Opinion: Decriminalisation of same-sex relations in Cook Islands
On 14 April 2023, during the second reading of the Crimes (Sexual Offence) Amendment Bill 2023, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, in this speech, said: We are a free country, we have freedom of speech, we have
Hawaii poised to slap tourists with $25 climate tax
Lawmakers in Hawaii are poised to approve a US$25 climate tax on tourists who visit the Aloha State in an effort to combat what they claim is an assault on the area’s natural resources. The state, which saw 9.5
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
Palau ratifies UN Ocean Treaty
Palau on Monday became the first nation to officially ratify the UN Ocean Treaty. “As the first country to officially ratify the UN Ocean Treaty, Palau has jumped into the lead in the race to ratification,” said
New Caledonia passes first sugar tax bill
New Caledonia’s Congress has endorsed, for the first time, a new “flexible” tax on sugar products. The tax, in its initial stages, targets a first list of sugary food products. During the Congress
Mixed signs of agreement, warnings mark end of latest treaty talks
The third round of the plastics treaty negotiations concluded 19 November on a very mixed note, with countries agreeing to move forward but with environmental groups delivering sharp warnings that the talks risk failure
A significant contribution to international law on statehood: Former Tuvalu Foreign Minister
In a world grappling with the complex challenges of climate change, Tuvalu’s recent adoption of a new Constitution and the unanimous endorsement of a declaration by the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders stand out as a
12 Vanuatu government bills for debate
Amid mounting allegations of another potential motion of no confidence, Vanuatu’s Office of the Speaker of Parliament confirmed to the Vanuatu Daily Post that no motion of no confidence has been officially
Organisations call for swift ratification and implementation of BBNJ Treaty
The European Union (EU) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) are calling for a rapid ratification and implementation of the BBNJ Agreement to address the triple planetary crisis of
Pacific women face most discrimination in legal profession, survey finds
The Pacific Lawyers Association is concerned Pacific women are the most discriminated against group within the legal profession in New Zealand. The NZ Law Society has just released a new legal workplace survey which
Solomon Islands Opposition leader outlines weaknesses in Truth and Reconciliation Commission report
Solomon Islands leader of Opposition Matthew Wale has revealed weaknesses in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Act. Speaking in Parliament in Honiara this week, Wale said firstly there is a lack of a
