October 2008

PNG court rules in favour of anti-loggersAudio

Updated 31/10/2008 14:01:23

Efforts by environmentalists in Papua New Guinea to stop logging in a vast area of virgin forest have received a boost from the courts.

Bougainville's economic recovery facing challengesAudio

Updated 31/10/2008 14:04:21

The Bougainville Government says the autonomous region's collapsed economy has picked up since the 2001 peace agreement with Papua New Guinea.

Samoan leaders appeal for peace after Brisbane clashesAudioTranscript

Updated 31/10/2008 15:20:23

RAIn Australia, Samoan leaders are appealing for peace after violent racial clashes in the city of Brisbane.

Minor parties say NZ mishandles relations with FijiAudio

Updated 31/10/2008 15:28:35

Two of New Zealand's minor political parties have criticised the government's approach to the interim government in Fiji.

No details on changes to Norfolk-Australia relationshipAudio

Updated 31/10/2008 15:30:44

The cabinet of Norfolk Island has met an Australian Cabinet Minister who wants to change the relationship between the island territory and the Australian government.

Pacific leaders develop plan for global financial falloutAudioTranscript

Updated 30/10/2008 14:57:29

Pacific Island Forum Economic Ministers have acted to deal with high fuel prices and to prepare the region to cope with the effects of the international financial crisis.

Tonga expects economic crists to affect remittancesAudio

Updated 30/10/2008 15:39:17

The current global economic crisis may force Pacific islanders living and working overseas to cut back on remittances.

Expert says dengue vaccine some years offAudio

Updated 30/10/2008 15:54:24

Across the Pacific this year, dengue fever is in plague proportions.

Solomons police arrest Australian wanted for murderAudioTranscript

Updated 30/10/2008 15:44:49

Solomon Islands police have arrested an Australian man wanted for murder in the state of Victoria.

Watchdog maintains stand against economic partnershipsAudio

Updated 30/10/2008 15:46:51

The Pacific Network on Globalisation says it is not going to change its position on the negative affects of globalisation in the region.

New Pacific partnership deal for EU & AustraliaAudioTranscript

Updated 30/10/2008 15:49:49

The two largest donors of aid to the Pacific, Australia and the European Union, have launched a new partnership agreement, during a visit to Paris by Australia's foreign minister Stephen Smith.

WW2 ordnance exploded in CNMIAudio

Updated 30/10/2008 16:43:20

A bomb disposal team has detonated another batch of World War Two ordnance on Saipan in the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas.

United Nations reacts to Fiji poliitcal meetingAudioTranscript

Updated 30/10/2008 16:48:25

The United Nations has responded to this week's meeting between Fiji politicians and interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama.

PNG Kina breaks through 60 Australian centsAudio

Updated 29/10/2008 15:10:58

The Papua New Guinea currency, the Kina has hit new highs in value against the Australian dollar.

NZ voters to decide on government in 10 daysAudio

Updated 29/10/2008 15:16:06

New Zealanders will vote in the country's general election in 10 days.

Women politicans share stories and skillsAudioTranscript

Updated 29/10/2008 15:45:08

Women have become heads of state and prime ministers and we may even see a female vice-president in the United States but here in the Asia-Pacific region, we have the world's lowest rate of female participation in political life.

United Nations wants more work on water and sanitatonAudioTranscript

Updated 29/10/2008 15:45:08

It's estimated that two-point-six billion people around the world do not have access to basic sanitation facilities - the United Nations describes this as a hidden global scandal.

Tongan troops to withdraw from IraqAudioTranscript

Updated 29/10/2008 15:47:58

Tonga's last soldiers serving alongside United States forces in Iraq will be withdrawn before the end of the year.

Samoan paper boycotts inquiry over reporting restrictionsAudio

Updated 28/10/2008 17:32:50

Journalists in Samoa are being supported by an international group in their protest at reporting restrictions imposed on a Commission of Inquiry.

Australian scientists grow genetically modified bananaAudio

Updated 28/10/2008 17:32:50

Scientists in Australia have successfuly grown the country's first genetically modified banana plant.

