CNMI seeks to address fiscal crisis
CNMI leaders on Sunday announced plans to revise the government’s current budget to address the “urgent fiscal challenges” facing the commonwealth. “While it’s not easy to share this news, I believe we
Government
Opinion: The Rabuka government: a first-third assessment
Ice hockey is, almost uniquely, a game played over three thirds. You won’t find much ice hockey in tropical Fiji, but its speed and brutality certainly find parallels in the world of Fijian politics. The Sitiveni
U-turn on electric vehicles: Cook Islands Government retains unsold vehicles due to lack of bids
Cook Islands Government will retain and distribute eight electric vehicles (EVs) it previously tried to sell due to lack of bids likely caused by affordability concerns. These eight EVs were part of a larger purchase
Tuvalu PM announces new Cabinet
Tuvalu’s newly-elected Prime Minister, Feleti Teo has named his Cabinet lineup. Governor General Tofiga Vaevalu Falani, in the exercise of authority granted by sections 63, 64, and 68 of Tuvalu’s
Taiwan envoy says Tuvalu ties ‘rock solid’ post-election
Lawmakers in Tuvalu have selected Feleti Teo as the Pacific island nation’s new prime minister, weeks after an election that put ties with Taiwan in focus. Former Attorney General Teo secured the support of
Feleti Teo elected unopposed as Tuvalu’s new Prime Minister
Feleti Teo secured the position of Tuvalu’ new Prime Minister without facing any opposition Monday. He was elected to the Parliament of Tuvalu after the 2024 general election in January. Tuvalu MP Simon Kofe took to
FSM launches first Citizens Budget
A first-of-its-kind Citizens Budget has been launched in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). FSM’s Department of Finance and Administration (DOFA) in a statement today said the National Government Fiscal
Vanuatu referendum seeks to instill stability after revolving-door governments
An upcoming referendum in Vanuatu to outlaw political-party hopping by legislators has sparked lively debate in the Pacific island country, which has faced three changes of government in the past year. Dissatisfaction
‘Ball is in PM’s court’: Tonga’s former attorney general says communication is key
A former Attorney General of Tonga says there’s still a chance to resolve matters between the two main authorities in Tonga. ‘Aminiasi Kefu was the acting Attorney General of Tonga from 2014 to 2019. His
Who will form the next government is the question on the minds of the people of Tuvalu
As the capital, Funafuti prepares to welcome the last four elected Members of Parliament from the northern islands of Nanumea and Nanumaga, the people of Tuvalu are waiting with anticipation on the formation of the new
PNG PM Marape describes killings in Enga as act of terrorism
The killing in Enga is an act of domestic terrorism and the National Executive Council (NEC) will meet to decide on what will be done to address the situation, says Prime Minister James Marape. Marape said at a press
Delay in glitch investigation raises concerns
The Electoral Commission of Fiji (ECF) is concerned over the prolonged delay in investigating the “glitch” that occurred during the vote counting process in the 2022 General Elections. In a statement this week, the
Albert Nicholas appointed Cook Islands Deputy PM
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has confirmed the appointment of Albert Nicholas as the country’s Deputy Prime Minister (DPM). The Avatiu–Ruatonga–Palmerston MP holds the Infrastructure Cook Islands,
Opinion: The standoff between Tonga’s King and government
Tonga: Early last week, the Secretary of Tonga’s Privy Council wrote to the Chief Secretary (Secretary to Cabinet and to the Prime Minister), saying: “I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty in Council’s
Call for King to ‘urgently’ refine Tonga democracy
Tongan Democrats in New Zealand have called on the King to urgently refine what they describe as the country’s fragile democracy. They said the memorandum King Tupou VI sent withdrawing his consent to the appointment
O.U.R. Party unveils five key policy priorities: Solomon Islands Caretaker PM Sogavare
Solomon Islands Parliamentary leader of O.U.R. Party and caretaker Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare has unveiled the five key policy priorities of the party during the launching of the party’s manifesto. The
PNG PM Marape addresses Opposition’s vote of no confidence motion with confidence
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, James Marape has openly welcomed the Opposition’s motion for a vote-of-no-confidence against him. This announcement came after the Acting Speaker, Konie Iguan, briefed Parliament
PNG PM Marape describes challenge as ‘frivolous’ and ‘opportunistic’
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, James Marape has described planned attempts to challenge his government in a vote of no confidence motion as “frivolous and opportunistic”. The traditional 18-month grace period that
Three PNG MPs defect government amidst vote of no confidence agenda
Three members of Papua New Guinea parliament have defected from the government to join the opposition as moves aimed at throwing out the Pangu-led government. The vote of no confidence agenda is high on the table as
No government yet: Tuvalu MPs still trapped in outer islands
Tuvalu is yet to form a new government two weeks after their general elections because elected representatives from the outer islands are still stuck and can not make it to the capital Funafuti. Senior electoral officer
Tonga government to ‘talanoa’ with King about “unconstitutional” directive
Tonga’s Acting Prime Minister, Samiuela Vaipulu says the government will resolve its differences with the King “the Pacific Way”. This comes after the government rejected a directive from the Privy Council,
Former PNG PM worried about laws to curb media, freedom of speech
The Papua New Guinea Government plans to introduce laws to curb free speech and freedom of the press, former prime minister Peter O’Neill says. In a statement, O’Neill said the same law would jail any journalist or
A new government in the making in Tuvalu
Reports coming from Funafuti seem to suggest that a new government is in the making – comprising Opposition members from the previous Parliament and the newly elected members. PACNEWS has been reliably informed that