PINA

The Fiji Law Society says the proposed Electoral Act Amendment Bill before Parliament unnecessarily attacks citizen’s rights to privacy, including legal professional privilege. Society President, Wylie Clarke says the amendment gives power to the Supervisor of Elections to compel any person to provide all or any information or documents on virtually any pretext. He said citizens must hand over information “notwithstanding...

Transparency International PNG has described the accumulated failures in the preparation, conduct, delivery and conclusion of the National General Election as being a severely flawed process. TIPNG in its preliminary findings drawn from its observations of the 2022 National General Election said that the 2022 National General Election was flawed and an immediate action was needed to prepare for the...

The rise in the use of a newly invented weapon called the wire-catapult or “silencer” is a big concern for East Sepik Province in Papua New Guinea, says East Sepik Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Albert Beli. The wire-catapult, which the locals call the ‘silencer’, was invented by the people from the Sepik River for fishing purposes but is now...

Pro-independence leader Roch Wamytan has been re-elected President of the Congress of New Caledonia. It is Wamytan's fourth successive term in this position. He received 29 votes in favour of his re-election and told La Premiere it was thanks to Pacific Awakening's support. “First of all, I would like to thank the party Pacific Awakening who have supported us for the fourth...

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has clarified misinformation in the international media about the visit by the U.S Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Henry and HMS Spey. Speaking at a ceremony to welcome the visiting United States Hospital Ship USNS Mercy in Honiara, Sogavare said there had been a delay in the granting of approval for entry into the country...

Samoa Supreme Court has ruled that there is no barrier or obstacle to stop the Opposition leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi from resuming their duties as Members of Parliament. Monday’s Supreme Court ruling set aside Parliament’s decision to suspend the MPs indefinitely. The Court noted that Parliament has approved the Committee’s report with respect to liability and penalty. “We...

The government will provide Australia Post with $450,000(US$308,501) to help upgrade postal systems, technology and training in the Pacific. Australia Post has announced a partnership to improve the efficiency and security of postal services in the Pacific. As part of the deal Australia Post will provide $450,000 to upgrade postal systems, technology and training in the region, and provide ‘expertise and...

By John Braddock New Zealand’s Labour government announced last week that it will ease restrictions on temporary migrant workers to address severe labour shortages in critical areas. Despite the removal of most COVID restrictions and the reopening of international travel, the Reserve Bank has described labour shortages as the worst in 50 years. With official unemployment running at 3.3 percent,...

Papua New Guinea Hunters will have a new head coach next season following Matthew Church’s departure to Hostplus Cup rivals Brisbane Tigers on a two-year deal from 2023. Hunters chairman Stan Joyce said Church was instrumental in the club’s continued participation in the Queensland-based Hostplus Cup competition. “The Hunters have faced unprecedented challenges over the last few seasons,” he said. “But under...

Cricket PNG and PNG Barramundis Head Coach Carl Sandri have mutually agreed to part ways. Sandri has been on leave from CPNG since returning from the recent ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, where the PNG Barramundis finished third. He was not with the team during the recent Australian tour where they played in the NT Strike Top End T20...