PACIFIC BRIEFS: Opposition wants government removed

PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Papua New Guinea’s deputy opposition leader says Prime Minister Peter O’Neill needs to be removed because corruption in government is being allowed to prevail.

Sam Basil’s comment comes as PNG’s parliament is due to resume this week and the grace period for motions of no-confidence against a prime minister has lapsed. Basil says with more than ten MPs referred to the Public Prosecutor for alleged misconduct in office, plus three in prison for abuse of public funds, the current government must be held accountable for the state of governance. He says the Prime Minister, who was recently referred to a leadership tribunal for alleged misconduct, has set the tone. “It all leads to corruption. I think everybody knows that this government has to be changed. That is why we understand that a change is imminent and it will happen.”

CHURCH 'DISTURBED' BY STATISTICS

FIJI – Fiji’s Methodist Church says the country’s latest statistics into child abuse cases are deeply disturbing and action needs to be taken. The Ministry of Social Welfare says 50 cases have been reported for the month of January. A spokesperson for the church, Reverend James Bhagwan, says the church is committed to addressing abuse and violence in Fiji. “As far as the church is concerned, 50 cases is 50 cases too many. It’s very disturbing. We are also concerned because we know very well that for every case that is reported there are other cases that continue to go unreported.” Reverend Bhagwan says the church is committed to emphasising the need for pre-marriage counselling and developing and teaching guidelines on parenting.

LEADERS FORUM MUCH ANTICIPATED

THE PACIFIC – The Lowy Institute for International Policy says there is a sense of anticipation and uncertainty surrounding next month’s Pacific Leaders Meeting in Australia. The special meeting, which is separate to the Pacific Forum Leaders meeting, is being hosted by Australia as a direct result of calls by Fiji for a review of the regional architecture before it reengages with the forum. The Director of Lowy’s Melanesia program, Jenny Hayward Jones, says while Fiji is the instigator of the meeting it is still a valid discussion that needs to happen. “I think Fiji in particular needs to air with the other leaders what it wants from the Forum what it wants from regional architecture. I don’t think Fiji can claim to have the whole region behind it on its desire to kick Australia and New Zealand out. But it will be interesting to see how much compromise goes on.”

CHINA BOOSTS POLICING IN PNG'S CAPITAL

PAPUA NEW GUINEA – China has given 20 motor bikes and 10,000 police uniforms to the Papua New Guinea police force to help it improve policing services throughout the city. The deputy Police Commissioner for Administration, Awan Sete, says the force is very grateful and the Chinese Government has offered valuable assistance to boost the morale of the force. Sete says there is a need to provide adequate transport policing services to crack down on crime in the city, especially in the lead up to the Pacific Games, which is scheduled to take place in July. He says the donation is very timely as it will not only be used by police officers in training but also be used to improve escort duties and security to international guests attending the Games.

NEW ZEALAND WIN SEVENS TOURNAMENT

NEW ZEALAND – Defending champions New Zealand have won their first title of the season, defeating England 27-21 in the fourth round of the 2014-15 HSBC Sevens World Series played at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington New Zealand beat England 27-21 in an enthralling final at the Sevens Wellington, round four of the 2014-15 HSBC World Series in Wellington. Debutant and 17-year-old Rieko Ioane shone in the win, Gordon Tietjen’s side’s first of the season. The result means the All Blacks Sevens move up to second in the overall World Series standings behind South Africa, who finished third thanks to a 40-7 win over Scotland, with England moving to within two points of Australia who occupy fourth.