Fiji replaces Vanuatu as top PALM sending country

The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme has been transformed over the last five years.  In June 2019, there were 5,886 PALM visa holders in Australia. Five years later, in May 2024, there were 32,513, an

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Pacific children left behind and vulnerable due to regional labour mobility schemes

Pacific Islands children are being left behind by their parents, who are taking up opportunities presented by regional labour mobility schemes, increasing concerns about child abuse.  This was a key issue brought up at

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Niue Premier Dalton Tagelagi opens first honorary Consul office in Japan

The Pacific nation of Niue has opened its first honorary consul in Japan.  The announcement was made by Niue Premier, Dalton Tagelagi in Tokyo.  “I am currently in Japan to attend the PALM 10 meeting and to open

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PALM preview: fisheries research vessels and Fukushima

The government plans to provide one fisheries research vessel free of charge to each of the four Pacific Island nations of Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, it has been learned.  Prime

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‘No place for political violence in the U.S.’ 

Guam leaders today joined the nation in condemning the shooting at former president Donald Trump at his rally in Pennsylvania.  “There is no room for violence in politics–no matter where you stand on the

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Shadowy exotic pet trade thrives in Pacific island nation

The Pacific’s Solomon Islands has become a key player in the global live animal trade, with foreign collectors sourcing exotic species including some subject to trade bans, an AFP investigation has found. 

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Opinion: FestPAC: Protecting Oceania and charting future voyages 

It’s the first time the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture, which starts Thursday, will be held in Hawaii.  The Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture is the world’s largest celebration of indigenous Pacific

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Opinion: How integrating traditional leadership will impact Pacific Islands governance and diplomacy

Pacific Island nations have declared a campaign to move toward recognition of indigenous and traditional leaders in policy development. While it may appear an unconventional move in the Pacific’s contemporary context

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Pacific Islands Forum calls for global support at SIDS4 Conference

Head of delegation for the Pacific Islands Forum, Sione Tekiteki has addressed the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States(SIDS4) in Antigua and Barbuda, highlighting the resilience and

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Australian Foreign minister Wong to lead bipartisan trip to Tuvalu

Australian Foreign minister Penny Wong and opposition counterpart Simon Birmingham will travel to Tuvalu for talks on security and climate change.  The foreign minister will lead the second bipartisan Pacific visit of

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Solomon Airlines considers supporting Air Vanuatu

THE new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Solomon Airlines, Sean Te’o, said they are considering a collaboration with Air Vanuatu to train Air Vanuatu’s cabin crew members to work on Solomon Airlines A320 aircraft. 

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Opinion: Australia’s superannuation rules leave Pacific workers out of pocket

The government must reconsider its tax on the Pacific’s poorest. More than 40,000 Pacific Islanders working in Australia are being unfairly taxed on superannuation contributions – enforced savings payments that they

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