In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — ‘World will be plunged into deepening insecurity’ without climate action: AOSIS warns
2. SOL — Solomon Islands Court of Appeal stalls move to oust PM Manele over constitutional concerns
3. SOL — Solomon Islands Coalition rejects alleged million-dollar inducements to switch sides
4. UN — Time running out on development goals as finance dries up, UN warns
5. PACIFIC — First activation of Pacific disaster system
6. NZ — Dumping Luxon now would be ‘suicidal’, former National MP warns after poll slump
7. FIJI — Woman finds 20 rounds of ammunition in Nasinu settlement
8. SAMOA — The future of media in Samoa
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Sāmoa government pushes bank reforms despite IMF concerns
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Western Province tops PCDF rankings in Solomon Islands
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji Teachers Union proposes psychosocial leave for teachers
12. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Fiji’s National Referendum Bill: what it says, what it restricts, and why it matters
13. PACNEWS DIGEST — Tuvalu disability data shed light on gaps in access to communication, education and work
14. PACNEWS DIGEST — A mine despoiled the beauty of the rainforest. This Goldman Prize winner took action
PAC – CLIMATE CHANGE: PACNEWS PACNEWS 2: Tue 21 Apr 2026
‘World will be plunged into deepening insecurity’ without climate action: AOSIS warns
NEW YORK, 21 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS)— Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Lead Climate Change negotiator Anne Rasmussen has issued a clear warning ahead of the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, saying failure to act on climate and energy will deepen global instability.
“Amidst an increasingly unpredictable geopolitical landscape, world ministers are gathering for the first major climate ministerial since COP30, the Petersburg Climate Dialogue, and the negotiating bloc representing countries most vulnerable to climate change is highlighting the urgent need for all countries to accelerate efforts to secure energy stability by embracing sustainable energy resources,” she said in a statement.
Rasmussen highlighted the Middle East crisis as a clear signal of global vulnerability.
“The current crisis in the Middle East is a stark reminder of why nations must strive for energy independence.”
“Continued dependence on fossil fuels, a finite and volatile resource, exposes economies to shocks, deepens insecurity, and drives current and future impacts on the livelihoods of small island developing states and all vulnerable communities.”
She said the shift to renewable energy is already underway and must accelerate.
“The case for advancing to more sustainable energy sources has never been more clear.”
“Renewable energy capacity is rising rapidly, accounting for nearly half of global power capacity at the end of last year. Economically viable and practical solutions already exist, and the benefits of embracing them are undeniable, including stronger energy security, lower costs, cleaner air, and more resilient societies.”
Rasmussen warned of serious consequences if countries fail to deliver.
“If countries do not keep their commitments, raise ambition, and get serious about implementation, our world will be plunged into deepening insecurity.”
She called on developed countries to lead at the upcoming talks.
“AOSIS particularly urges leaders of developed countries at the Petersburg Climate Dialogue to redouble their efforts and lead the global transition away from fossil fuels toward a future grounded in sustainability, equity, and shared prosperity.”
The statement comes as climate-vulnerable nations push for stronger commitments and faster action ahead of key global negotiations…..PACNEWS
SOL – POLITICS: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS 2: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Solomon Islands Court of Appeal stalls move to oust PM Manele over constitutional concerns
HONIARA, 21 APRIL 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) —The Solomon Islands Court of Appeal has issued a judgement revealing it stalled moves to oust Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele due to “serious questions of constitutional significance”.
On Friday, the court approved an application by the Attorney-General for a stay of execution, which temporarily suspended a decision by the Chief Justice for Manele to call parliament, which lapsed that day.
This is the latest development in a political saga that began last month with the mass defection of government ministers to the opposition.
In the High Court last Tuesday, Sir Albert Palmer ordered Manele to convene parliament within three days to face a motion of no confidence in his leadership.
Sir Albert ruled in favour of a new coalition of 28 MPs (in the 50-member house), including government defectors, who filed a judicial review claim in the High Court.
He also denied attempts by Attorney-General John Muria Jr to have the judicial review struck out.
In its judgement, released on Monday, the Appeal Court said it had “discretionary powers to grant such relief as may be necessary to prevent prejudice to the parties pending appeal”.
“In the present case, the appeal raises serious and arguable questions of constitutional significance. Without a stay, there is a real risk that the (government’s ) appeal would be rendered nugatory (futile) by the occurrence of irreversible constitutional consequences. In those circumstances, the balance of justice favours the preservation of the status quo,” the judgement said.
Governor-General Sir David Tiva Kapu last week refused to call parliament, citing the government’s appeal of Sir Albert ‘s decision, which is being heard in the Court of Appeal on Wednesday.
Sir David firmly rejected calls from the opposition group to use his residual constitutional powers to summon parliament as soon as possible, saying an appeal by the government was afoot.
While he acknowledged he had the power to convene parliament if the Prime Minister failed to do, he would not.
“I will exercise my powers to convene parliament at the appropriate date and time,” Sir David said in a letter to the coalition.
Meanwhile, the opposition group called out Manele’s decision to leave the country during the political impasse.
Manele was in Fiji for a one-day Troika meeting in his capacity as chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).
“The prime minister has departed the country in clear defiance of a court order requiring parliament to be convened within three days. This raises profound constitutional questions regarding compliance with binding judicial directions and the obligations of the executive under our democratic system,” the coalition said in a statement.
