Pardons controversy continues
In Vanuatu, a controversy over recent pardons is rumbling on. President Nikenike Vurabaravu recently granted 13 pardons, including to two people who had been convicted of child rape. The ensuing public outcry led to the PM, Jotham Napat, requesting that the President withdraw the pardons. The Office of the President responded with a statement to justify the decision. Napat has come back with an announcement of reform to the constitutional process related to pardons in Vanuatu.
Water shortages a growing concern in PNG
There are mounting concerns across Papua New Guinea as the effects of water shortages are felt. In Port Moresby, water has been restored after a three-day break in services, with authorities able to undertake critical repair work which had been blocked by landowners. Elsewhere in the country, the El Nino system has caused shortages and drought. In some parts of the country, schools have resorted to shortening their hours of operation and sending students home early.
Forum Foreign Ministers meet in Fiji
The foreign ministers of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) met recently in Fiji. This meeting played a crucial role in deciding what will be on the agenda of Pacific Leaders when they meet at the end of August in Palau. Key regional issues were discussed, including how the region should collectively respond to the recent testing of a nuclear capable missile in Pacific waters. Ministers have tasked officials to work further on the draft text ahead of the Leaders’ meeting in Palau.
Historic meeting to take place in Canberra in support of West Papua
The Australian chapter of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) met in Parliament House in Canberra on Monday. This is the first time for a meeting of this type to be held in the national Parliament. The meeting was hosted by David Shoebridge of the Australian Greens party. It comes at a significant time in the lead up to the meeting of Pacific Islands Forum leaders at which the human rights situation in West Papua is expected to be discussed.
About the author: Dr Tess Newton Cain is Principal Consultant at Sustineo. She is also a distinguished academic and researcher with over 25 years of unmatched experience in delivering exceptional policy, research, and analysis to drive strategic development across the Pacific islands region.
