How an ASEAN ag visa would undermine Pacific seasonal worker programs
The Australian Federal Agriculture Minister, David Littleproud, announced yesterday morning on the ABC that the National Party had demanded and gained acceptance of a proposed “seasonal agricultural workforce visa”
Probe into Pacific Maritime Industrial Zone project financing
Papua New Guinea Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey has announced a new study aimed at resuming work on the long-delayed Pacific Maritime Industrial Zone project in Madang. PMIZ has been a white elephant sitting on the fringes
Cook Islands swimmer off to Olympics
Cook Islands swimmer Wesley Roberts has broken a national record and qualified for the Tokyo Olympics. Wesley Roberts, also known as the “Atiu Rocket”, broke the national record in the 400 metre freestyle (3.52.50)
Solomon Islands Opposition Leader calls for mining moratorium
Solomon Islands leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale has called for a moratorium on all forms of mining in the country until proper management and regulatory policies are put in place to safeguard the people and their
Violence against women in Pacific politics
As with their sisters around the world, many women in the Pacific Islands are victims of violence. While much of this violence occurs within the family, a socio-cultural environment accustomed to violence against women
Vanuatu Education minister now speaker
The Vanuatu Parliament has elected Seule Simeon as the new speaker just hours after Gracia Shadrack resigned from the position. To stand as candidate for speaker, Simeon resigned his education portfolio in the
Samoan weightlifter Iuniarra Sipaia through to Olympics
Samoan weightlifter Iuniarra Sipaia has confirmed her spot in the Tokyo Olympics next month and says she is honored to be representing the country. Sipaia told the Samoa Observer in an interview on Tuesday that she felt
Bougainville independence date set
Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama has set 1 September, 2025, as the tentative date for the declaration of independence for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. He told the House of Representatives that the
Hearing on Samoa swearing-in to start next week
A hearing on an application brought by the Samoa Attorney General to stop the ad-hoc swearing-in of a new Government from taking legal effect after the disputed election, will begin next Monday. The Fa’atuatua ile
PS looks to 80% vaccination rate before lifting of restrictions
Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for Health says he’s looking at an 80% vaccination rate before restrictions on movement, gatherings and workplaces can be further relaxed. Currently 230,000 people have received their
Marshalls vaccinates fishermen in Majuro
The Marshall Islands has launched Covid-19 vaccinations for commercial fishermen temporarily in port Majuro — possibly the first Pacific island to vaccinate foreign fishermen. With the country vaccination programme