“Such actions reflect a serious erosion of leadership responsibility and are incompatible with the standards expected of lawful constitutional governance.”
“The Constitution must be obeyed. The Court must be respected. Parliament must sit,” it said.
Despite their numerical superiority, the group has previously been locked out of parliament by Manele’s refusal to call a sitting and face a leadership challenge….PACNEWS
SOL – POLITICS: INDEPTH SOLOMONS PACNEWS 2: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Solomon Islands Coalition rejects alleged million-dollar inducements to switch sides
HONIARA, 21 APRIL 2026 (INDEPTH SOLOMONS)—The 28 member coalition has denounced the desperate and shameless attempts byGov ernment for National Unity and Transformation(GNUT) to cling to power by offering huge money to Solomon Islands Opposition MPs to join the government.
In a statement, the coalition said their MPs have been receiving phone calls and text messages from lobbyists promising thousands and even millions of dollars in exchange for crossing the floor.
“We have text messages and recorded voice messages from government lobbyists offering huge money. The price tag has increased from thousands to millions to any 5 MPs to move across. The latest attempt involved an offer in millions over the weekend,” the statement said.
The statement adds this is nothing short of an attempt to buy political allegiance and manipulate the composition of Parliament through money and influence.
“Such conduct exposes a desperate government in clear decline and one that has lost the confidence of the majority and is now resorting to unethical and reckless tactics to survive,” it said.
“Let it be clear, the mandate of the people cannot and will not be bought.”
The statement said the 28 member coalition stands united and resolute and reject these inducements and defend the integrity of Parliament.
“We will gather all evidences from the lobbyists and provide them to lawful authorities for investigation,” it said.
Moreover, the coalition also condemned the political tactics employed by GNUT in withholding cash grant payments from the 28 coalition MPs, while selectively disbursing funds only to its 22 government MPs.
The statement adds this discriminatory action is a clear abuse of state resources and an attempt to politicise public funds for narrow political gain.
“These grants are not the property of any government or political group, they belong to the people of this country and must never be manipulated or withheld to serve political interests,” it said.
The statement adds such action further exposes a government willing to undermine fairness, equity and good governance in its desperate bid to maintain control…..PACNEWS
UN – SDGS: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS 2: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Time running out on development goals as finance dries up, UN warns
NEW YORK, 21 APRIL 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE)—Rising conflicts, the climate crisis and shrinking development finance are putting growing pressure on the poorest and most vulnerable countries – pushing development goals further off track.
The warning comes in the Financing for Sustainable Development Report 2026 (FSDR), a new UN report launched on Monday, which finds that with just four years left until the 2030 deadline for the Agenda for Sustainable Development, progress has stalled – and in some cases reversed – following the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising geopolitical tensions and growing climate impacts.
According to the report, development finance is being squeezed at a critical moment: one quarter of developing countries still have lower per capita income than before the pandemic, and some 3.4 billion people are living in countries that spend more on interest payments than on health or education.
Official development assistance has fallen sharply, foreign investment continues to decline and many countries struggle to raise enough tax revenue to fund basic services.
At the same time, global trade tensions and rising tariffs are adding to economic pressures, particularly for least developed countries.
Despite the bleak outlook, the report points to areas of resilience. Global economic growth exceeded expectations in 2025, trade between developing countries (South-South trade) has expanded rapidly over the past two decades, and investment in renewable energy reached a record high of US$2.2 trillion in 2024 – double the level invested in fossil fuels.
The authors stress, however, that progress will not be sustained without urgent action, identifying a financing gap of up to US$4 trillion annually for developing countries and calling for accelerated implementation of the Sevilla Commitment (a 2025 global agreement to scale up developing financing) as the best – and only – realistic path to get back on track.
Key priorities include increasing investment, strengthening multilateral cooperation, modernising the international financial system to give developing countries a stronger voice, and building resilience to better withstand future shocks.
Without renewed global cooperation and political will, the report cautions, the promise of the SDGs – and a more equitable future – will remain out of reach.
Speaking at UN Headquarters on Monday, the Secretary-General, António Guterres, said that the conflict in the Middle East is adding to the risks facing development.
“We are seeing in real time the war’s impacts on the cost of fuel, fertilizer and food,” he said, “as well as trade, transportation and tourism”.
Rising energy costs, slower growth and currency depreciations are, he added, putting even more pressure to the debt burdens shouldered by developing countries.
The UN chief identified three broad areas of focus for cutting into the US$4 trillion financing gap.
First, by “revving up the machinery of finance” (leveraging the Multilateral Development Banks, creating new public-private finance initiatives); second, by reforming debt (including mechanisms for debt relief and a “reimagining” of the credit ratings system); and third, through a reform of the international financial architecture, so that it reflects today’s global economy….PACNEWS
PAC – DISASTER RESPONSE: FBC NEWS PACNEWS 2: Tue 21 Apr 2026
First activation of Pacific disaster system
SUVA, 21 APRIL 2026 (FBC NEWS) —Fiji is backing stronger regional control of disaster response.
This comes as a new Pacific system is tested during Cyclone Maila in Solomon Islands.
The Pacific Humanitarian Response Coordination Mechanism has been activated for the first time. Solomon Islands made the request after a State of Disaster was declared in Western and Choiseul provinces.
