PINA

Leader of the Opposition HRPP Party and Samoa’s longest serving Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Maliegaoi and HRPP Party Secretary, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi have been suspended indefinitely from Parliament. Parliament Tuesday upheld the findings and recommendations of the Privileges and Ethics Committee that found the two Members of contempt of Parliament and breaching parliamentary privileges. The committee investigated the complaint filed by...

Leaders of Japan, India, Australia and the United States met in Tokyo on Tuesday, looking to put China on notice as it expands its military and economic influence in the region. The summit of the grouping known as the Quad comes a day after US President Joe Biden said Washington would be ready to intervene militarily to defend Taiwan, prompting...

China’s foreign minister will visit Solomon Islands this week, one month after signing a security agreement with the Pacific country, on a broader tour where China is seeking more deals in the region. Wang Yi would visit Honiara with a “nearly 20-member delegation”, the Solomons’ government confirmed on Tuesday, calling the trip a “milestone”. “The highlight of the visit is the...

New Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday climate change was the main economic and security challenge for low-lying island counties in the Pacific, referring to a region in which China has been extending its influence. “The region is looking to us to work with them and to lead by example,” he said in Tokyo during a meeting of...

Two Tongan Cabinet Ministers, who were found to have committed bribery in the lead up to the November 2021 General Election, have been granted a stay of execution in their judgements, until their appeal is heard and determined. It is understood that there will be a special Appeal Session scheduled for July. Lord Chief Justice Whitten QC granted the first stay...

The University of the South Pacific’s Council has raised concerns about the financial and operating risks arising out of Fiji’s withheld grant, compounded by the COVID-19 economic impacts. In a statement, the USP says apart from continued attempts to talk with the Government of Fiji, the Council was looking at other measures to deliver its core business without compromising the...

By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Quad summit in Tokyo has praised Australia raising its ambition on climate change, after Anthony Albanese told fellow leaders his government would do more to assist Pacific countries address it. Albanese stressed Australia’s revised climate policy during the meeting, attended by US president Joe Biden, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India,...

Western Force have kept their Super Rugby Pacific finals hopes alive after snapping their losing streak with a key 48-28 win over Moana Pasifika. Playing their postponed round-10 match on Tuesday night in Auckland, the Force ran in seven tries to also collect a vital bonus point. That came in the 78th minute when Kyle Godwin ran on to a break...

Fijian Drua will be based in Fiji next season. However, where exactly is not confirmed at the moment. The Drua were based at the New South Wales Sport and Recreation center in Lennox Head, Australia this year. Head Coach Mick Byrne said the Fiji based players are back home for good. He said everything will be confirmed in a few weeks. Players will have...

Australia’s new foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, will seek to improve relations with Pacific island countries, flagging an early visit to the region and promising to be “a generous, respectful and reliable” partner. China’s new security deal with Solomon Islands was a point of political dispute during the Australian election campaign and there are now reports that Beijing could be...