Tonga’s voters go to the polls
VOTERS in the Pacific’s only kingdom are voting today (Thursday) to elect 17 representatives to the Legislative Assembly. Their nobles will also vote to elect nine
Parliament
Call for industry control
SOLOMONS Opposition Leader Matthew Wale wants greater control over the quality of building materials available in the construction
Fire destroys Marshalls parliament
Firefighters after a blaze gutted the Marshall Islands parliament. Source – Hilary Hosia,
Lawyers debate Fiji Constitution
FIJI’S constitution must reflect the will of the people; Australian barrister Bret Walker told the Supreme Court of Fiji in a landmark constitutional reference
Tonga parliamentarians exchange blows
TONGA’S Police Minister, Paula Piukala, has been suspended from parliament along with Lord Tu'ilakepa after they came to blows during a
Head of State accepts Samoa PM’s advice, cabinet is caretaker government
The Samoan cabinet has assumed the role of the caretaker government until a new government is elected and convenes its first parliamentary sitting, after the Head of State accepted the advice from Samoa Prime Minister
The ‘Big’ Winners and the ‘Sorry’ Losers
The recent political upheaval that unfolded following the dramatic walkout of 10 Members of Parliament—including political heavyweights Manasseh Sogavare and Manasseh Maelanga—threw Solomon Islands into yet another
Solomon Islands PM Manele suggests reforms to processes on moving motions of no confidence
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has proposed reforms to the process of moving motions of no confidence in
No-confidence motion absents from today’s Solomon Islands Parliament agenda
The motion of no confidence (MONC) against the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Jeremiah Manele, which had previously been scheduled for tabling and debate, does not appear on today’s parliamentary order
Solomon Islands PM Manele appeals for calm and reassures nation amid political instability
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has appealed to all citizens of Solomon Islands—particularly residents of Honiara—to remain calm, peaceful, and respectful of the democratic process amid the current
Sogavare joins Opposition as new majority forms ahead of no-confidence vote
Following the mass resignation led by Finance Minister Manasseh Sogavare and several senior ministers on Monday, a new political alignment appears to be taking shape in the Solomon Islands
Sogavare among Solomon Islands Government MPs in walkout; Parliament receives notice of no-confidence motion against PM Manele
The Solomon Islands government could collapse following a walkout by ministers and MPs from the
PNG PM Marape retains position, praises democratic process
James Marape has successfully retained his position, commending Members of Parliament from both the government and opposition sides for upholding democratic
Bougainville House of Representatives converts to Bougainville Constituent Assembly
It was an emotional end to the Bougainville Parliament Thursday as the Bougainville House of Representatives officially transitioned into the Bougainville Constituent Assembly. The House erupted in applause as the
PM Marape to table 2019 Bougainville referendum results
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has reaffirmed his commitment to tabling the 2019 post-referendum results in Parliament, allowing for a final decision on Bougainville’s political future. Speaking at the
18-month grace period on motion of no confidence passed in PNG Parliament
Papua New Guinea Parliament has passed a law requiring an 18-month grace period after a motion of no confidence fails in Parliament before a subsequent motion can be moved. This followed the passing of an amendment to
Nauru Parliament approves Constitutional change, expanding Cabinet by one Minister
Nauru’s Parliament has approved a significant constitutional amendment, allowing the president to appoint up to seven cabinet ministers, up from the previous limit of six. In a secret ballot held Tuesday, the
Samoa PM Fiame Mata’fa commands majority, vote of no-confidence fails
The vote of no confidence to unseat Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and her cabinet failed when the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday voted with 34 members opposing the motion and 15 for it. It
Jotham Napat elected Vanuatu’s new Prime Minister
Jotham Napat has been elected as Vanuatu’s new Prime Minister, securing the top post unopposed Tuesday. Former Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, leader of the Reunification Movement for Change, nominated Napat, the MP
An uneasy crown: King Tupou VI seeks greater role
For 15 years, the Kingdom of Tonga has gone through a political experiment that was supposed to make the governance system “more democratic”. This was the declared will of the former Monarch, King George Tupou V,
Tongan Parliament rejects Police Minister’s bid to take oath in English
The Tongan Legislative Assembly, during its swearing-in of the new Cabinet ministers last Friday, denied a request by new Police Minister Piveni Piukala to take his oath of office in English rather than the Tongan
2025 Vanuatu official election results: Solitary woman elected to 52-member parliament
Against all odds one woman has secured a seat in Vanuatu’s 52-member parliament. Marie Louis Paulette Milne, one of only seven women among 216 election candidates, secured 1227 votes to pip her closest rival Tony
How can Vanuatu’s new parliament rebuild public trust?
As communities across Vanuatu welcomed a new year and contemplated multiple aspiring political candidates ahead of the 16 January snap election, a popular reggae song was making the rounds. Ol pipol oli taet (People