Papua New Guinea – violence
National Capital
District governor Powes Parkop says the economic cost of
violence in the country reaches into the
billions.
Parkop, who is also on the parliamentary
committee for gender equality, said the number of women and
girls subjected to gender-based violence (GBV) has increased
to about 3.4 million since the launch of the National
Strategy to respond to and end GBV in 2017.
He said in
2016, the figure stood at over 2.5m – representing a rate of
one woman subjected to violence every ten
seconds.
Parkop said economically the cost to the
nation in terms of lost work and productivity is estimated
at nearly US$4.55 billion in cost productive days per
year.
Local media reported in parliament this week,
Minister for Labour and Employment Kessy Sawang cited a 13.7
percent difference in wages between men and women, and
promised to table legislative changes to improve
this.
Fiji – Constitution
Fiji’s former
Attorney-General says the coalition government’s attempts to
amend the 2013 Constitution, ahead of the national election
next year, are for political gain.
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum
told The Fiji Times the government should be
prioritising Fiji’s economic challenges and social problems
rather than consitutional change.
Prime Minister
Sitiveni Rabuka failed in his efforts to secure the support
of three-quarters of the members of parliament to amend
sections 159 and 160 of the constitution.
Advertisement – scroll to continue reading
Rabuka also
sought to completely remove the requirement for a national
referendum in relation to any proposed changes to the
consitution.
While the bill passed its first reading
with support from four opposition MPs, it failed narrowly at
the second reading.
Sayed-Khaiyum said the cost of
living, crime and drug-related problems are more pressing
issues for the people than amending the
constitution.
Samoa – crime
A criminal was
captured by Samoa police on Monday after being on the run
for nearly two months.
The Samoa Observer
reported that police arrested Lauititi Tualima at a
rental property behind the Aele Primary School rugby
field.
Tualima had been on the run since he escaped
from the high-security Tanumalala prison at the end of
January.
Police Commissioner, Auapa’au Logotino Filipo
told the Observer there was a possibility charges
could be laid against residents of the property if they had
been harbouring the prisoner.
Solomon Islands –
weather
The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service
and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology have launched a new
partnership.
The Australian High Commission to the
Solomons said the agreement includes upgrading existing
weather stations from manual to semi-automated.
The
Solomons’ Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster
Management and Meteorology, Trevor Mahaga, said the
partnership will enable them to save lives and minimise
economic losses.
Tonga – development
Tonga’s
Crown Prince says the country’s future depends on meeting
the needs of its people.
Crown Prince Tupouto’a
‘Ulukalala told the national development summit the people
must be provided with access to quality education,
healthcare, and a way to make a living.
The summit,
which is to develop a new long-term plan for the country,
has been underwaythis week in Nuku’alofa.
Matangi
Tonga reported the Crown Prince saying the “people are
our nation’s most valuable asset for
development”.
Northern Mariana Islands –
casino
The Northern Marianas governor is disappointed
the moth-balled Saipan casino is set to sell for US$12.9
million.
Arnold Palacios said he was hoping the
Imperial Pacific Resort would sell for $25 million.
He
said there is going to be a hearing on whether that bid is
acceptable, and the Office of Attorney General will be
monitoring it fairly closely.
Aotearoa New
Zealand
New Zealand’s foreign minister says the
prosperity of the Pacific Islands is something New Zealand
and the United States agree on.
Winston Peters said
there’s a lot happening at present in the Indo-Pacific and
the world, and it was a valuable time to talk to the United
States.
Peters said they also talked about all the
areas where New Zealand and the United States have interests
in common, including the prosperity and stability of the
Pacific Islands and promoting a balanced and mutually
beneficial trade and economic
relationship.
New Zealand’s public broadcaster, providing comprehensive NZ news and current affairs, specialist audio features and documentaries.
Radio New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. Radio New Zealand News are vital elements in our programming, providing impartial news and information to New Zealanders every day. Radio New Zealand (RNZ) provides listeners with exciting and independent radio programmes in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter.