Plans to set up Pacific TV channel in New ZealandAudio

Updated 28/10/2008 17:33:44

A move by New Zealand's ruling Labour Party to set up a free-to-air domestic Pacific Island television channel has been labelled an election stunt by the opposition National Party.

European Union defends its push for Economic AgreementsAudio

Updated 28/10/2008 17:33:55

The European Union has publicy defended its push to sign economic partnerships with Pacific nations.

Solomons students at PNG Unitech safeAudioTranscript

Updated 28/10/2008 17:34:12

Reports that students from Solomon Islands were attacked during recent violence at the University of Technology in Lae have been dismissed.

PNG University to expell students who drink on campusAudioTranscript

Updated 28/10/2008 17:34:26

Papua New Guinea's Lae University of Technology says students who consume alcohol on campus will be expelled.

Pacific women need to take control of water and sanitationAudio

Updated 28/10/2008 17:33:33

Eighty-two million people in the Asia Pacific region do not have adequate water and sanitation.

Fiji's coup leader holds talks for the first time with political leadeAudioTranscript

Updated 27/10/2008 17:50:06

For the first time since Fiji's 2006 coup, the man who staged the military takeover, interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has met the country's political leaders.Commodore Bainimarama hosted the meeting to allow the politicians to give their views on what is needed to return the country to democratic rule.

Australia helps Solomons overhaul immigrationAudioTranscript

Updated 27/10/2008 17:54:47

Solomon Islands is overhauling its immigration department.

Australian negotiates peace deals in PNG tribal fightsAudio

Updated 27/10/2008 17:56:46

Tribal war has been a way of life for generations in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.

Pacific falling behind in progress towards eliminating extreme povertyAudioTranscript

Updated 27/10/2008 17:53:37

A child dies every 20 seconds from water and sanitation related illnesses, all of which are preventable.

Maori Party out campaigningAudio

Updated 24/10/2008 09:52:48

South Auckland in New Zealand is home to a large number of Maori and Pacific Islanders.

Potato blight hits PNGAudio

Updated 24/10/2008 09:52:48

The humble potato is the staple diet of millions around the world, but the industry in Papua New Guinea faces imminent closure due to the deadly potato blight.

Tongans guaranteed of employment in capital rebuildingAudioTranscript

Updated 24/10/2008

The Tongan government has guaranteed employment of the local work force in the rebuilding of the capital Nuku'alofa.

No clear candidate for Bougainville PresidentAudio

Updated 24/10/2008 16:32:19

With just a week before nominations open for the by-election on Bougainville for a new president, there's no clear indication as to who the candidates would be.

Chief Minister denies 'failed state' claim by MinisterAudio

Updated 24/10/2008 16:32:19

Norfolk Island's Chief Minister, Andre Nobbs, denies claims by the Australian federal minister in charge of the territory that it could become a failed state.

UN steps up focus on Human Rights reportingAudio

Updated 24/10/2008 16:32:19

The United Nations is stepping up its focus on human rights accountablity under the new Human Rights Council.

World Bank says Pacific can act to limit financial damageAudio

Updated 23/10/2008 11:37:37

The World Bank says the Pacific has cause for concern that its two main economic lifelines, tourism and remittances, may be affected by the turmoil in world financial markets.

Tim George signs off as RAMSI Special Co-OrdinatorAudio

Updated 23/10/2008 11:37:37

The multinational "Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands", or RAMSI, will have a new special co-ordinator next year.

Vanuatu declares dengue fever outbreakAudio

Updated 23/10/2008 11:37:37

Vanuatu health authorities have declared a dengue fever outbreak and a nation-wide campaign to control the spread of the disease.

Fire service had no water to extinguish Highlands blazeAudio

Updated 23/10/2008 17:09:55

A fire has destroyed Papua New Guinea's Western highlands provincial government headquarters in Mt Hagen.

Australia urged not to scrap pacific guest workers schemeAudio

Updated 23/10/2008 17:09:55

The Australian Government has been urged not to scrap the trial Pacific guest worker's scheme in the face of rising national unemployment..

