with essential seed propagation and sustainable harvesting techniques to overcome critical technical and data gaps.
“We deeply appreciate the strong collaboration between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Samoa and the Ministry of Forestry of Fiji in making this knowledge exchange a reality. FAO remains fully committed to supporting these vital regional partnerships, which deliver wider benefits and build shared resilience across the Pacific,” said Guangzhou Qu, FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands.
Building South-South cooperation
This initiative goes far beyond one-way learning; it operates as a true bilateral exchange. The visiting officers shared Samoa’s own unique forestry insights and experiences while absorbing Fiji’s technical expertise.
“Establishing regular technical exchange mechanisms is highly cost-effective and holds strong potential to encourage collaborative regional forest management,” said Raushan Kumar, FAO’s Better Environment Module Leader.
Translating training into local action
While the field sessions drew on Fiji’s extensive experience in teak and pine, the ultimate goal of the exchange is highly strategic. The practical knowledge gained by the officers will be brought back to Samoa for immediate application.
Key technical areas covered during the training included:
•Nursery propagation skills
•Biosecurity insights
•Mechanical harvesting methods
•Market economics
These skills will be directly applied to managing and upgrading priority tree species back home in Samoa, aiming to build long-term climate resilience and secure local livelihoods.
This South-South cooperation initiative demonstrates strong regional solidarity. The Ministry of Forestry Fiji hosted the training, working closely with the visiting Samoa team to build a more sustainable and climate-resilient future for the Pacific islands…. PACNEWS
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
From Libyan deserts to 3D-printed guns: The weapons that never go away
NEW YORK, 02 JUNE 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) — The issue is under scrutiny as delegates gather at UN Headquarters this week to tackle the global spread of illicit firearms – weapons that continue to fuel violence in communities long after wars end.
At the centre of discussions are emerging technologies that experts warn could make these illegal weapons easier to manufacture and harder to trace.
“Wars end – but unfortunately, the weapons that are used in that particular conflict would [then] not be under full control,” the UN’s top disarmament official, Izumi Nakamitsu, told UN News.
“They continue to circulate. They are sometimes hidden. They are brought across borders.”
‘Ghost guns and 3D firearms
One of the fastest-growing concerns involves so-called ghost guns – firearms assembled from parts or kits and lacking serial numbers – that are near impossible for authorities to trace.
Advances in 3D-printing technology have created additional challenges by allowing components – and in some cases entire and fully operational firearms – to be produced outside traditional manufacturing and regulatory systems.
The increasing availability and affordability of such technology has heightened concerns among governments that illicit firearms could become easier to make and harder to regulate.
“Those weapons or weapon parts, if they are disassembled and then trafficked, [are] more difficult to trace,” Nakamitsu said.
What are small arms and light weapons?
Small arms – such as pistols, revolvers and assault rifles – can be carried and operated by a single person. Light weapons include systems such as grenade launchers, machine guns and portable anti-aircraft or anti-tank weapons, which can be operated by a small crew.
Because they are relatively inexpensive, durable and easy to use, these weapons can remain in circulation for decades.
Ammunition is also a critical part of the challenge. Even when weapons are already circulating illicitly, continued access to ammunition can prolong their use in conflict, crime and terrorism.
When wars end, the guns remain
One frequently cited example is Libya, where weapons looted or diverted during and after the 2011 conflict which ended the rule of Muammar Gadaffi later surfaced across the wider Sahel region, including in Niger, Burkina Faso and Nigeria.
Some were subsequently found in the hands of extremist groups, illustrating how arms from one conflict can destabilise neighbouring countries years later.
“The end of the conflict does not mean the end of the circulation of those weapons…it stays and it continues to harm people,” Nakamitsu said.
From crime to conflict
The impact varies by region but is widespread.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, illicit firearms are closely linked to organized crime and some of the world’s highest homicide rates. According to UN estimates, firearms account for between 70 and 80 percent of violent deaths in parts of the region.
In parts of sub-Saharan Africa, the proliferation of small arms can undermine peacebuilding efforts long after fighting subsides. Weapons retained by armed groups, militias or communities for self-protection can contribute to renewed violence and instability.
Beyond security concerns
The consequences also extend well beyond conflicts.
Illicit weapons are linked to human rights abuses, terrorism, and sexual and gender-based violence.
“It is not just a security issue. It is also about peacebuilding. It is about human rights. It is also about development,” Nakamitsu said.
The UN response
Recognising the dangers posed by small arms and light weapons, UN Member States adopted an action programme in 2001, committing to strengthen national legislation, improve stockpile security, combat illicit trafficking and expand international cooperation.
A major milestone followed in 2005 with the adoption of the International Tracing Instrument, which established global standards for marking, recording, and tracing the illegal weaponry.
The framework helps investigators identify where illicit weapons originated and how they entered illegal markets, while reducing the risk of diversion from legal stockpiles.
The UN supports implementation through technical assistance, policy guidance and capacity-building programmes aimed at helping governments secure weapons stockpiles, improve tracing systems and strengthen border controls.
Why it matters
Former Secretary-General Kofi Annan famously said small arms could well be the world’s real “weapons of mass destruction” because of the enormous number of deaths and injuries they cause.
The challenge is ultimately about more than deadly weapons. It is about reducing violence, protecting communities and preventing conflict from reigniting.
Nakamitsu said reducing the circulation of illicit firearms would benefit communities everywhere.
“It is a real issue for many people. We want proper control and regulation of small arms in all societies. That would definitely make everyone’s life safer and more secure…. PACNEWS
