2020: The year for a PNG anti-corruption commission
The Chairman of Transparency International PNG, Peter Aitsi, expects the Marape government to establish an oft-promised anti-corruption commission to be set up by the end of 2020, paving the way for an improvement in
Kiribati plods on against ‘Tsunami’ of Opposition
Kiribati faces uncertain times ahead as the Government rules with a minority support in parliament for the first time in the history of the country, the coalition Opposition goes to court twice against the Speaker of
Massacre, memory and music
Yudha Korwa was just 17 years old when he was attacked by Indonesian soldiers during the Biak massacre on 6 July 1998. “A soldier used a big gun and hit me hard on the head. I saw them kick my friend,”
Taiwan trials mega changes as China watches
As the world’s first transgender government minister, Audrey Tang is probably resigned to the different kind of reactions she receives when she meets strangers. Like last month when a group of international
Tuvalu’s 100-day splurge
An across-the-board pay rise for all government employees including cabinet ministers and parliamentarians, an incentive payment for senior citizens plus an A$10,000 pay out to island communities top the first 100-day
Nauru judge orders retrial
It is back to square one—and the attendant frustrations, fear of political persecutions and absence of legal representation at trial for the so called Nauru- 19 following a judgement on the island this month. The
PNG political tussle continues
Anti-corruption campaigner and now minister of police in Papua New Guinea, Bryan Kramer, has taken to social media to expose the challenges in getting former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to answer to corruption
Kiribati government loses majority
Will Kiribati have a new government by December? That is the million-dollar question with the split in the ruling government of President Taneti Mamau that has seen the defection of 14 party members and with it, the
ANOTHER REFERENDUM FOR NEW CALEDONIA
New Caledonia will hold a second referendum on self-determination in early September 2020. On 10 October, the annual Committee of Signatories to the Noumea Accord brought together representatives of the
Death of Pacific Regionalism?
THE theme going into Tuvalu’s Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ meeting from 12-16 August 2019 was: ‘Securing our Future in the Pacific.’ This was to be uniquely focussed and framed around climate change. Even the
Trouble in the family
Climate divides Forum….again JUST before the 50th Pacific Islands Forum, the Wallabies thrashed the All Blacks 47-26 in the first game of the Bledisloe Cup. As a rugby fan, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison
Hope on Nauru
Human rights lawyer takes the helm Hope it seems was what the voters of Nauru took with them to the polls on 24 August and hope was what they got in return. Out went age and experience, as Nauru’s 7,000 voters
Roadblocks on the path to a post-Cotonou deal
THERE are many suitors currently wooing the Pacific islands. Australia is “stepping up” and New Zealand “resetting” its relationship. China comes bearing gifts, India wants to be an
Sopoaga is saved by the bell
A mere technicality in parliamentary rules saved the government of Tuvalu Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga, from facing a confidence motion last month. News of the motion of no confidence against the Sopoaga Government
More notches in the belt
China’s BRI gains momentum PACIFIC leaders are embracing China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with renewed enthusiasm following China’s hosting of the second BRI Forum in April. 5000 participants from over
Picking up the anti-nuclear torch
AFTER more than 310 nuclear detonations across the region, the era of nuclear testing in the Pacific ended in 1996. Since then, the nuclear issue has dropped off the agenda for many people, with attention
Electing the Prime Minister
ON April 24 Manasseh Sogavare was elected as Prime Minister of Solomon Islands. However the elections sparked not only a legal challenge, but also rioting in the streets of Honiara. In this
Electing the Prime Minister
ON April 24 Manasseh Sogavare was elected as Prime Minister of Solomon Islands. However the elections sparked not only a legal challenge, but also rioting in the streets of Honiara. In this
Picking up the anti-nuclear torch
AFTER more than 310 nuclear detonations across the region, the era of nuclear testing in the Pacific ended in 1996. Since then, the nuclear issue has dropped off the agenda for many people, with attention
Partner of choice?
AUSTRALIA and Vanuatu are slowly moving towards a bilateral security treaty after a series of meetings between the Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers of both countries. Welcoming his counterpart Scott
Canberra ramps up Pacific policy as election looms
BOTH government and opposition parties in Australia have outlined a renewed commitment to the Pacific, as voters prepare to go to the polls. In recent months, the Coalition government led by Prime Minister Scott
A Forum in Limbo?
Eleven days after the Nauru PIF Leaders’ Meeting last September, the Premier of Niue, Sir Toke Talagi, said on Radio New Zealand that “the Pacific Islands Forum is stuck in limbo and making little progress.”
New Caledonians vote no to independence, but the FLNKS are still smiling
In a crucial referendum on self-determination, more than 141,000 New Caledonians went to the polls on 4 November to determine the political status of the French Pacific dependency. After twenty years transition under