Indonesian fisherman still missing in American SamoaAudio

Updated 23/10/2008 17:09:55

The Indonesian government is filing a lawsuit against the Taiwanese owners of a fishing fleet working for Starkist Samoa for allegedly enslaving more than forty Indonesian fishermen on their boats.

ADB releases report on the impact of the financial crisis on the PacificAudio

Updated 23/10/2008 17:09:55

The Asian Development Bank says the banking system in the Pacific is well-shielded from the international financial crisis but that island economies can still expect a slowing of economic growth.

Commodore asks to meet Fiji's politiciansAudio

Updated 22/10/2008 12:58:47

Fiji's military leader, interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has called on the country's politicians to meet with him to discus the island nation's political future.

PNG teachers angry over pay disputeAudioTranscript

Updated 22/10/2008 09:49:44

Teachers in Papua New Guinea are angry that money meant to settle their pay dispute has been sitting in trust account all year.

ANZ plans new jobs and growth in the PacificAudio

Updated 22/10/2008 11:16:46

The ANZ Bank is defying turmoil in global financial markets with the announcement, today, of a new growth strategy for the Pacific through to 2012.

Australian cleared by Solomons court after 20 yearsAudio

Updated 22/10/2008 11:16:46

An Australian businessman, John Meint Smith has finally received justice in the Solomon Islands High Court after more than 20 years.

PNG mulls getting a team in Australia's NRL league competitionAudio

Updated 22/10/2008 11:16:46

The Papua New Guinea government is moving ahead with an ambitious plan to have a PNG-based team in the Australian National Rugby League competition.

How solid is the Pacific's trade frontAudio

Updated 22/10/2008 17:20:44

Labour mobility may still be a stumbling block preventing the Pacific from forming a united bloc as signatories to the European Union's economic partnership agreement.

PNG minister wants parents to stop having so many babiesAudio

Updated 22/10/2008 17:20:44

The Government of Papua New Guinea has asked the country's people to stop having so many babies.

Fiji government critics silenced says prominent lawyerAudioTranscript

Updated 22/10/2008 17:20:44

Prominent Fiji lawyer, Graham Leung, has spoken out about what he says is a climate of apprehension and revenge in his country, designed to silence critics of the interim government.

Cyclone chance average this seasonAudio

Updated 21/10/2008 17:05:15

Climate scientists are predicting an average risk of tropical cyclones in the South Pacific region during this cyclone season.

Dengue fever outbreak affects the PacificAudio

Updated 21/10/2008 17:05:15

A number of Pacific Islands have been struck down by an outbreak of dengue fever.

Atoll-dwellers to be prepared for day they have to leaveAudio

Updated 21/10/2008 17:05:15

The Solomon Islands Minister for Environment is preparing the people of Ontong Java for the day they will have to leave their atolls.

Solomon Islands high melamine in candyAudio

Updated 20/10/2008 16:39:05

RAIn Solomon Islands, very high levels of the potentiall fatal chemical melamine have been found in samples of candies sent for analysis to Brisbane.

New French language newspaper for Vanuatu and New Caledonia.AudioTranscript

Updated 20/10/2008 16:49:31

A new French language newspaper has been launched in Vanuatu.

French Polynesian president in New Caledonia to improve tiesAudio

Updated 20/10/2008 16:49:31

French Polynesia's President Gaston Tong Sang is attempting to improve relations with New Caledonia.

Niue continues to enjoy NZ associationAudio

Updated 20/10/2008 16:49:31

Niue's Premier doesn't expect next months elections in New Zealand will impact on the countries long standing relationship.

Children as young as 13 involved in sex tradeAudioTranscript

Updated 20/10/2008 16:49:31

Fiji's poor economy is being blamed for a rise in the number of children becoming prostitutes.

New taro varieties developedAudioTranscript

Updated 17/10/2008 10:45:06

Samoan researchers have developed three new varieties blight-resistant taro.

New Caledonian women struggling to benefit from employment boomAudioTranscript

Updated 17/10/2008 10:45:06

New figures show that unemployment in New Caledonia has been almost halved in the last four years.

Solomon Islanders want RAMSI to stayAudio

Updated 17/10/2008 17:04:10

An independent survey has found that an overwhelming majority of Solomon Islanders want the Regional Assistance Mission to remain in the country.

