Australian migration laws crackdown blasted by experts, advocates
Australia’s plan to pay countries to accept its deported non-citizens is amongst a raft of measures under scrutiny at a Senate inquiry that legal experts and advocates have panned as undermining the rule of law.
China returns to Pacific with aid and influence push, report shows
China has regained its place as the second-biggest bilateral donor to the Pacific Islands, displacing the United States and targeting its spending to win influence, a Lowy Institute report on aid to the region found.
Solomon Islands loses USD$15.1 million in productivity due to violence
A UN Women costing study shows that Solomon Islands has lost approximately USD$15.1 million in the annual productivity of women in the formal sector due to violence in 2021. This accounts for 1% of the country’s gross
Vanuatu Parliament dissolution challenged in court
The Vanuatu Opposition bloc has filed a case in court challenging President Nikenike Vurobaravu’s decision to dissolve Parliament amid a no-confidence motion against him. The Vanuatu Daily Post/AAP reports that
Pacific negotiators frustrated by ‘slow process’ of climate talks
Pacific climate leaders were frustrated by the sluggish rate of progress made during the first week of the UN climate meeting in Azerbaijan. RNZ PACIFIC reports that the big goal of this COP is to increase annual
Palauan youth allege human rights violations by US military
Guam-based international law firm Blue Ocean Law has filed a submission to two United Nations independent human rights experts detailing human rights violations they say are caused by the United States’ ongoing
Snap election looms in Vanuatu
The president of Vanuatu has dissolved parliament, triggering a snap-election, for the second time in two years. RNZ reports that Nikenike Vurobaravu’s decision comes on the eve of a motion of no-confidence from
New Zealand Treaty protests continue
New Zealand’s Maori Queen will join a generationally significant protest to support the Treaty of Waitangi as it reaches a climax in Wellington. Opposition to the nation-dividing Treaty Principles Bill has already
Pacific education: Backsliding outcomes and a financing freefall
Education outcomes in the Pacific are faltering. Across much of the region, participation in formal education is declining, along with graduation rates and academic performance. Both domestic and international funding
Fiji partners with NGOs at COP29
The UNFCC Conference of the Parties (COP29) is, in the words of Dr Sivendra Michael, Fiji’s country leadand Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, “not an exciting journey. It is a
Pacific expresses interest in Cook Island’s super deal
Cook Islanders moving back home will be able to easily transfer their superannuation funds to the Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund under an agreement with Australia. AAP reports that the agreement between the
Palau’s Pres Whipps to retain cabinet
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr has announced plans to retain his current CabinetMinisters in his upcoming administration, with Vice President-elect Raynold “Arnold”Oilouch slated to lead the Ministry of
Samoa’s Tulsi Gabbard heads U.S. intelligence
United States President-elect Donald Trump has appointed former congresswoman and Samoan, Tulsi Gabbard to serve as director of National
Slavery ship masts reminder of horrors of slavery in the Pacific
The installation, Cry of the Stolen People, tells part of the little-known history of “blackbirding”, of how Peruvian slave ships kidnapped more than 250
Palau says China ICBM test a ‘direct threat’, seeks U.S Patriot missile system
Palau’s re-elected President Surangel Whipps said on Tuesday he may ask the United States for a Patriot missile defence system, citing a recent Chinese missile
COP29: Pacific climate finance needs top $2billion
Economic modelling released at the COP29 climate conference on Thursday revealed Pacific nations need at least US$1.5 billion (AUD$2.3 billion) per year in climate
Public health crisis, Indicators hit all-time low, need urgent attention: PNG Doctor
Papua New Guinea’s public health is at an “all-time low” and requires immediate and serious attention, according to a senior health
Opinion: Australia and the Pacific are in prime position to host landmark COP31 summit
An announcement about who will host the 2026 UN climate summit is expected during COP29 discussions in Baku,
What these Pacific youth leaders want to see come out of COP29
Pacific Island youth leaders say the stakes couldn't be higher at this year's United Nations climate
Look not at the scores but the scores of girls we inspire: Albert
Orchids captain Elsie Albert is adamant the tale of her nation’s Pacific Championships campaign lies not in the results but in the enormous impact it will have on aspiring youngsters back
Tonga’s Pacific Championships success raises questions about International Rugby League’s tier system
For decades, there was an understood hierarchy in men's rugby league that went something like: Australia, New Zealand, England, a bit of daylight, then everyone
FJ$2 billion cocaine bust in Spain, packs labelled as Fiji
Spain has seized 13 tonnes of cocaine worth almost FJD$2 billion (US$1 billion) in the biggest drug raid in its history, and most of the packs were labelled as
Australia nears deal with ANZ to stop bank closures in the Pacific
Australia is in the final stages of talks with ANZ Group opens new tab over a deal to maintain the bank's branches across the Pacific, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on
