Opinion: Harris and the Pacific Islands: Delivering on a Pacific vision
In the whirlwind of speeches to cement Kamala Harris’ presidential credentials, the Pacific Islands have hardly rated a
Opinion
Opinion: Pacific initiatives need transparency and ground rules to reduce harmful competition
It’s time for the Pacific to talk about ground rules in the security sector, write Blake Johnson and Adam
Opinion: It’s not just police who police
Captured on camera chatting with American diplomat Kurt Campbell in Tonga last month, Anthony Albanese described Pacific leaders’ support for a new Australian-led policing initiative as a big win. “We had a
Opinion: World’s biggest deforestation project gets underway in Papua for sugarcane
Excavators have begun clearing land in the Indonesian region of Papua in what’s been described as the largest deforestation undertaking in the world. A total of 2 million hectares (5 million acres) of forests,
Opinion: Tribute to John Paska: A remarkable trade union leader
I am honoured to write about John Paska’s passing on 9 August 2024 after a short illness. He was 76 years old. Until recently, he was the President of the Papua New Guinea Trade Union Congress (PNGTUC), an elevation
Opinion: Cables under the sea: Pacific island countries need integrated electricity grids
Australia should supercharge the development of Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and contribute to their lasting economic security by investing in inter-island electricity grids and diversified energy sources. A green
Opinion: Samoa rolls out a red-carpet welcome fit for a king
‘Leave your suits at home.’ That’s the travel advisory message from Samoa’s prime minister ahead of her tiny Pacific nation hosting one of the world’s most prestigious meeting of world leaders next month, in
Opinion: Not merely ‘exploration’: PNG deep-sea mining riles critics & surprises officials
A deep-sea mining operation that recently took place off the coast of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has raised alarm bells for environmentalists and called into question the validity of the country’s moratorium on such
Opinion: Albanese government’s Pacific policing deal is a masterstroke of diplomacy
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese may be attempting to backpedal from a “hot mic” moment at the Pacific Islands Forum this week in which he joked the United States “go halvies” on a new regional
Opinion: Travel recovery in the Pacific: worrying signs
As the pandemic recedes and gradually fades from people’s memories, travel in the Pacific is rebounding. However, the Pacific’s travel recovery is highly variable. Comparing visitor arrivals in 2023 with those in
Opinion: As Western banks leave the Pacific, a new player emerges
Australian banks are gradually withdrawing from the Pacific Islands, leaving the region at risk of being totally disconnected from the global banking system. Bendigo Bank is exiting Nauru, while Westpac has floated