New Tonga PM unveils Cabinet
Tonga’s Prime Minister, Dr ‘Aisake Eke, has announced a new Cabinet which includes four unelected representatives. According to the constitution, the Prime Minister can nominate no more than four unelected
Government
Five political parties sign agreement to form the next government
Leaders of five major political parties in Vanuatu — the Leaders Party, Graon mo Jastis Party (GJP), Vanua’aku Party (VP), Iauko Group, and the Reunification Movement for Change (RMC) have come together to sign an
No changes to Tonga cabinet – PM
Tonga’s Prime Minister, Dr Aisake Eke, has announced that his new Cabinet will comprise the same ministers from the previous administration until his new ministers are officially appointed. Eke was officially
Historic gains for women as Palau’s 12th National Government takes office
The 12th Palau National Government has been officially installed, marking a peaceful transition of power with a mix of returning and new leaders signaling potential shifts from the past four years. In the Senate,
Alcide Ponga elected as President of New Caledonia
Alcide Ponga, president of the anti-independence party Rassemblement-Les Républicains, has been elected as the new President of New Caledonia. Ponga replaces outgoing President Louis Mapou of the Parti de Libération
Samoa’s Tulsi Gabbard heads U.S. intelligence
United States President-elect Donald Trump has appointed former congresswoman and Samoan, Tulsi Gabbard to serve as director of National
Justice Filimoni Jitoko appointed new Speaker of Fiji’s Parliament
Fiji’s Parliament has a new Speaker, Retired Judge Justice Filimoni Jitoko, following a 34-15 vote that secured him the
Former Labor senator to be Australia’s first anti-slavery commissioner
Former Labor minister Chris Evans will be Australia’s first anti-slavery commissioner, with the attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, announcing the longtime senator will take up a five-year term in
National Policy to advocate against LGBTQIA+ in Vanuatu: MoJCS
Vanuatu's Ministry of Justice and Community Services will appoint a new committee next week to draft a National Policy banning all LGBTQIA+ advocacy and
Kiribati elects President Maamau for third term
New Zealand congratulated Kiribati's Taneti Maamau after the president was elected on Saturday to a third term in charge of the Pacific Island
Opinion: Biases within the capital flows to the Pacific
Earlier this month, USAID announced additional support to the Pacific Island economies, focusing on inclusive and sustainable economic growth and climate change.
Fiji PM Rabuka nominates Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu for President
Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced Speaker of Parliament Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu as his nominee for the next President of
Solomon Islands PM defends $2.1 million trip
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has defended his recent SBD$2.1 million (US$249,000) back-to-back trip to the Gulf States of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab
Opinion: Two ideas from Fiji for PNG’s upcoming budget
With the 2025 budget due to be delivered next month (November 2024), PNG should look to Fiji to see what else it could do to help the country’s
PNG Petroleum Minister announces review of Oil and Gas Act
Papua New Guinea Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina, has announced a comprehensive review of the country’s ageing Oil and Gas
Niue celebrates 50 years of self governing
The Government of Niue has announced its commemoration of 50 years as a self-governing state, celebrating half a century of
Taneti Maamau expected to win third term as Kiribati president
Kiribati went to the polls in late August and in nine days, the final part of the electoral process will be completed with the president's
Opinion: A CHOGM Rorschach Test
Heads of state and senior representatives from all 56 Commonwealth countries will converge in Apia, Samoa next week for the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, known as CHOGM. According to the
VT8.6 billion cut in Vanuatu’s 2025 national budget
The Bill for the Appropriation (2025) Act in Vanuatu reflects a reduction in the national budget by VT8.6 billion (US$72.11 million) for the year
‘Not in my lifetime’: Niue PM on independence
The question remains as to whether Niue will eventually become fully independent. “I don’t think in my lifetime,” said Tagelagi. “But I’m optimistic like everyone else that it will lead to
Millions ‘not properly audited’ for APEC: PNG Auditor General
More than K500 million (US$127 million) of public funds expended to deliver Apec 2018 in Port Moresby could not be properly audited because of poor or no
Kiribati presidential candidates release manifestos
The candidates for President in Kiribati have published their manifestos, as required by a new
Palau signs FY 2025 Budget Act, averting government shutdown
The Palau national government avoided a shutdown with the signing of the Fiscal Year 2025 Unified Budget Act on 30 September
