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
Coalition government likely in Vanuatu
Unofficial results in the Vanuatu election show another rainbow coalition is likely, with voters again sending a potpourri of parties to parliament. AAP reports that Vanuatu went to the polls on Thursday in a snap
Lilo moves to dethrone Solomon Islands PM Manele with no-confidence vote
After weeks of speculation, it’s now confirmed that Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele will face a no-confidence vote in the current sitting of parliament. Notice of the motion, which will be moved by
Speaker grants Tonga PM request to postpone reply to no confidence motion
The Legislative Assembly of Tonga has postponed the session to table the motion for a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni from 3 December to 9 December, 2024. TALANOAOTONGA reports that the
Justice Filimoni Jitoko appointed new Speaker of Fiji’s Parliament
Fiji’s Parliament has a new Speaker, Retired Judge Justice Filimoni Jitoko, following a 34-15 vote that secured him the
Fiji PM Rabuka nominates Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu for President
Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced Speaker of Parliament Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu as his nominee for the next President of
PNG Opposition files vote of no confidence case in court
Papua New Guinea Opposition has filed its Supreme Court reference Tuesday. They are basically seeking an interpretation of Speaker Job Pomat’s decision on the motion of a vote of no confidence (VoNC). Among
Solomon Islands Caretaker PM Manasseh Sogavare bows out, won’t keep his job following elections
Solomon Islands Caretaker Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has passed on the leadership of the Parliamentary Wing of OUR Party to Prime Ministerial candidate, Jeremiah Manele. Speaking at a press briefing Monday
Samoa legislators pass electoral amendments despite concerns
Samoa’s electoral laws have been amended giving citizens the right to register to vote from overseas, despite the opposition raising concerns about the country being governed by “outsiders”. The
PNG vote of no confidence not entertained
The Papua New Guinea Parliamentary Private Business Committee (PBC) has denied the notice of the motion of the Vote-of-No-Confidence. In advising Parliament, Acting Speaker Koni Iguan said, “The PBC deliberated on the
Cook Islands Parliament makes changes to seabed mining law
The Cook Islands has made amendments to its Seabed Minerals Act this week, including replacing the term “mining” with “minerals harvesting … to reflect the actual activity that takes
Huge pay rise for Solomons politicians
Members of Parliament in Solomon Islands are due to receive a huge pay rise this year despite the nation’s precarious state of the economy and poor government service delivery. The pay increase was published in a
Possible to have a Motion of No Confidence this year: Vanuatu Opposition Leader
The newly appointed Opposition Leader in Vanuatu and Member of Parliament for Port Vila, Ishmael Kalsakau has indicated the potential for a Motion of No Confidence against the Prime Minister if specific concerns
Tuvalu’s pro-Taiwan Prime Minister Natano loses seat in partial election results
The pro-Taiwan leader of the Pacific islands nation of Tuvalu, Kausea Natano, has lost his seat according to partial election results. The vote is being closely watched by Taiwan, China and the United States, amid
