PINA

The 27 signatories of the motion of no confidence against Vanuatu caretaker Prime Minister, Bob Loughman, filed Monday in Court their urgent constitutional application on the dissolution of the Parliament by the Head of State, following the advice of the Council of Ministers (COM). Former Leader of the Opposition, Ralph Regenvanu, confirmed that in their submission they are challenging the...

The Nauru Court of Appeal opened Monday and heard its first case in several years, followed by several criminal and civil appeals listed to be heard over the next fortnight with a further session of two weeks allocated to consider refugee appeals. Acting President of the Court of Appeal Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayake opened the session, 22 August and is...

Several women in policing from across the region are convening at the 17th Annual Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police Women Advisory Network in Nadi. The two-day event is an opportunity to discuss challenges and barriers that female officers face in the workplace. Bereta Naisua, the Chair of the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police Women Advisory Network says the love for a...

Authorities in New Zealand have found mussels from Fiji on sale at independent retailers and on social media. New Zealand Food Safety has not assessed Fiji’s related growing, harvesting and processing controls so while mussels from Fiji may be brought into the country for personal use, they cannot be sold. There has been one unverified report of illness linked to mussels...

By Kuliniasi Ligaitamana Tukutukuwaqa It’s time for Pacific law enforcement agencies to work together, rather than trying to combat the region’s growing drug crisis in isolation Law enforcement agencies in the Pacific can no longer afford to work in isolation. Transnational organised criminal syndicates have long used the Pacific in the past as a transit point for their illicit activities, including...

The Fijian Drua has today announced the appointment of highly experienced sports leader Mark Evans as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Mark brings 30 years of experience and sports leadership, administration, coaching, and education to the role. He has previously served as Chief Executive of the Western Force (Super Rugby), Global Rapid Rugby, Melbourne Storm (NRL), Harlequins FC (English Premiership...

The Papua New Guinea Supreme Court has allowed Speaker Job Pomat to intervene in an application filed by Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill on the legality of the 11th Parliament’s maiden sitting on 09 August. Justice Derek Harthsorn, sitting as a single Supreme Court judge made the ruling in Waigani on Friday. O’Neill had sought the court’s interpretation on whether: *The election was...

Five electoral petitions and one application for a recount have been filed at the High Court in the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands News reports that the United Party has filed four petitions, the Democratic Party has filed the other. Lawyer Norman George, who is representing the United Party said the petitions were lodged in the interests of fairness and concern...

Ahead of New Zealand’s review with the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) highlight a clear pattern of discrimination pertaining to immigration from the Pacific – and recommend key policy and legislative changes. New Zealand’s immigration agency, Immigration NZ, told the UN it does not record whether its residency applications are declined on health...

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) today announced its five-year (2022-2027) Pacific Islands Strategic Framework that will guide the Agency’s work in 12 Pacific Island countries. The strategy supports the U.S government’s goal to promote a free and open, connected, prosperous, resilient, and secure Indo-Pacific. In partnership with government, civil society, and the private sector in 12 Pacific Island...