Flooding, strong winds and coastal damage have hit several communities. Provincial disaster teams are now leading the response on the ground.
Fiji National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDMO)Director, Napolioni Boseiwaqa states the system improves coordination across the region.
He said it goes beyond country-to-country support and brings in all actors in the disaster space.
“So this is sort of synergising all the actors that want to come and assist and in that regard it’s a pretty good initiative from our point of view.”
Boseiwaqa said this helps reduce pressure on affected countries. He says the system aligns partners and makes response work easier for the host nation.
Boseiwaqa said Fiji’s own experience shows the need for a clear and coordinated approach.
Head of Samoa’s National Disaster Management Office Molly Nielsen said the system was the only regional coordination tool in place. She said it was critical during disaster response.
“It’s very critical during disasters, especially response. Faster disaster response, better regional support, smarter use of resources, stronger resilience at the long term, clear leadership and communication.”
Nielsen said it allows faster action and better regional support.
She said it also improves the use of resources and strengthens leadership and communication.
Nielsen said it builds stronger resilience over time.
The Pacific Community is leading coordination efforts. It is tracking relief supplies and supporting logistics. It is also providing technical advice and linking disaster offices across countries.
The system was endorsed by Pacific disaster ministers in 2025. Its first use comes as disaster activity rises across the region.
The focus now is on stronger coordination led by Pacific countries including Fiji…..PACNEWS
NZ – POLITICS: PMN PACNEWS 2: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Dumping Luxon now would be ‘suicidal’, former National MP warns after poll slump
WELLINGTON, 21 APRIL 2026 (PMN)—A former National MP is warning the party against any move to replace New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, saying doing so would be “suicidal” despite falling support in recent polling.
Anae Arthur Anae told Pacific Mornings the party must hold its nerve in the lead-up to the November election, even as pressure builds on National’s leader.
“It’s a pretty terrible result,” Anae says. “But it’s one of those things you’re going to have to put up with and carry it through until the election is over.”
His comments follow last week’s 1News Verian poll, conducted between 11 and 15 April, which showed National dropping four points to 30 percent while Labour rose five points to 37 percent.
Luxon’s preferred Prime Minister rating also fell four points to 16 percent, his weakest result since taking over the leadership in November 2021.
Anae, National’s first MP of Pacific heritage, said the party’s problem runs deeper than polling.
He said National had failed to balance economic decisions with everyday pressures facing households, a concern felt strongly across many communities including Pacific families dealing with rising costs.
“Politics in New Zealand and the world basically is a marriage between economics and the social needs of people and what National has done in trying to fill a black hole overnight has really affected the lives of people in New Zealand in a big way.
“That’s where the pressure is coming that they have missed that.”
Anae said there was no obvious alternative leader ready to step in. “I haven’t seen anybody coming through that can pick up the mantle right now.
“It’s a difficult time because they’ve created so much stress and pain out there at the moment so it’s not an easy one to answer.”
Senior National MPs have publicly backed Luxon with campaign chair Simeon Brown saying the party remains united.
“We have a great leader,” Brown told the media at Wellington Airport. “As a caucus, we must come together and work as a team, back our leader and deliver for New Zealanders.”
Luxon did not publicly comment on the poll.
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said the result showed voters were looking for more than a leadership change.
Davidson told Terite: “We are not interested in just kicking out a current prime minister, we are not interested in just kicking out this government.
“We are interested in putting forward a government that really does prioritise the wellbeing of regular people over the wellbeing of the wealthy few, and that means the Greens need to be the strongest influence.”
With the election only months away, National faces a difficult path to rebuild support.
For now, Anae’s message is clear: changing leaders may satisfy short-term pressure but could come at a far greater cost….PACNEWS
FIJI – AMMO FOUND: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 2: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Woman finds 20 rounds of ammunition in Nasinu settlement
SUVA, 21 APRIL 2026 (FIJI SUN) –A resident of Nadiridiri settlement in Nasinu outside Fiji’s capital Suva made a concerning discovery this morning after finding a packet containing 20 rounds of ammunition.
The woman reported the find to the Nasinu Police Station shortly after the discovery.
The individual was on her way to drop her daughter to school when she came across the yellow packet containing the rounds.
Images seen by the Fiji Sun indicate the ammunition appears to be 5.56mm blank cartridges, commonly used for training or ceremonial purposes.
Despite lacking a projectile, such rounds can still pose a safety risk at close range.
Police are expected to investigate how the ammunition came to be in a public area, particularly within a residential settlement, raising concerns about public safety and the handling or disposal of such items.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed the report, adding investigations are underway.
Members of the public are urged not to handle suspicious items and to report them immediately to the authorities.
Meanwhile, unauthorised weapons found outside official military inventory have raised fresh national security concerns.
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces last week said investigations have linked the seized weapons to an organised criminal network.
The Force believes the group is targeting key state infrastructure.
Commander Ro Jone Kalouniwai said intelligence points to coordinated efforts to undermine critical systems. He warns this poses a direct threat to public safety.
A joint task force is continuing operations to dismantle the network. ….PACNEWS
The RFMF warns that anyone involved, or offering support will face firm legal consequences under the law…PACNEWS
SAMOA – MEDIA: SAVALI NEWSPAPER PACNEWS 2: Tue 21 Apr 2026
The future of media in Samoa
APIA, 21 APRIL 2026 (SAVALI NEWSPAPER)—The media is a cornerstone of any society.