Move to replace French pacific franc with euro by 2011Audio

Updated 17/10/2008 10:51:03

The euro could replace the French Pacific Franc as the national currency of French Pacific territories as early as 2011.

Australia to help with Pacific disabled sportAudio

Updated 17/10/2008 10:51:03

Australian sporting officials will soon sit down with their Fijian counterparts to take the next step in developing sport for disabled people in the Pacific nations.

Vanuatu ships owners angered that foreign ship is taking businessAudioTranscript

Updated 17/10/2008 10:51:02

RAShip owners in Vanuatu say they are losing valuable business because the government is allowing a foreign ship to transport passengers and cargo between the islands.

No reason given for Fiji and PNG no show in SamoaAudio

Updated 17/10/2008 17:04:10

Mystery surrounds the non appearace of Fiji and Papua New Guinea at the climate change conference in Samoa.

Forum firm on Fiji elections in March 2009AudioTranscript

Updated 17/10/2008 17:04:10

The chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and Premier of Niue Toke Talagi has reviewed the Forum's response to the judgement of the coup court case in Fiji.

Another Arson attack on Fiji's Hindu TemplesAudioTranscript

Updated 17/10/2008 17:04:10

Another Hindu Temple in Fiji has been destroyed by fire.

New Caledonia's main industry hit by fall in nickel pricesAudio

Updated 17/10/2008 17:04:09

A fall in nickel prices is likely to spell the end of the economic boom in New Caledonia.

Vanuatu to get a significant wage increaseAudio

Updated 16/10/2008 11:40:07

The minimum wage in Vanuatu has increased significantly.

Greenpeace database blacklists pirate fishersAudio

Updated 16/10/2008 11:40:07

The international environmental organisation, Greenpeace wants Pacific Governments to use a new website it has set up that blacklists companies involved in illegal fishing.

Pressure on French Polynesia to put fishing boats into use by 2009Audio

Updated 16/10/2008 11:40:07

The government of French Polynesia will face a severe fine if they do not get 24 fishing boats in operation by the end of the year.

Solomons confirms presence of Giant African SnailsAudio

Updated 16/10/2008 11:40:07

Solomon Islands Agriculture Quarantine authorities have now confirmed the presence of the destructive Giant African Snail outside of the capital, Honiara.

Compulsory religious classes in PNG schools from 2010AudioTranscript

Updated 15/10/2008 12:14:08

Concerns about bad behavior among PNG students has led to the introduction of compulsory religious instruction classes in schools.

100 per cent New Caledonian production to boost local film industryAudioTranscript

Updated 15/10/2008 12:14:08

New Caledonia's film industry could be boosted by the release of the country's first 100 per cent local production.

Pacific artwork on display in CanberraAudio

Updated 15/10/2008 12:14:08

It has been collecting dust for years -- hidden away in Australia's National Art Gallery in Canberra.

Chinese community in French Polynesia divided over demands for originaAudio

Updated 15/10/2008 12:14:08

The Chinese community of French Polynesia is divided over the issue of reverting to their original Chinese names.

Taiwan committed to Pacific alliesAudio

Updated 15/10/2008 12:14:08

Taiwan's Ambassador to Solomon Islands, George Chan says his government's commitment to its six Pacific allies is rock-solid.

Solomons murder not related to ethnic tensionsAudio

Updated 15/10/2008 17:46:34

Solomon Islands police say the stabbing death of a Guadalcanal man at the Honiara Central Market last weekend had nothing to do with ethnic tension.

Fiji Reserve Bank accused of not performingAudio

Updated 15/10/2008 17:46:34

Fiji is not placed well to survive a continuation of the current global economic crisis according to an Australian based economist.

Deposed opposition leader shocked at court rulingAudio

Updated 14/10/2008 12:09:54

Fiji's deposed opposition leader says last week's court ruling that the 2006 coup was legal is a shocking decision.

Solomons Foreign Minister dismisses misbehaviour claimsAudioTranscript

Updated 14/10/2008 12:15:03

The Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Minister has categorically denied claims that Prime Minister Derek Sikua and members of his delegation had been drunk and misbehaved while at the UN General Assembly recently.

