Australia appoints first special envoy for the Pacific
A new special envoy role will help Australia strengthen its already strong bond with the Pacific, the federal government says. Ewen McDonald, a senior foreign affairs department official, will take on the inaugural role
Jetstar launches new route to Cook Islands
Australian travellers can now pay a stopover-free visit to the Cook Island’s famous turquoise shores with the launch of new direct flights. The new Jetstar service takes off as Pacific Island travel demand spikes in
Australia to provide funding support for Solomon Islands election
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had a bilateral meeting with the Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Richard Marles Wednesday. The Australian DPM used the official engagement to
Opinion: Australia should support minimum terms and conditions for Pacific seabed mining
The extraction of deep seabed mining resources on an industrial scale at incredible depths is a new frontier with many unknowns. But the potential gains are immense. Deep sea deposits contain manganese, cobalt, nickel,
Collision course: Australia’s flatlining aid and its climate finance commitments
Recent data shows that official development assistance (ODA, “aid”) is increasingly being spent as a form of climate finance. The OECD reported that climate finance increased from 21.7 percent of bilateral ODA in
Japan, Australia, U.S to fund undersea cable connection in Micronesia to counter China’s influence
Japan announced Tuesday that it joined the United States and Australia in signing a US$95 million undersea cable project that will connect East Micronesia island nations to improve networks in the Indo-Pacific region
PNG high on the cards for NRL expansion, says Australian rugby league boss
Australian Rugby League Commission boss Peter V’landys has revealed plans for an expanded National Rugby League competition by 2026 with Papua New Guinea at the “top of the list” to win the code’s coveted 18th
Christian Lealiifano eyes shock Samoa World Cup selection
Cancer survivor Christian Lealiifano is close to penning another special chapter in his rollercoaster career with a 2023 Rugby World Cup appearance for Samoa. The former Wallabies playmaker has revealed he is
AIFFP, ADB, PNG Ports and corruption
The recent two-part ABC Background Briefing series “Dead Man’s Secrets” makes for compelling listening. It is the story of two men, Fego Kiniafa, former PNG Ports CEO, and Don Matheson, Australian businessman and
PNG delays bilateral security pact with Australia over sovereignity concerns
A proposed bilateral security treaty between Australia and Papua New Guinea has been delayed due to Port Moresby's fears the proposed wording encroached on the nation's
Vanuatu’s Brian Kaltak voted in A-League’s PFA Team of the season
Vanuatu international and Central Coast Mariners defender Brian Kaltak has been voted in the PFA Team of the Season for Australia’s A-League. The imposing stopper has enjoyed an incredible season, his first full
Digitising without data
Pacific policy makers need support A recent United Nations report on the Digital Economy has recommended the formation of an ‘Institute for Pacific Digital Economies’ in one of the region’s universities to track
Nauru offshore processing to cost Australian taxpayers $485m
Offshore processing on Nauru will cost Australia $485m (US$320 million) this year, despite the fact there are just 22 refugees and asylum seekers left at the Pacific Island’s regional processing centre. Department of
Fijiana rugby goes down to Wallaroos
The Fijiana 15s side went down 22-5 against the Australia Wallaroos at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney last night. While halfback, Evivi Senikarivi made a few clean line-breaks to spark the attack for the Fijiana, passes
A lasting legacy: Tui Kamikamica’s ultimate gift to family
To the untrained eye they are just hills, but to Tui Kamikamica they are the ticket to building generational wealth for his family. It’s here in the place the Storm front-rower was raised, on an island made up of
Australia invests to counter China’s influence in the Pacific
Australia will spend almost $2 billion(US$1.3 million) on improving relations with Pacific island nations as it seeks to counter China’s growing influence in the region. As well as spending $1.4 billion(US$947
Progress on PALM worker proposal for shearing industry
Pacific islands workers could be working in Australian sheds this Spring if negotiations with the Federal Government and industry groups can be finalised to allow training to start in August. Long-time Pacific Australia
Heleina Young, the track sprinter turned try express in Super W
The flying feet of the Queensland Reds’ instant star Heleina Young had lived a lifetime in rugby but never a proper game of 15-a-side until 12 months ago. The astonishing rise of the former track sprinter from Suva
Australia to increase funding in the Pacific
A wide-ranging Pacific assistance package covering environmental, military, and economic support for Australia’s closest neighbours will be unveiled in Tuesday’s budget, as the Albanese government moves to
Gold Coast to host 2023 Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship
Four nations will battle for supremacy in the region’s pinnacle premier women’s rugby competition, the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship. The Gold Coast City Council and Bond University, with support
Cultural importance behind decision not to restrict kava use in NZ, as Australia tightens rules urgently
A Pacific kava expert has praised the government for not restricting its use, despite the Australian government urgently tightening their rules. Last year, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) agreed to amend
Deep-seabed mining is creating a noisy problem for Australia — and it’s only getting louder
Given the exponential threats it poses to the marine environment, deep seabed mining is destined to become a contentious global environmental issue. The risks are significant enough to make a mockery of any
Olympic champion Adams urges Brisbane 2032 to ensure legacy for Oceania
New Zealand’s double Olympic shot put champion Dame Valerie Adams has urged organisers of the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics in Brisbane to ensure the Games benefit the entire Oceania region and not just Australia.
Australia would be smart to recruit soldiers in the Pacific, former Fijian British Army officer explains
Fiji has a track record of service to the British crown. Travel to Hereford, where the Special Air Service is based, and you will find a statue of Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba, who was one of the 212 Fijians who joined