In Samoa, a new breed of young people is fast making a name for themselves, becoming a powerful force driven by the passion to inform and inspire.
They are the young, enthusiastic, up-and-coming journalists who are slowly but surely taking over the media industry in Samoa by storm.
Across the islands, emerging media professionals are stepping forward with purpose, strengthening the Fourth Estate while lighting the way for those who will follow.
This very spirit of growth and possibility traveled across lands and the Pacific Ocean during a transformative five-day journey to Australia.
Representing Samoa’s media were National University of Samoa lecturer Yumi Talaave, TV9 and 2AP reporter Matauaina Isaako, TV1 Samoa’s TV and Radio presenter Moelefue Joachim Smith, and the Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS) Vice President and NUS TV reporter Seiuli Francis Vaigalepa, and Savali Newspaper reporter Leota Marc Membrere.
Guiding them was expert journalist and PACMAS representative, Gardenia Elisaia-Morrison, and Rochelle Johnson of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
Their journey began in Canberra, where ideas met inspiration at the State of the Pacific Conference at the Australian National University.
While there, they heard from Samoa’s former Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa.
Inside Australia’s Parliament House, the team stepped into the heart of political reporting, touring the Press Gallery—a space where journalism and governance intersect daily.
Seeing firsthand how media professionals operate with direct access to leaders equipped with their own studios and offices, expanded their vision of what is possible.
Each experience planted seeds of possibility, and at the National Press Club, those seeds began to take shape.
Unlike traditional press conferences, the Press Club opened the floor to broader participation—an inclusive platform where questions are not limited to journalists alone.
Listening to Dr Danielle McMullen, President of the Australian Medical Association, the team saw the power of dialogue that invites diverse voices.
Samoa, too, could build a space where conversation thrives, transparency deepens, and public engagement grows. The vision of a Samoan Press Club was no longer distant—it became a goal.
In Brisbane, the journey continued with a deep dive into the inner workings of the ABC.
From the vibrant Pacific-focused program Nesia Daily to the fast-paced coordination of breaking news teams, the delegation witnessed storytelling in motion.
They saw how diverse teams collaborate seamlessly, and how voices from across the Pacific intensify, and how a commitment to truth and connection drives every broadcast.
Each lesson, each conversation, each observation added another layer of understanding.
This journey was more than a trip—it was a turning point. For some, it clarified purpose. For others, it sparked new ambition. For all, it reinforced a shared belief: that media in Samoa is not only evolving but rising.
These young journalists belong to different organisations, speak to different audiences, and tell different stories in their line of work however they share a common vision that makes the future of Samoa’s media bright…..PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
SAMOA – CENTRAL BANK REFORM: PMN PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Sāmoa government pushes bank reforms despite IMF concerns
APIA, 21 APRIL 2026 (PMN)—Sāmoa’s government is pushing ahead with planned changes to its central bank laws despite fresh concerns from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about political influence and economic stability.
Finance Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o has downplayed the IMF’s warning, saying the reform process is still ongoing and no final decisions have been made.
Speaking at a press conference on 17 April, she said she was not expecting the Fund to step in at this stage. “I was surprised the IMF wrote to me,” she said.
Mulipola said consultations are continuing across government agencies and are being handled alongside other law changes.
She also stressed the reforms are not new ideas. According to her, changes to the Central Bank framework were first raised under the previous government and are now being carried forward.
As Minister of Finance, Mulipola said she represents Sāmoa in international financial institutions including the IMF, World Bank, and Asian Development Bank (ADB), and would formally engage with the Fund once internal processes are complete.
At the centre of the debate is whether Sāmoa’s central bank should remain fully independent or come under closer government control.
The IMF and the Central Bank of Sāmoa (CBS) have both raised concerns that the draft changes could give government ministers more say over key decisions including interest rates and inflation control.
They warn this could weaken protections designed to keep politics out of day-to-day financial decisions.
Under current law, the Central Bank operates independently with the Governor appointed for a fixed term to help ensure long-term stability and confidence in the system.
But proposed changes could expand the role of the Finance Minister and shift some powers into regulations, which the IMF has warned could weaken governance safeguards.
In its letter to the Attorney-General’s office, the central bank said the proposed changes came as a surprise and raised concerns about the speed at which they are moving.
It warned the reforms could weaken the bank’s independence, increase the risk of political influence and create legal uncertainty, especially during times of economic stress.
The IMF echoed those concerns in a letter to Mulipola, published on 09 April. The Fund warned the reforms could weaken the bank’s autonomy, a key safeguard for managing inflation and maintaining confidence.
It also raised concerns that shifting powers into regulations could make it easier to change how the bank operates.
Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt has rejected the IMF warnings, calling them outside interference.
“This is the bank of Samoa. It’s not the bank of any other international body governed from beyond our shores,” he told local media. “This government can make its own decisions on what is best and what should be done.”
He also questioned the role of international partners asking: “What is the threshold for interference by foreign entities we are in partnership with?”
Opposition leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has backed the IMF’s position, warning the changes could affect Sāmoa’s access to funding and international support.
“The IMF doesn’t need us, but we definitely need the IMF,” Tuilaepa said, adding that countries typically take such advice seriously to avoid economic instability.