New Caledonia's dominant The Future Together party splitsAudioTranscript

Updated 14/10/2008 12:15:03

New Caledonia's dominant political party has split over a disagreement with the leadership.

Cruise boaters concerned by attacks on vessels in South PacificAudioTranscript

Updated 14/10/2008 12:15:03

There is growing concern among the cruise boating community over pirate attacks and robberies on their vessels in the South Pacific.

Bately says Australia still wants return to democracy in FijiAudioTranscript

Updated 14/10/2008 12:15:03

Australia's High Commissioner to Fiji says last week's court ruling that the interim government is legal introduces uncertainties.

PNG Stock Market down but still outperforming Australia'sAudio

Updated 14/10/2008 16:34:44

The Port Moresby Stock Exchange has started to feel the ill winds of market turmoil.

Pacific delegates get briefing on guest worker schemeAudio

Updated 14/10/2008 16:34:44

Australia's horticultural industry is moving a step closer to ensuring its employment of Pacific guest workers encounters as few problems as possible when the scheme finally gets underway.

Higher pensions for French civil servants in Pacific territories to beAudio

Updated 13/10/2008 11:39:27

The French government's plan to phase out higher pensions available to civil servants retiring in France's overseas territories has met with strong criticism.

Australia to help with Pacific disabled sportAudio

Updated 13/10/2008 11:39:27

Australian sporting officials will soon sit down with their Fijian counterparts to take the next step in developing sport for disabled people in the Pacific nation.

France allows New Caledonia to reinclude question on ethnicity in censAudio

Updated 13/10/2008 11:39:27

New Caledonia has been exempted from a French law which would ban it from recording ethnicity as part of its census.

Sweeping changes to gun laws to combat violent crimeAudio

Updated 13/10/2008 11:39:27

The Papua New Guinea government is being called upon to make sweeping changes to the country's guns laws to curb violent crime.

Concerns over economy top Palau's electoral agendaAudio

Updated 13/10/2008 11:39:27

Palau is preparing to go to polls next month with the economy as the number one issue.

Claims of inducements in regional voting for WHO chiefAudioTranscript

Updated 13/10/2008 11:39:27

Tonga claims several Pacific nations were offered inducements by South Korea to change their votes at a regional meeting of a United Nations body.

Samoa considers life sentences for drug possesion

Updated 10/10/2008 10:42:31

Some of the Pacific regions toughest drug laws are to be considered by Samoa's parliament in an attempt to crack down on drug use and trafficking.

Solomons government members investigatedAudioTranscript

Updated 10/10/2008 10:42:31

The Solomon Islands Leadership Code Commission has begun investigating members of the Sikua government for possible misconduct in office.

Fiji government unlikely to be recognised by AustraliaAudio

Updated 10/10/2008 10:42:31

The Australian government says the decision of Fiji's High Court to find the 2006 coup was legal does not mean it regards the country's military backed government as legitimate.

Finance Minister says Tuvalu Trust Fund can weather financial stormAudio

Updated 10/10/2008 10:42:31

Tuvalu's Finance Minister, Lotoala Metia, is confident his country's vital Trust Fund can weather the storm in world financial markets.

Fiji president calls on nation to move forwardAudio

Updated 10/10/2008 16:16:23

RAFiji's interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama has still remained silent following yesterday High Court decision that his removal of the elected government in 2006 was not illegal.

Air Vanuatu expands its servicesAudio

Updated 09/10/2008 17:42:49

At a time when major airlines around the world are cutting services, there's some positive news from a minnow in the aviation industry.

Kiribati seamen arrested for drug smuggling in USAudio

Updated 09/10/2008 17:42:49

Authorities in Kiribati are concerned about the recent arrest of three Kiribati seamen for drug smuggling in the United States.

PNG wants tougher gun ownerhship lawsAudio

Updated 09/10/2008 17:42:49

The Papua New Guinea government is being called upon to make sweeping changes to the country's guns laws to curb violent crime.

