Uni’s rough start
The news on the newest regional university is not good. Launched at an ecumenical gathering in New Caledonia early this month, its application for funding has been rejected by two banks. The institution needs FJ$5 million to build its head office. With dwindling student numbers, the institution’s head has convinced his board the operation remains viable. Yet he’s been forced to borrow money to pay staff salaries. Perhaps the executive council will realise now that its expansion plans are flawed.
Falepili controversy
The controversial Falepili Union Treaty between Tuvalu and Australia looks set to become an issue for debate in Tuvalu’s January election. Former PM and now opposition leader, Enele Sopoaga says he would “throw away” the treaty. Sopoaga says there needs to be more transparency around the agreement, which provides a special human mobility pathway to allow people in Tuvalu who are facing displacement from climate change to settle in Australia. It also extends Australia’s influence over Tuvalu’s foreign security arrangements, one of the biggest points of contention.
Process grounded
What of the airports management organisation which received more than 2000 applications for 18 vacancies? The manager responsible decided to test 600 people before interviewing 18. This, instead of simply testing applicants with aviation industry experience. With new management, the process has been called out as flawed and new applications invited.
Deep-sea mining stouch
NORI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Metals Company (TMC), has failed in its bid to get an injunction against Greenpeace, which has protested against its activities in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ)—an area between Mexico and Hawaii—where the deep-sea mining industry is conducting final expeditions before filing the first-ever application to commercially exploit the international seabed. A Dutch court ordered Greenpeace climbers to disembark from a crane aboard the TMC drilling vessel, MV Coco, but denied NORI’s request that activists be excluded from a 500-metre zone around the vessel. The Dutch court noted that it is “understandable” the organisation has resorted to direct action in the face of the “possibly very serious consequences” of the company’s plans, a statement which Greenpeace is taking as a victory. Deep-sea mining continues to be a divisive issue for Pacific Island governments.
YWAM rescue
The Youth With a Mission vessel, Koha, is now in a dry dock in Fiji undergoing repairs and should be back in New Zealand in time for Christmas after a successful crowdfunding campaign to raise money for its repairs. The vessel, which brings health specialists and care to remote islands, suffered a broken tailshaft bearing. The repairs were expected to cost NZ$300,000 (US$176,368). Managing Director Marty Emmett, said more than 5000 people in Fiji’s maritime provinces had benefited from the ship in the past two years.
Film Fiji pays up
A recent Fiji Film conference examined how movie production incentives can be better organised so that production companies receive them in a timelier manner. Film Fiji has only just paid the final $7 million instalment to the producers of Eco-Challenge Fiji, which was filmed in 2019, says new Chair, Culden Kamea. Stakeholders are now working on how other outstanding rebate claims can be paid. Production companies are eligible for a 20% tax rebate calculated on total Fiji expenditure on lodgement of an application at the end of productions. The total amount of outstanding rebates—which date from the term of the previous government—is FJ$200 million according to government, and will take up to five years to pay off.
Stopem Instability
Frustrated by the disturbances caused by frequent votes of no confidence, a movement calling for stability has been born in Vanuatu. Opponents to continued instability marched last month, calling for a greater focus on the basic livelihood issues facing the people. Vanuatu has seen four prime ministers come and go in the space of three years. Meanwhile, the appointment of the Vanua’aku Pati Secretary General, Johnny Koanapo, as the new Minister of Internal Affairs is seen as a strategic move to foster unity within the government. It follows Prime Minister Charlot Salwai’s undertaking to extend ministerial portfolios to political parties not yet part of the Government of National Unity (GNU) in a bid to improve cohesion.
Hanger hang-up
At the height of his powers, Fiji’s former Attorney-General stopped work on the construction of a hangar at Nadi International Airport. By the time work was suspended, the company had spent more than FJ$8 million on the project aimed at further opening Fiji to the world of high-end boutique tourism. In suspending the construction, Fiji’s top lawyer at the time completely or conveniently overlooked the fact that no objections had been received prior to the beginning of work on the hangar. Work has resumed.
Glitch to be audited
An external audit will be done of the ‘glitch’ that saw the Fiji Elections Office (FEO) release incorrect figures in the counting of votes during the 2022 general election. The FEO and Electoral Commission say the audit will investigate whether there was third party interference in the episode, which saw wildly inflated numbers for some candidates. They say preliminary findings suggest that human, rather than a system error was responsible. The glitch damaged confidence in the FEO’s handling of the election, which otherwise went smoothly.
Show me the money
Having signed three revised Compacts of Free Association with RMI, FSM and Palau, the US Congress
is finding it hard to deliver the full US$7.1 billion pledged over coming years. President Joe Biden has included the funds in a supplemental budget request, but House Republicans want massive offsets, and– as we go to press–US lawmakers have failed to deliver. Little wonder that US Indo-Pacific tzar, Kurt Campbell is seething at Congress. If you can’t even provide timely development funding for the
US COFA states, why should any other Pacific nations have faith in US regional commitments? Don’t hold your breath waiting for Congress to fund Biden’s COP28 pledge of US$3 billion for the Green Climate Fund!
Security or militarisation?
France’s Ambassador to Vanuatu was miffed at the suggestion that Paris is involved in militarisation of the region, even as it deploys 200 new troops to New Caledonia, a new Pacific Academy for troop training in Noumea, 150 million euros extra for French armed forces etc etc. He furiously tweeted about France’s valuable contribution to maritime surveillance and disaster response, which is warmly welcomed by island states. PCC’s General Secretary replied: “We know what you do. We know what you did. We worry about what you might do in the future.” Does the Ambassador really think that people have forgotten 193 nuclear tests at Moruroa and Fangataufa, the Rainbow Warrior, the Ouvea massacre and more? We say France would have more regional credibility if it signed on to the Treaty on the Prohibition on Nuclear Weapons.
Whispers is compiled under the supervision of the editorial team.