For small Pacific economies like Sāmoa, central bank independence is widely seen as important for building trust with investors and maintaining stable prices.
Those links matter. Sāmoa’s latest Budget shows development funding remains a key part of government spending, supporting major projects and services.
As the proposed changes remain under review, the outcome could shape how much trust international partners place in Sāmoa’s economy, and how costly it becomes for the country to fund its development….PACNEWS
SOL – DEVELOPMENT FUND: SOLOMON STAR PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Western Province tops PCDF rankings in Solomon Islands
GIZO, 21 APRIL 2026 (SOLOMON STAR) —Western Province has emerged as the top-performing province in Solomon Islands under the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF), achieving the highest score of 71 out of 100 in the latest national performance assessment.
The result places the province ahead of others, including Temotu Province, which scored 70 points, and confirms Western Province’s strong standing in governance, financial management and accountability.
Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS), Rollen Seleso, commended the province for its outstanding performance, describing it as a model for other provinces to follow.
He revealed this on Monday at the opening and handing over of the new Youth centre in Gizo.
“Western Province has met all 11 minimum conditions under the PCDF and ranked first in the performance assessment with 71 points out of 100,” Seleso said.
“This achievement clearly reflects strong governance, sound financial management and accountability in the use of public funds.”
Seleso said the province’s consistent track record, including attaining qualified audit opinions for almost 11 consecutive years, has placed it among the most reliable and trusted provincial administrations in the country.
“Such a record places Western Province among the most reliable and trusted provincial governments in Solomon Islands,” he said.
Since the introduction of the PCDF, Western Province has received close to SBD69 million and successfully delivered more than 400 infrastructure projects across its 26 wards.
Seleso said the continued strong performance has enabled the province to secure additional funding to support ongoing development.
“Because of its strong performance and qualification under the PCDF, Western Province received about SBD11.5 million in the 2025/2026 fiscal year to finance its development projects,” he said.
He further revealed that with the approval of additional financing under the Institutional and Economic Development Capacity Reform (IEDCR) program, the province’s development budget is expected to increase further.
“This may increase the Western Province development budget to more than SBD$30 million (US$3.7 million) for 2026/2027, allowing the province to expand its development portfolio beyond the 43 projects already appropriated this year,” Seleso added.
He assured provincial leaders and stakeholders that the ministry will continue to support all provinces to improve service delivery and infrastructure development.
“The Ministry’s door remains open, and our technical team will continue to work closely with all nine provinces to leverage additional funding and support the delivery of resilient economic and social infrastructure,” he said.
Seleso acknowledged that while the PCDF requirements are demanding, they are necessary to ensure transparency and attract further support.
“Although access conditions under PCDF can be very demanding, these high standards enable us to attract and secure supplementary funding to complement the efforts of the Solomon Islands Government,” he said.
Western Province’s performance is expected to boost confidence among development partners and further strengthen its ability to deliver essential services to its people….PACNEWS
FIJI – UNION: FIJI SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Fiji Teachers Union proposes psychosocial leave for teachers
SUVA, 21 APRIL 2026 (FIJI SUN)—The Fiji Teachers Union (FTU) has proposed the introduction of psychosocial leave for employees.
FTU general secretary Muniappa Goundar said psychosocial leave was necessary to improve employee welfare.
He made the proposal during the World Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Day celebrations held recently in Labasa.
Psychosocial factors relate to the interaction between social conditions and an individual’s thoughts and behaviour.
Goundar said workers often faced family issues and psychological stress at home and required a few days off to resolve such matters.
“Migration of workers can be seen when adequate rest or welfare is not considered. In the teaching profession, migration continues to New Zealand and Australia due to better working conditions,” he said.
He described the current work environment as fast‑paced, demanding and often unforgiving.
According to Goundar, psychosocial issues often stem from toxic work environments, excessive workloads, job insecurity and a lack of supervisory support.
He said Australia had implemented a 10‑day psychosocial leave to assist workers dealing with family disputes or personal issues.
“Workers are assets, not machines to be used and discarded,” Goundar said, calling for better leave provisions and rest periods to ensure employees felt valued.
He added that the ongoing debate over absenteeism, commonly referred to as Monday or Friday fever, could be addressed if employees were given adequate rest.
“Safe working environments, decent wages and fair workloads are not privileges — they are the rights of every worker,” he said.
Goundar said teachers were facing workload burnout but remained committed to their profession, stressing that appropriate measures were needed to ensure their rest and wellbeing.
“Teachers are now burdened with excessive administrative work, when their priority should be teaching,” he said.
He said the proposal for psychosocial leave should be tabled in Parliament at its next sitting to ensure timely implementation for staff welfare.
Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Agni Deo Singh confirmed the proposal would be tabled in Parliament….PACNEWS
PACNEWS In Focus
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Fiji’s National Referendum Bill: what it says, what it restricts, and why it matters
A plain-language breakdown of Bill No. 46 of 2025 — the legislation that will govern how Fijians vote on constitutional change, and why civil society, lawyers and opposition parties say it threatens to make that process hollow.
By Lanieta Tukana, Founding Editor, Fiji Political Review
The short version
SUVA, 21 APRIL 2026 ( FIJI POLITICAL REVIEW) —Fiji’s government tabled the National Referendum Bill 2025 on 4 December 2025 — the final sitting day of parliament for the year. The bill establishes the legal rules for conducting a constitutional referendum. It has since been referred to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights for review.
