Seruiratu is new Fiji Opposition leader
Fiji’s new Opposition leader, Inia Seruiratu, has vowed that he will do his best to serve the people of Fiji. “I’m indeed honoured and privileged for this opportunity,” he said. “I’m here to serve all
Parliament
Vanuatu MP allocation increased to VT5 million
Members of Parliament in Vanuatu will now receive a higher amount of funding to cater for their constituents. The MPs will now be entitled to an amount of VT5 million(US$41,544) as their MP Allocation fund. This is
Bainimarama suspended from Fiji parliament for 3 years
Fiji’s Opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, has been suspended from parliament for three years, effective immediately. After a long day of parliamentary debate, 27 MPs voted in favor of the
PNG PM to launch “constitutional review”
The constitutional law review of the forms and system of Papua New Guinea government for the election of the prime minister by the people will be launched by Prime Minister James Marape. The government has directed the
Tonga MPs debate on domestic airline licensing
A heated discussion between members of Tongan parliament over a request of endorsement from REALTonga Airlines went nowhere on Monday this week. The discussion began when Tongatapu 5 People’s Representative, Hon. Dr
Ardern farewells supporters on final day as Aotearoa’s PM
Jacinda Ardern has bid an emotional farewell on her last day as prime minister, speaking of the kindness and empathy New Zealanders have shown her, but saying she is ready to be a sister and a mother. Days after
Cooks’ PM vows to change law as parliament delayed by petitions
The new Cook Islands Parliament has still not held a sitting, despite its general election taking place more than five months ago. It will not sit until March at the earliest. The country is waiting for the outcome of
Jacinda Ardern announces resignation as prime minister
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today has announced her resignation stating she will not be seeking re-election this year and her last day as prime minister is February 7. Ardern said she reflected over the
New Guam bill seeks to rein in the governor’s emergency powers
In yet another attempt to clip the governor of Guam’s emergency powers, Senator Chris Duenas Tuesday introduced a bill that would authorise the legislature to terminate a public health emergency declaration. Bill 7-37
The power of one vote: Fiji PM Rabuka
Fiji’s new Prime Minister visited parliament in his new capacity this week. “The Honourable Speaker and I were both voted into office by the power of one vote,” he reminded parliamentary staff. “When you
Samoa Court to rule if three resigned MPs need to go back to by-elections
The three former Samoa Opposition MPs, who resigned from Human Rights Political Party (HRPP) last month, will go to court arguing the unconstitutionality of the 2019 Electoral Amendment Act that now stops them from
Seven Vanuatu Opposition MPs defect to Govt side
Vanuatu leader of Opposition, Bob Loughman, has confirmed that the President of the Rural Development Party (RDP), Jay Ngwele, and six Party members are no longer members of the Opposition bloc. This follows on their
PNG Govt pass US$6.8 billion budget
Another year, another record deficit budget for Papua New Guinea. On Tuesday, Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey presented his long awaited 2023 money plan to Parliament – with a price tag of K24 billion (US$6.8 billion).
PNG Parliament to consider use of three main languages
The National Parliament will consider allowing the translation of parliamentary proceedings, Assistant Speaker Agena Gamai said. Gamai said in response to questions without notice from Morobe Governor Luther Wenge to
Stop urban drift, says PNG Govt
Papua New Guinea deputy Prime Minister John Rosso says the Government is looking at re-introducing the Vagrancy Act to curb the rise in crime and lawlessness in urban centres around the country. Rosso was responding in
Samoa Court quashes appointment of Leota
Samoa’s Court of Appeal has found the appointment of Toomata Norah Leota as the 7th woman MP to be illegal and her subsequent swearing in as a member of the Legislative Assembly as invalid. “We declare that no
Vanuatu deputy PM confident of forming new Govt
The camp led by Vanuatu’s caretaker deputy prime minister Ishmael Kalsakau has reiterated that it remains a solid grouping of 30 MPs and that it will name its prime minister and cabinet line-up on Friday. A second
Samoa opposition MPs suspended for two years
Samoa Opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, and party secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi are officially suspended from Parliament for a record two years. The House voted 29 – 19
Vanuatu snap election: International observers arrive
There are a total of 49 regional and international observers currently in Vanuatu to monitor the running of the October 13 snap election. The election was triggered after the dissolution of the country’s
Vanuatu Snap Election countdown
All ballot boxes are expected to be dispatched to all 18 respective constituencies in Vanuatu by today. The first dispatch of the ballot boxes occurred over the weekend for the Noumea Polling Station in New Caledonia.
Nauru cabinet sworn into office
Nauru’s newly-elected cabinet ministers have been sworn into office for the next three years. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony today, Russ Joseph Kun, Nauru’s new president who gained his seat unopposed,
217 applicants for Vanuatu snap election
At least 217 individuals have applied to contest the upcoming Vanuatu snap election. Deputy Principal Electoral Officer (PEO), Gary Tavoa, confirmed this was the total number of applications they received out from over
Samoa Opposition MPs reinstated to Parliament
The suspended Samoa opposition leader and his party secretary have been reinstated to Parliament. Samoa’s Opposition Human Rights Protection Party leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, and party secretary,