National Referendum in six months: Vanuatu PM
Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai announced in Parliament Tuesday that a national referendum is expected to happen within the next six months. This announcement followed the unanimous approval of the
Politics
Sir Collin Tukuitonga resigns from NZ government roles, citing ‘no confidence’
One of New Zealand’s most prominent Pacific health leaders says he has “no confidence” in the Government after stepping down from almost every advisory role. Long-standing champion for health Sir Collin Tukuitonga
Opinion: Basic but essential: Vanuatu’s proposed political integrity legislation
Vanuatu has had three different prime ministers since 4 September, and weathered several court challenges as politicians and parties battled for parliamentary supremacy. Vanuatu’s citizens have expressed their
House welcomes first Bougainville woman MP
The people of Bougainville have set a record when they for the first time in the 48 years’ political history of this country voted a women leader to the National Parliament, newly elected Member for North Bougainville
1,816 sign petition as effort to end Vanuatu political instability
Over 1,816 citizens representing different sectors and voices, going under the Movement Red, have signed a petition urging parliamentarians to urgently discuss and pass Bills addressing political integrity. 164 people
Apia hosts signing of new EU-ACP Samoa Agreement
More than two decades ago, the European Union and a group of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states were due to meet in Suva, to sign a new partnership agreement. But the ceremony, scheduled for June 2000, never
Whose rule is it?
One month short of its first anniversary, Fiji’s three-party governing coalition is in disarray. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has topped off a series of bungled appointments by recanting on a major Cabinet reshuffle
Democracy. Abort. Repeat
“Democracy Reimagined.” On paper, an ambitious title that captures the next step in the journey of a nation that’s fresh out of the shadow of a 16-year, one and then two-man rule, led on this new path by the very
Vanuatu elects Sato Kilman as prime minister, names new Cabinet
Vanuatu’s parliament elected Sato Kilman as the nation’s new prime minister Monday after a court upheld a vote of no-confidence in the nation’s former leader and amid China-U.S. rivalry in Pacific Islands.
Vanuatu’s opposition plan fourth no confidence motion to oust government
Vanuatu’s opposition bloc is reportedly planning to file a fourth motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau as the country’s political crisis continues. Reliable sources close to
Vanuatu speaker lodges court appeal amid political crisis
The speaker of Vanuatu’s parliament has appealed a court decision deeming a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau successful, prolonging a political crisis in the Pacific island nation.
Vanuatu Supreme Court rules in favour of opposition in Parliament majority case
The Supreme Court of Vanuatu ruled on Friday that Vanuatu’s opposition party won a no-confidence vote regarding incumbent Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau last week. While the speaker of Parliament initially ruled that
Vanuatu Opposition demands new Speaker
A motion of no confidence was lodged and registered Friday by the Vanuatu Opposition bloc, moved by Johnny Koanapo, Member of Parliament for Tanna Constituency, and Malekula MP Gracia Shadrack, to remove the Speaker of
Vanuatu PM Kalsakau survive no-confidence vote
Vanuatu narrowly avoided a political crisis as Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau survived a no-confidence vote in Parliament on Wednesday. Vote of no confidence against PM Kalsakau was defeated as opposition failed to
Aimeliik Legislature calls for investigation of Rengulbai for alleged misconduct in office
The 12th Aimeliik State Legislature passed a resolution requesting Aimeliik Governor Browny Simer to investigate allegations of misconduct in office made against Aimeliik State Public Land Authority (AIMSPLA) Chairman
Petition for Tongan electoral reform
A petition calling for reform of Tonga’s electoral system so that the Prime Minister may be chosen by a popular vote (and not by the Members of Parliament in the House) has engaged the House this week. On Monday
Vanuatu cabinet reshuffle
Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau has made a cabinet reshuffle. MP for Santo Rural Samson Samsen has been appointed new Minister for Trade. Matai Seremaiah is now Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime
Tuvalu foreign minister Kofe resigns from Cabinet
Tuvalu’s foreign Minister Simon Kofe has announced his resignation from the island nation’s Cabinet on Friday. “Friends, today in Parliament I made a significant announcement. I’ve decided to
PNG MP Lohia Boe Samuel acquitted of murder
Moresby North West MP Lohia Boe Samuel has been found not guilty, and acquitted by the Waigani National Court in Papua New Guinea Wednesday. Samuel and his co-accused Fabian Hera, were both charged with willful murder,
Samoa Supreme Court voids former PM Tuilaepa and Lealailepule suspension
The Samoa Supreme Court today ruled that the suspension of former Prime Minister the leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) Tuilaepa Sailele Malilegaoi and party secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi for two
What happened to me must never happen again: Forum SG Puna
In a frank admission on the circumstances which forced his exit from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the Secretary General of the Forum Henry Puna has told a closed function hosted in Samoa that what took place
“Papua New Guinea is my home”: Sidelined PNG Foreign Minister apologise
Sidelined PNG Foreign Minister and Port Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko has apologised to Papua New Guineans in Parliament Wednesday regarding his comments of primitive animals. This was in response to
PNG Ombudsman Commission receives complaints on MP Tkatchenko
The Papua New Guinea Ombudsman Commission says it has received an “avalanche of complaints” from people against Moresby South MP and sidelined Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko for the “primitive animals”