On the surface, the bill fills a genuine gap: Fiji has never held a constitutional referendum, and no legal framework existed to govern one. The government’s stated intention is to ensure any future referendum is conducted with integrity and impartiality.
But the bill’s specific provisions have drawn sharp criticism from civil society organisations, legal experts, opposition parties, and Fiji’s own former chief legal advisor, all of whom argue that the restrictions go far beyond ensuring orderly conduct, and risk producing a referendum in which the government controls the flow of information while ordinary Fijians are prohibited from campaigning.
Why this matters now: With a general election due between August 2026 and February 2027, and the government committed to constitutional reform before going to the polls, the rules established by this bill will directly shape whether any resulting constitutional changes carry democratic legitimacy — or simply the appearance of it.
How Fiji got here: the constitutional backdrop
The 2013 Constitution, introduced by then-Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama following the 2006 coup, was designed to be nearly impossible to change. Section 160 required a three-quarters majority vote in parliament, followed by a referendum passed by three-quarters of all registered voters. Not three-quarters of those who turned out: three-quarters of every registered voter in Fiji.
To understand how high that bar was: in the 2022 election, there were 693,915 registered voters, but voter turnout was 68.3 percent. Mathematically, even if every person who voted in 2022 had voted yes in a referendum, it would not have been enough to pass a constitutional amendment.
The Rabuka government, which came to power in December 2022 on a platform that included constitutional reform, attempted to change this in March 2025, proposing a bill that would have made amendment meaningfully achievable: reducing the parliamentary bar from three-quarters to two-thirds, and replacing a referendum threshold that demanded approval from three-quarters of every registered voter — whether they voted or not, with a standard majority of valid votes cast. That bill failed: it received 40 votes, short of the three-quarters supermajority required under Section 160 of the 2013 Constitution.
In August 2025, the Supreme Court issued an advisory opinion that narrowed the amendment threshold. Rather than the near-impossible original requirements, the Court ruled that an amendment could proceed with a two-thirds parliamentary majority followed by a simple majority in a referendum. That opinion cleared the path for constitutional change, and the National Referendum Bill is the government’s attempt to lay the foundations.
What the bill actually says: the key provisions
High concern:
*Section 22 — Bans creation or distribution of any campaign materials during the referendum period
*Section 23 — Bans doorstep canvassing — the primary method of grassroots organising in rural and maritime Fiji
* Clause 11 — Referendum question published only five days before polling
Significant concern:
*Clause 24 — Parliamentary parties permitted near polling stations; civil society excluded
*Clause 25 — Gatherings of five or more people are unlawful if they cause “intimidation, alarm or annoyance” — penalties up to one year in prison
Constructive:
*Overall framework — Establishes Fiji’s first legal framework for conducting a referendum
What critics are saying — and who is saying it
The criticism of this bill is not coming from a single partisan source. It spans Fiji’s legal profession, civil society sector, and opposition parties.
The Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) told the Standing Committee that the bill was “significantly weak” on core democratic principles and may contravene international standards for free suffrage. FCOSS executive director Vani Catanasiga described the near-total ban on political campaigning in Clauses 22 and 23 as a “major concern” that “directly contradicts the international principle of freedom of expression.”
She also compared the bill’s five-day notice period for the referendum question to the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice Referendum, where voters had seven months for public discussion before polling day.
The Fiji Labour Party’s representative before the committee, Dr Sunil Kumar, called the bill “unconstitutional and undemocratic” arguing that it criminalises normal campaigning and violates freedom of speech, expression, assembly, and association.
He noted that democracies, including Australia, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, and New Zealand, actively encourage campaigning during referendums and do not criminalise it.
The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement described the measures as “draconian and capable of silencing large groups of under-represented people,” specifically flagging the impact on women, youth, and marginalised communities who rely on grassroots organising and community discussion to participate in political life.
Perhaps most significantly, Fiji’s former chief legal advisor, appearing before the Standing Committee, told parliament that the bill, as drafted, is antithetical to its stated objective of giving the Fijian people a voice.
The government’s position: Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga told parliament the clauses “are intended solely to ensure the orderly, transparent, and impartial conduct of referendums.”
The government argues the bill fills a genuine legal gap and that its provisions mirror the blackout periods used in democratic elections around the world. The government has not publicly responded in detail to the specific criticisms of Clause 25’s “annoyance” standard or the five-day notice period.
The democratic legitimacy question
At the heart of this debate is a question that goes beyond the specific clauses: if constitutional change is achieved through a process in which ordinary Fijians were legally prevented from campaigning, discussing, or organising around the question, and in which only the government had an unrestricted platform, would the result carry genuine democratic legitimacy?
Comparative experience suggests that referendum legitimacy depends heavily on the quality of public deliberation before the vote, not just the procedural conduct of voting day itself. A referendum conducted in silence is not the same as a referendum conducted with informed consent.
The Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights concluded its public hearings in early 2026, receiving submissions from across the political and civil society spectrum. The Fiji Labour Party called the Bill unconstitutional. The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement warned that Section 23 could criminalise ordinary advocacy. FCOSS argued that the five-day notice period for publishing referendum questions fell well short of international best practice. The University of Fiji raised concerns about the Bill’s constitutional foundations. Even former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, appearing before the committee in late March 2026, told members the Bill was antithetical to its stated objective of giving the Fijian people a voice. The committee’s report is expected before parliament debates the Bill. Whether its recommendations require substantive amendments, particularly to Clauses 22, 23, and 25, will be one of the most important indicators of whether the Rabuka government’s commitment to constitutional reform extends to the process, not just the outcome….PACNEWS
Lanieta Tukana is the founding editor of the Fiji Political Review. She writes on Fijian politics, constitutional reform and democratic governance. Website: https://www.fijipoliticalreview.com/author/lanieta
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Tuvalu disability data shed light on gaps in access to communication, education and work
FUNAFUTI, 21 APRIL 2206 (SPC)—New analysis from Tuvalu’s censuses shows that people living with disabilities are less likely to be connected, educated or employed than those without disabilities—evidence that can help guide more inclusive policy and planning.
The Tuvalu Central Statistics Division, with technical support from the Pacific Community (SPC), has published a Tuvalu disability monograph alongside an easy-read summary, analysing disability data from the country’s 2017 and 2022 censuses.
The new publication provides Tuvaluans with a clearer picture of how disability relates to living conditions, education, employment and access to information.
Key findings
*Prevalence: Around 3 percent of Tuvaluans aged five years and older, or 239 people, reported “a lot of difficulty” or “cannot do at all” in seeing, hearing, walking, cognition, self‑care and/or communication.
*Age: Disability becomes more common with age, rising from around 1 in 100 people under 50, to 16 in 100 people aged 65 and older.
*Sex: Women and girls are slightly more likely than men and boys to report a disability.
*Living conditions: 25 percent of people with disabilities live in the poorest households, compared with 16 percent of people without disabilities.
*Access to information: Mobile phone ownership (19 percent) and internet access (20 percent) among people with disabilities are much lower than among people without disabilities (54 percent and 66 percent, respectively).
*Education: 68 percent of people with disabilities aged five years and older have attended school, compared with 92 percent of people without disabilities, and fewer aged 25 years and older reach post‑secondary education (23 percent compared with 36 percent).
*Employment: Only 8% of people with disabilities aged 15 and over had a job, compared with 42 percent of those without disabilities.
How disability is measured
The publications explore disability as a continuum, rather than a fixed category. Standard sets of questions promoted by the Washington Group on Disability Statistics were used in the censuses to provide information on disability that is internationally comparable.
These Washington Group questions capture levels of difficulty across six core domains—seeing, hearing, walking, cognition, self‑care and communication—with response options ranging from “no difficulty” to “cannot do at all”.
Different cut‑off points can be used for different policy purposes. For example, when people reporting “some difficulty” are included, around 14% of Tuvaluans aged five and older experience at least some level of functional difficulty. When the threshold is limited to “a lot of difficulty” or “cannot do at all”, the group narrows to those most likely to need targeted support.
Access to information and communication
One of the clearest differences in the data relates to access to telecommunications. People with disabilities are much less likely to own a mobile phone or have internet access.
Limited access to communication can make it harder to receive important information, including during emergencies, and also restrict opportunities to learn new skills or access services online.
Education outcomes
Education gaps appear early and continue through higher levels. Fewer people with disabilities attend school, and those who do are less likely to progress to post‑secondary education.
Among people aged 15 and older, literacy in English is also lower for people with disabilities (69 percent) than for people without disabilities (95%), which can affect access to adult learning and employment.
Participation in work
Employment outcomes show the largest differences between the two groups. Most people with disabilities aged 15 and over are not working and not looking for work, and only a small share are in paid employment.
These patterns are consistent with findings from disability analyses in other Pacific countries and territories, where education, accessibility and labour‑market barriers interact over time.
Why this matters
Improving inclusion of people with disabilities in data and decision-making is at the heart of a partnership between Pacific organisations. This latest report is part of the Pacific Group on Disability Statistics (PGDS) multi-year project supported by the Australian Government, launched in 2024.
SPC, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Pacific Disability Forum, UNICEF and the national statistical offices of Kiribati, Fiji and Samoa are leading the PGDS initiatives aiming to address Pacific disability data gaps.
“Including the Washington question set in censuses and national surveys across the region is a good start—and a key goal of the work coordinated by the Pacific Group on Disability Statistics”, says Ms Evelyn Wareham, Deputy Director of SPC’s Statistics for Development Division.
“When we ask the right questions—ones that are both internationally comparable and culturally relevant—we lay the foundation for data that drives informed policy and change,” Wareham said.
According to Angus Amasone, Tuvalu’s Acting Government Statistician, the value of the monograph lies in how it can be used.
“This analysis helps us understand where gaps exist and where attention is needed,” he said. “Having clear, comparable data allows Tuvalu to plan services and policies that better reflect the experiences of people with disabilities.”….PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
A mine despoiled the beauty of the rainforest. This Goldman Prize winner took action
By Gabrielle Emanuel
BUKA, 21 APRIL 2026 (NPR)—Theonila Roka Matbob was born in what should have been a lush rainforest. Her family’s home is near the centre of the largest island in Papua New Guinea’s Autonomous Region of Bougainville in the Pacific Ocean.
