Regional
Arms shipment secrecy questioned
Thursday 11 February 2016 | Published in Regional
SUVA – The Fiji government’s been lambasted in parliament for secrecy surrounding the arrival of military equipment from Russia.
Floods and fights stop air services
Wednesday 10 February 2016 | Published in Regional
TARI – Flights have resumed to two Papua New Guinea provincial capitals, Tari and Popondetta, following suspension of flights last week. Tari, the capital of hela province in the Highlands, had its flights suspended last week due to tribal fighting.
Russian experts in Fiji for weapons handover
Wednesday 10 February 2016 | Published in Regional
SUVA – Twenty Russian soldiers have arrived in Fiji to help with the transfer of a large consignment of Russian weapons for the Fiji military.
Volunteer DJ sacked by administration
Wednesday 10 February 2016 | Published in Regional
KINGSTON – A volunteer announcer for Norfolk Island’s public radio station says he was sacked for telling the people the Australian administration has plans to stop funding the station.
MPS blocked from parliament
Wednesday 10 February 2016 | Published in Regional
suva – Members of a Fijian Opposition party have been blocked from taking their seats on the first day of parliament for allegedly using the wrong type of accountant. The National Federation Party had its registration suspended because the accountant it used to audit its annual accounts wasn’t certified by the Fiji Institute of Accountants. The Speaker of Fiji’s Parliament, Dr Jiko Luveni, said the suspension meant the party’s three MPs were not allowed to take their seats, and the parliament voted to support that suspension. Dr Luveni took the decision to block the MPs from the house on advice from the solicitor general after election authorities suspended the party over its audit. National Federation Party lawyer Richard Naidu said he was surprised the parliament voted on the decision. “I didn’t see that coming, and I’m not quite sure what the point of that is,” he said. “But that would tend to support the whole notion that it’s the Fiji First Party majority that decides everything in Fiji, rather than the law.” Fiji First, led by former coup-leader turned Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, won 32 seats of the 50 seat parliament in 2014 elections. Bill Gavoka, an MP with the Opposition Sodelpa party, said members of his party attended the first session with black armbands, protesting “the death of democracy” under Fiji First. “It’s the tyranny of the majority, they have the numbers and they just ride roughshod over everything else in this country,” he said. “It’s treating a grand old party in a very callous way and it’s not the way Fiji needs to run its business. “After eight or nine years of dictatorship, it’s a time for healing. But not with this government, they go for the jugular,” Gavoka said. Australian Greens Senator Janet Rice said she would raise the suspension with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. Senator Rice said Fiji appeared to be moving from a military dictatorship to a parliamentary dictatorship. “I think it needs to concern Australia,” she said. “Fiji and Australia are very close and they are a big recipient of our foreign aid, so Australia needs to be concerned about what is going on. And in fact the rest of the Pacific needs to be concerned as well.” Sodelpa has called on the speaker to get an independent legal opinion. Opposition leader Ro Teimumu Kepa said the parliament had again been hijacked. “And you’ll see I’m wearing a black ribbon today, because democracy if it’s not already dead, it is dying.” - ABC/RNZI
Controversial drug given to detainees
Wednesday 10 February 2016 | Published in Regional
LORENGAU – The Australian Immigration Department is moving to offer asylum seekers on Manus Island alternatives to a controversial anti-malarial drug known to cause or exacerbate mental health issues in some patients.
Fishing agency preparing to renegotiate with US
Tuesday 9 February 2016 | Published in Regional
NADI – Forum Fisheries Agency member states are meeting in Fiji this week to discuss solutions to America’s shock withdrawal from the Pacific Islands Fisheries Treaty.
Aqorau sees 'opportunities' in treaty collapse
Tuesday 9 February 2016 | Published in Regional
NADI – As Pacific fisheries officials gather in Nadi, Fiji from Monday for a three-day meeting focused on the future of the tuna treaty with the United States, the head of a powerful island fisheries bloc says the US treaty is a “distraction” taking valuable time away from managing the fishing industry.
Some asylum seekers have terminal illnesses
Tuesday 9 February 2016 | Published in Regional
SYDNEY – Some of the 267 asylum seekers Australia wants to deport to an offshore immigration center following a court ruling are suffering from cancer and other terminal illnesses, a senior Australia government official has revealed.
ABC apologises for story inaccuracies
Tuesday 9 February 2016 | Published in Regional
SYDNEY – The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has issued a correction over claims an asylum seeker child was sexually assaulted, as a paediatrician who raised the alarm says she provided “factually accurate” information.
Government known on Thursday
Tuesday 9 February 2016 | Published in Regional
PORT VILA – Lobbying in Vanuatu continues to intensify ahead of this Thursday’s parliament sitting which will see the establishment of a new government with the election of a prime minister and speaker.
New Samoa airline flying by April
Tuesday 9 February 2016 | Published in Regional
apia – A new airline based in Samoa’s capital, Talofa Airways, is expected to begin operating by April.
Samoa takes proactive Zika action
Tuesday 9 February 2016 | Published in Regional
APIA – Various government ministries and NGOs are combining their resources to clear mosquito breeding sites around the country in a persistent effort to stamp out any possible zika virus carrying mosquitoes.
Not 'broke and dysfunctional'
Tuesday 9 February 2016 | Published in Regional
NUKU‘ALOFA – The Tonga Amateur Sports Association and National Olympic Committee says claims the organisation is broke and dysfunctional are “all a misunderstanding”.
US Pacific aid cuts suggested
Tuesday 9 February 2016 | Published in Regional
WASHINGTON – A US congressman in California has called for a ban on some American aid to those Pacific countries that are parties to the South Pacific Tuna Treaty.
Sports body bankruptcy denied
Monday 8 February 2016 | Published in Regional
NUKU‘ALOFA – The Tonga Amateur Sports Association and National Olympic Committee is bankrupt, according to the country’s Prime Minister, ‘Akilisi Pohiva – a claim rejected by the sports administration body.
Traditional obligations stop climate relocation
Monday 8 February 2016 | Published in Regional
SUVA – Their traditional obligations to the Tui Cakau will not allow the people of Vunisavisavi Village in Cakaudrove, Fiji, to relocate despite the impact of climate change.
President calls for change in mindset
Monday 8 February 2016 | Published in Regional
MAJURO – One of Hilda Heine’s first acts as the Marshall Islands’ new president has been to sign off on a state of emergency to deal with the severe drought that has been plaguing the country.
Not concerned by death threats
Monday 8 February 2016 | Published in Regional
NUKU‘ALOFA – There will be no review of security for the Tongan Prime Minister and no investigation into revelations that ‘Akilisi Pohiva has received death threats.
Aid pledge to fight Zika threat
Monday 8 February 2016 | Published in Regional
CANBERRA – Australia has pledged up to $500,000 in aid to Tonga to help combat the spread of the Zika virus after an outbreak was declared last week raised concerns in the region.
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