Opinion: Manele’s leadership in Solomon Islands: opportunities and challenges
Solomon Islands’ new prime minister Jeremiah Manele brings a new leadership style to the position, compared to the abrasive approach of his predecessor, Manasseh Sogavare. However, policies are unlikely to change, and
Opinion: Fiji’s three-speed economy
Fiji’s swift rebound from the pandemic-induced downturn has been impressive. The economy is doing better than it was in 2019 with tourism leading the rebound. Visitor arrivals in 2022 exceeded most expectations and
Opinion: PNG’s gold bill implications for the central bank
PNG’s proposed National Gold Corporation Bill 2023 has attracted lots of debate, objections, and protests. Just last week, the government agreed to amend the immensely long bill (currently over 500 pages!) and consult
Opinion: Why is New Caledonia on fire? According to local women, the deadly riots are about more than voting rights
New Caledonia’s capital city, Noumea, has endured widespread violent rioting over the past 48 hours. This crisis intensified rapidly, taking local authorities by surprise. Peaceful protests had been occurring across
Opinion: 2024 Australian aid spending and effectiveness update
Australian Foreign aid was increased by 4% over what had been projected last year to bring the 2024-25 aid budget to $4.961 billion, virtually unchanged from the (inflation-adjusted) 2023-24 level of $4.900 billion. The
Opinion: The big dry: Marshallese scramble for water sources
For over 50 days from the end of February to the second week of April, El Niño took its toll on Majuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands. During that period, only trace rainfall was recorded. A large number of the
Opinion: Call on ADB to secure correspondent banking partners for Pacific countries
Pacific countries have sought the help of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to secure correspondent banking partners to increase investment and raise opportunities for local businesses. The 14 Pacific Developing Member
Opinion: Australia’s superannuation rules leave Pacific workers out of pocket
The government must reconsider its tax on the Pacific’s poorest. More than 40,000 Pacific Islanders working in Australia are being unfairly taxed on superannuation contributions – enforced savings payments that they
Opinion: Statement on World Media Freedom Day 2024 by the President of PINA, Kora Nou
As we gather to observe World Media Freedom Day on 03 May, with the global theme of “Journalism & Environmental Crisis,” it is crucial that we recognise the interconnected nature of environmental and journalism
Opinion: Fixing the plastics problem when delivering urgent aid
Coping with climate change is hard enough. Sustainability cannot be overlooked in humanitarian action across the Pacific. In March last year, twin cyclones – Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin – ravaged Vanuatu.
Opinion: Pacific elder excoriates Australia on AUKUS panel with Bob Carr
Former foreign minister Bob Carr recently described AUKUS as “fragrant, methane-wrapped bullshit”. This remark — tailor-made for the headlines — was covered by media outlets on both sides of the Tasman Sea.
Opinion: The Climate Crises & High Debt-Levels in the Pacific: Who will pay?
As Fiji and neighbouring Pacific Island Countries face the daunting prospect of dealing with unprecedented national debt levels and the effects of climate change, the issue of how climate action will be financed becomes
Opinion: The falling demand of seasonal workers
Evidence over nine months to the end of February 2024 shows a declining demand for Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme seasonal workers — those who used to be under the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP),
Opinion: It’s important to acknowledge PNG’s own interests with China
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected in Papua New Guinea this weekend to sign an agreement clearing the way for PNG’s agricultural exports to enter the Chinese market. This step has already caught
Opinion: Your quick guide to the Solomon Islands elections
By Priestley Habru, University of Adelaide and 360info Staff Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare could retain power on 17 April but who stands in his way of making history? Solomon Islands sits on the edge of a
Opinion: Decriminalisation of same-sex relations in Cook Islands
On 14 April 2023, during the second reading of the Crimes (Sexual Offence) Amendment Bill 2023, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, in this speech, said: We are a free country, we have freedom of speech, we have
Opinion: Another nonsensical decision as Rugby Championship application by Fiji, Japan but rejected by Sanzaar
Sanzaar is proving itself to be the Goldilocks of world rugby, except perhaps that it may never come up with a plan that is just right. For too long its vision was too ambitious – it wanted Super Rugby to expand
Opinion: Uncharted waters II: an update on politics in Tonga
Tonga’s Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala recently led a government delegation to the second Japan-Pacific Islands Defence Dialogue. Members of his delegation included the current Prime Minister’s defence
Opinion: How to enter the Pacific Engagement Visa ballot
Australia is about to launch a new visa that will for the first time create a Pacific quota in Australia’s permanent migration regime. 3,000 visas will be issued every year for the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste.
Opinion: Squaring a vicious circle: political party laws in Vanuatu
Vanuatu will witness a referendum on two constitutional amendments designed to strengthen the party system on 29 May 2024. The proposed reforms, passed by parliament in December 2023, seek to tie MPs to political
Opinion: Where did that Chinese police video come from?
Last night’s 60 Minutes broadcast in Australia featured extraordinary footage of 2017 Chinese police raids in Fiji, followed by the extraction of 77 People’s Republic of China citizens, hooded
Opinion: Yes, there are Chinese police in Fiji. But that’s none of Australia’s business
Sunday’s episode of 60 Minutes revealed a fascinating tension within the Fijian government about whether to embrace a 2011 agreement signed with the Chinese government that allows Fijian police officers to receive
Opinion: Communities worry anew as PNG revives seabed mining plans
Chris Malgan sits in his outrigger canoe, singing and shaking a ring of coconut shells in the water next to the boat. The inky skies backdropping the reef portend a late-morning storm that will bring a deluge of rain
Opinion: Tonga MP Piukaka’s rhetoric about the King hand picking Noble MPs is a serious threat to our half-cooked democracy
Member of Parliament Piveni Piukala’s proposal to revoke Tonga’s current nobility electoral system to allow the king to hand pick them for Parliament would be a fatal blow to Tonga’s fragile democracy. It flies in
