Page 8 - Islands Business February 2023

Whispers Whispers

China Centre curiousity event. He was commander of the PNG have destroyed one of Suva’s last re-
Questions are being asked about Defence Force in the late 1990s, when maining mangrove areas, and has seen
the mandate and work of the newly- the then-government secretly engaged residents and environmentalists rally in
launched China-Pacific Island Countries the Sandline mercenary group to opposition to the plan. Nearby residents
Center for Disaster Risk Reduction and eliminate the Bougainville Revolutionary are already complaining that earlier
Cooperation. Hosted in Jiangmen City, Army leadership. In 2019, Bougainvil- removal of mangroves for a luxury
Guangdong Province, the opening was leans voted overwhelmingly for inde- gated community has seen flooding of
attended by China’s new Special Envoy pendence, but the terms and shape of their homes. Two public consultations
for Pacific Island Countries Affairs, Qian Bougainville’s political and governance on the project have been cancelled.
Bo, who is also the country’s former are still being negotiated. A vocal opponent, Reverend James
ambassador to Fiji. Solomon Islands Bhagwan said while the project claimed
Minister of Rural Development, Duddley LGBTQI rights question to be an integrated tourism develop-
Kopu was also there, as were diplomatic Moves to remove homosexuality ment, “We have to be careful of words
representatives from other Pacific Island from the Cook Islands Crimes Act are like integration because it does not
countries. In his speech, Qian Bo said still awaiting sign off from Crown Law mean integrated with the environment,
the centre would help PICs in a more reports Cook Islands media. Efforts to it means integrated activities and busi-
targeted way and forge a new model repeal the anti-homosexuality law in nesses.” A petition is now circulating in
of South-South cooperation in disaster the new Crimes Bill has been delayed opposition to the project, although the
preparedness and relief. It’s precise multiple times. Prime Minister Mark new Fiji government appears to be less
work program and mandate is unclear, Brown supports the move but says it supportive of it than its predecessors.
although early warning services have would happen alongside a more compre-
been mentioned. Experts in the space hensive review of the Crimes Bill. Mean- Nauru gap
are watching with interest. while, the UK’s special envoy on LGBTQI There’s fresh controversy in Australia
rights says Australia could use its voice when it was discovered that offshore
Media policy alarm in the Pacific to help change attitudes processing laws had expired. Legislation
Concerns in Papua New Guinea, where and end discrimination against LGBTQI designating Nauru as a regional process-
the government seems to have taken people in the region. Besides Cook ing centre lapsed on December 15 last
the unfortunate example of Fiji in float- Islands, homosexuality remains illegal in year and the Australian government did
ing the development of a so-called ‘Me- Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, not inform the United Nations Commis-
dia Development Policy’. Minister for Tuvalu and Papua New Guinea. sioner for Refugees of its intention to
Information and Communication Tech- relist Nauru until six weeks later. When
nology, Timothy Masiu, said the ultimate Vailima toasts the future the matter was finally brought to par-
purpose of the policy is to “facilitate The agreement to return iconic liament, Shadow Home Affairs Minister
the use of media as a tool for develop- Samoan beer brand, Vailima, to local Karen said it had been “jolly lucky” no
ment, such as the promotion of democ- hands has been finalised. And it has boats had arrived while the legislation
racy, good governance, human rights, the seal of approval of Prime Minister had lapsed.
and social and economic development.” Fiame Naomi Mata’afa. Locals Charlie
Critics say the consultation period was Va’ai and Beatrice Ott have taken over Scarce jobs see Stanley crush
too short and existing laws already ad- the brand, while Samoa Breweries Ltd Images of hundreds of people
dress abuse of social media platforms. (SBL) will continue to sell and distrib- converging on a site where walk-in in-
The policy suggests establishing a new ute Vailima. Paradise Beverages, which terviews were being conducted for posi-
media council that would license jour- owns SBL, says it’s thrilled that the tions with Port Moresby’s Stanley Hotel
nalists. Ironically, Fiji’s new government ownership of the brand will remain with has prompted calls for more to be done
is now in the process of reviewing that “people who are incredibly passionate to find work for PNG’s young people.
country’s media legislation, which has about the brand’s heritage”. Until Va’ai Deputy Opposition leader, Douglas
had a devastating effect on the industry and Ott are ready to produce the beer Tomuriesa, said it showed the despera-
due to the harsh penalties it outlines. in Samoa, Vailima will be brewed in Fiji. tion of people to find work. Tomuriesa
The new owners say they’re delighted urged Prime Minister James Marape and
Singirok Hollywood bound? Vailima is coming home, while security MPs to “open their eyes and see the
Former PNG army commander, financial investment for the commis- real struggle our people are facing on a
Major-General (retired) Jerry Singirok, sioning of a new brew house, packaging daily basis” while Trade Union Congress
has Hollywood ambitions. He has been line and utilities will be a challenge. president John Paska declared, “We are
pitching his book about the Sandline Af- in a society that is a time bomb” and
fair, A Matter of Conscience – Operation The battle for Suva’s mangroves that while government has employment
Rausim Kwik, for adaption by U.S. film- Questions remain unanswered as to strategies in place, the government
makers. The book also went to the Mi- how a lease for the development of a needs short-term measures. PM James
ami Book Fair last year, where it raised tourism project on the Suva foreshore Marape says, “There aren’t enough jobs
interest. Singirok has been fundraising came about. The development could in towns.”
in PNG to be able to travel to the pitch

8 Islands Business, February 2023