PINA

By Robert Underwood The state of Pacific island solidarity in the midst of a serious crisis pertaining to climate change and the strategic competition between the United States and China seems to be weak. At a time when solidarity may be most needed, it seems to be most lacking. There are natural distinctions and geographic divisions between the north...

By Nic Maclellan Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles have just met their French counterparts Catherine Colonna and Sébastien Lecornu in Paris, at a “2+2” ministerial meeting to rebuild the France-Australia strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific region. But what does this engagement mean for the Albanese government’s “First Nations foreign policy”, and the rights of colonised...

By Cleo Paskal The United States just reopened its embassy in Solomon Islands, the country that last year signed a security deal with China. Problem solved, right? If only. Two other things just happened that give a sense of how unstable the situation is, and how far advanced Chinese political warfare operations are in the region. AN IMMEDIATE THREAT The first involves pro-PRC...

Fiji Rugby Union Acting chief executive Tevita Tuiloa says the position of Fijiana Drua head coach will be finalised by the end of this month. The successful candidate will also coach the Fijiana XVs. Tuiloa said they have received numerous applications for the role, but executives are going through the selection process carefully in view of strategic targets. “We have a point...

Work is underway to create accommodation for athletes competing at this year's Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands thanks to financial support from the Australian Government. The Solomon Islands 2023 Steering Committee has met for the second time to discuss preparations for the Games since Australia signed a formal agreement to provide funding last December. The main portion of Australia’s AUD$17...

PNG Hunters Coach Stanley Tepend has confirmed that the PNG Hunters will be hosting a first trial match of the season against the Central Queensland Capras later this month (Saturday, 25 February) at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. The South Pacific Brewery-sponsored side will welcome the Rockhampton based Capras, which the visiting side is also set to featuring...

One of the Pacific’s oldest political institutions, the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) abolished in 2012 by former Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama will be re-established and the first meeting will be in May. The GCC or Bose Levu Vakaturaga(BLV), has existed since 1876 but Bainimarama said it has perpetuated elitism and created divisive politics as it is part of...

Members of Fiji Parliament can pray in their own faith and speak in their own language if they choose to. Speaker of Parliament Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu said the decision to waive Standing Orders 28, 29, and 30 was voted upon during the Business Committee meeting last Friday. Ratu Naiqama said this change will allow the Speaker to pray the way he...

The Fijian Elections Office (FEO)has referred Mohammed Saneem to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) for probable abuse of office and for corrupting benefits given to, or received by, a public official. It is alleged that Saneem has been on numerous occasions during his tenure with FEO unlawfully authorised payments of sitting allowances to the Electoral Commission (EC). The Constitutional...

New Zealand has welcomed the decision by Kiribati to return to the Pacific Islands Forum. In July 2022, President Taneti Maamau announced his government was withdrawing its support of the forum because they were not happy with the leadership at the region’s peak diplomatic body. But this week, the Kiribati government said the decision to return to the forum whānau came...