Instead, she says, the mountains around her were mostly rock and sand. “You have to go miles — into another region and territory — to find the trees, the forest,” says Roka Matbob, who is now 35.
She grew up hearing constant warnings about the environment. “From our grandparents and parents, the advice you always get is: Don’t go near the water. Don’t go near the river. It is poisonous. Do not eat anything that falls onto the ground,” she recalls. “And they don’t tell you why.”
Roka Matbob started asking questions and, eventually, she figured out the why.
Her work as an activist to repair the environmental and social harms has earned her The Goldman Environmental Prize for 2026. The winners were announced Monday: grassroots environmental champions, one in each of the world’s inhabited regions. Roka Matbob won for the island nations.
The trigger for her environmental woes — and activism — is a mine.
Roka Matbob grew up minutes from the Panguna copper and gold mine, which had been developed by Rio Tinto, one of the world’s largest mining companies with headquarters in Australia and the UK. The mine near Roka Matbob’s home was run through the subsidiary Bougainville Copper Ltd. While the mine had long been abandoned, between 1972 and 1989 it produced millions of tons of copper and hundreds of tons of gold and silver.
It also provoked a bloody, decade-long civil war — one that started when tension turned to violence as the mining company brought in outside labor and took out the profits. The military was brought in to stop the uprising and the conflict evolved into a separatist insurgency.
The war claimed thousands of lives and wreaked havoc on the community. Just a few days shy of Roka Matbob’s third birthday, her father was taken by an armed group and later killed.
Amid the unrest, the mine shut down. But, Roka Matbob says, that led to new problems. There was no plan to address environmental damage and contamination.
“I was born into that broken environment. Growing up it’s a life on survival mode permanently,” Roka Matbob says.
She adds that her mother and remaining family were “nomadic” as they looked for safety. They ended up moving into a government controlled camp.
When a peace agreement was signed, in 1998, Roka Matbob felt it didn’t address the underlying issues, including the continued environment devastation and how thousands of people were being “denied a normal island life.”
Her activism started as a high schooler leading protests. She went on to become the lead complainant in a landmark human rights complaint filed by the Human Rights Law Centre against Rio Tinto. The result has been hailed as a major win. In 2021, Rio Tinto agreed to fund an independent assessment and, in 2024, signed a memorandum of understanding to work with the impacted communities to address and remediate the situation.
“Theonila is leading a historic effort to obtain justice for decades of environmental and social devastation because of the Panguna mine,” says Ilan Kayatsky, of the Goldman Environmental Prize, in a statement to NPR.
“She understood that no one else would step forward to coordinate a campaign and demand accountability. Her efforts have brought together a coalition intent on improving the lives of Bougainvilleans, today and into the future.”
NPR spoke with Roka Matbob to learn more about her work and perspective on conquering challenges that can feel insurmountable. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
At what point did you realise that you could make a difference?
There were a couple milestones. In 2019, when we — the community — invited the Human Rights Law Centre to really come and listen to us. Just hearing us out was, for me, progress.
Then, when they supported us by publishing a report called “After the mine: Living with Rio Tinto’s deadly legacy,” we got a note from Rio Tinto saying they’ve never been on the ground to understand the impact. And, to me, it was progress again: They read it.
And then, lodging a legal complaint and Rio Tinto responding in 24 hours was progress because that was a platform where I could speak directly [to them].
So you published a report and took legal action and the mining company responded. How did that make you feel?
It is a dream come true for me — the opportunity to represent the people’s voice and to talk directly to the stakeholder who changed our lives. I shed tears to say, finally, my grandmother didn’t [get to talk directly to them] but I’m going to do that now.
But while we welcomed it, when you’re permanently in a broken environment, it does not give you space to pause and celebrate and move on. So, the next layer is: How soon [can we fix it]? How long is it going to take?
You have been fighting for this for many years. Is there something you go back to that keeps motivating you?
I am from the Indigenous Nasioi people and the Basikang clan, where the land, the environment is an inseparable part of my life. This is something that I can’t take lightly.
Did you ever consider simply leaving?
I cannot move because, if I am going to be moving, I’m going to be moving into another tribal territory, and that is considered a no-go zone. So this is where my children and grandchildren will live as well. We’ll always be here. We need a lasting solution, so that motivates me.
What else motivates you?
Being a mother. No mother would want to pass on to her child a broken, contaminated portion of the environment. I’ve got two children [ages 8 and 4] and there are so many children around who are their age but don’t have mothers who are able to come out and fight.
You were one of a very small number of women elected to Bougainville’s House of Representatives, where you continued your advocacy. How have gender dynamics played into your work?
It’s a bit tricky. With politics — the culture — is very patriarchal. But, also, it’s a blessing. [In my clan,] we women are the land guardians and keepers. There is this proverb in my language and territory: It takes a woman to cry to start a fight, and it also takes a woman’s tears to broker peace. So [this fight to get answers and solutions] is really a woman’s place in the community.
This Goldman honor comes with a cash prize. What do you plan to do with it?
That’s a decision to make with the community. It takes a village to create a win. So it takes a village to make that decision as well.
When will you feel your work is done? When there’s a green rainforest around you?
No. The damage caused is irreversible. I will work so long as this activism brings hope to the people. I want them to be able to understand their whys and start transiting out of living in survival mode to living in thriving mode……PACNEWS
