Communique semantics
New Caledonia’s delegation to the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting was not impressed when Australian officials tried to water down a resolution at the Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting, seeking to “note” rather than “welcome” the report of the Forum ministerial mission sent to observe the 2021 New Caledonia referendum. The mission included veterans like Fiji’s Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, Samoa’s Feturi Elisaia, and the Forum Secretary General, who raised questions about the credibility of the referendum. Was Canberra trying to send signals to Paris, following Prime Minister Albanese’s recent meeting with President Macron, seeking to fix the breakdown of relations after AUKUS?
RMI and the Forum
Marshall Islands’ membership of the Pacific Islands Forum will go before parliament after President David Kabua’s own government derailed his attempts to undo legislatively binding action to terminate the country’s membership in the organisation. Marshall Islands signed the so-called Suva Agreement through special envoy John Silk, who attended the meeting that brokered the now-shaky agreement. Apparently, the former Marshall Islands Ambassador to Fiji, Albon Ishoda had already flown into Fiji for the Forum (he’s now Ambassador to South Korea) when he was informed that his country would not be able to participate.
Just another meeting
In 2019, it seemed the whole population of Tuvalu was involved in hosting the Pacific Islands Forum. But this year in Suva, many locals weren’t aware of the summit, in a city that hosts a lot of regional gatherings. Taxi drivers complained that a lot of delegations had their own cars and drivers, and most delegates and media managed to stagger from Holiday Inn to the Forum venue – the Grand Pacific Hotel next door – without the need of assistance.
Press pack
After four years of Forum summits in Smaller Island States (FSM 2016, RMI 2017, Nauru 2018 and Tuvalu 2019), lots of international media turned out for this year’s meeting in Fiji. Given the number of flights to Nadi and Suva, large contingents from Australia and New Zealand arrived in town, with BBC News, CNN, Reuters, AFP and Al Jazeera all lured by debates over China and climate. But how many will make the trek to Rarotonga next year?
Freedom of the press
There was a lot of criticism when Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi limited the number of questions from local journalists in Fiji during his recent tour. But at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Suva, some Aussie journalists were taken aback when Jacinda Ardern said that she’d only take questions from NZ journalists at a doorstop. Cue outrage from the Australian press pack at this trans-Tasman tyranny! Meanwhile Forum Chair, Voreqe Bainimarama, who generally does not front the media in unscripted environments, read a prepared statement to media before taking his leave from the scheduled post-Forum media conference, leaving others to take questions.
Kiribati’s judicial disarray
Kiribati’s judicial system remains under scrutiny over the tribunal it established to look into allegations of misbehaviour against High Court Judge, David Lambourne. The Kiribati government says it is concerned about a joint statement by the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) and the Commonwealth Legal Education Association over the matter, saying its views should have been sought first. CLA President, Brian Speer says the matter isn’t following a fair process, and the groups say the independence of the judiciary is being undermined. Lambourne is married to Kiribati opposition leader Tessie Lambourne. Meanwhile the Chief Justice, William Hasting, has been suspended after the government says it was taken by surprise by a journal article he wrote last year, which “talks about the threats to judicial independence in relation to the tenure of High Court Judges in Kiribati and the Amendment Act 2021 that changed the Judges’ tenure of appointment.” The government also accuses the Chief Justice Hasting of being “morally insensitive.”
A bitter brew
The migration of Samoa’s iconic Vailima beer to Fiji has left a bad taste in the mouth of many Samoans. Its original brewers, Samoa Breweries, is majority owned by Fiji’s Paradise Beverages, which will make the beer in Fiji from October. General Manager Mike Spencer said Samoa Breweries’ commercial viability had steadily declined over the past five years due to ageing machinery, the impact of the 2019 measles outbreak, and COVID-19 disruptions. However some minority, local shareholders have called on the Samoan government to intervene. Samoa’s Chamber of Commerce says general business confidence has suffered, with CEO Hobart Vaa saying the local business community is very upset by the decision.
Where’s Ron?
As we went to print, there was still no word on the whereabouts of Ron Pattenden, the founder of a funeral fund that owes millions to Australian families, and whose yacht has sailed to Vanuatu. The Dream Catcher made the journey from New Zealand, where Pattenden now lives. He also owns property in Vanuatu. The company he founded, Youpla, (once known as Aboriginal Community Benefit Fund) collapsed in March. The circumstances around the collapse, and his possible involvement, are being investigated
RFMF’s short lived post?
A post to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces’ Facebook account this month urging the armed forces to vote freely, was quickly taken down, with the RFMF Commander, Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai claiming it had been “hacked”. The full post read: “Election is around the corner. You and all your eligible family members are encouraged to vote. Do so without fear or intimidation for whomever you feel is the right person to lead your next government. Do not be bought with freebies and handouts.” The Commander says it was taken down by the person who posted it minutes later. No word yet on the fate of that person.
Fiji faces international court of opinion
Proceedings against a high-profile Fiji lawyer, Richard Naidu, have drawn the attention of the Law Council of Australia. Fiji’s Attorney-General has brought contempt of court proceedings against Naidu after he drew attention to a spelling mistake made in a judgement in a social media post back in February. The Law Council says it plans to send an independent observer to attend the “contested hearing”, actively monitoring the proceedings with a view to ensuring that Naidu—who is a vocal critic of the government— gets a meaningful opportunity to challenge and defend the serious charges.
Whispers is written under the supervision of the editors.