Expert says Fiji court judgement against spirit of the lawAudioTranscript

Updated 09/10/2008 17:42:50

Professor George Williams from the University of New South Wales is familiar with the courts of Fiji having represented former prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry following the events of the 2000 coup.

High court rules against deposed Fiji prime ministerAudio

Updated 09/10/2008 17:42:50

In Fiji, the High Court has ruled against deposed prime minister Laisenia Qarase's case testing the legality of the December 2006 coup.

Fiji waits high court coup rulingAudio

Updated 09/10/2008 17:42:49

This morning in Fiji, the country's Supreme Court will hand down its judgement on whether the December 2006 coup was legal.

US meatpacking plant to offer 300 jobs to PalaunsAudio

Updated 08/10/2008 16:20:09

A US meatpacking plant has given people from the Micronesian country of Palau an important employment opportunity by offering to hire 300 of them to work in Iowa.

At least 10 to contest Bougainville Presidential by-electionAudio

Updated 08/10/2008 16:20:09

There are early indications that at least 10 candidates will contest the up-coming presidential by-election in Papua NewG's autonomous region of Bougainville.

Auckland meeting to discuss bulk fuel buyingAudio

Updated 08/10/2008 16:20:09

Soaring fuel prices have reached crisis point in the Pacific Islands.

Judgement day for Qarase and interim government arrivesAudio

Updated 08/10/2008 16:20:09

In Fiji, the decision for the Qarase versus the State court case testing the legality of the December 2006 coup will be handed down on Friday.

French Polynesia and Fiji hit by airline cutbacksAudio

Updated 07/10/2008 09:27:50

Both Fiji and French Polynesia are to be hit by airline cutbacks.

Local tourism operators embrace the InternetAudio

Updated 07/10/2008 09:27:50

Helping indigenous tourism operators in the Pacific make the most of the internet is part of a global drive to embrace Information Technology.

Tongan government consider Freedom of Information ActAudio

Updated 07/10/2008 09:27:50

Government accountability in Tonga will be increased if the proposed Freedom of Information bill is adopted by the Government.

New Zealand website encourages use of Tokelauan languageAudio

Updated 07/10/2008 17:23:47

The New Zealand Government has launched a website designed to encourage the use of the Tokelauan language.

Solomons officers learn leadership valuesAudio

Updated 07/10/2008 17:23:47

Executive leaders from various Solomon Islands government institutions have learnt how to engage good leadership qualities using appropriate traditional Melanesian values.

US financial bailout includes tax breaks for American Samoan canneriesAudioTranscript

Updated 07/10/2008 17:23:47

Amongst the unlikely beneficiaries of the 700 billion US dollar bailout of the American financial system are the two tuna canneries in American Samoa.

Sir Paul doubts he'll chair Fiji's President's political forumAudio

Updated 07/10/2008 17:23:47

The Commonwealth's Special Envoy Sir Paul Reeves says the possibility of Fiji holding elections in 2009 are not great, and the chance that the Presidents Political Forum will take place at all is doubtful.

Fiji's major political parties want political forum to proceed withoutAudio

Updated 07/10/2008 09:27:50

Fiji's interim government says acceptance of the draft Peoples' Charter is the only way it is prepared to move the country forward.

Fijian Hindu community concerned by attacks on templesAudioTranscript

Updated 06/10/2008 17:49:14

In Fiji, the Hindu organisation Shree Sanatan Dharam Sabha, says it's concerned by the increase in attacks on its places of worship.

Huge crowd lines up for potential US visasAudioTranscript

Updated 06/10/2008 17:49:13

A lottery with a difference opens at American Embassies around the world this week ...

Kiribati, Tuvalu, Vanuatu to graduate from 'least developed' statusAudioTranscript

Updated 06/10/2008 10:55:15

Three Pacific Island countries are unhappy that their international aid and development assistance may be reduced.

American Samoa aims for permanent Population Pressure CommissionAudio

Updated 06/10/2008 10:55:15

American Samoa has hosted its first ever Population Summit, with the hope of establishing a permanent Population Pressure Commission.

PNG district looks for bigger cut of Hidden Valley gold mine profitsAudioTranscript

Updated 06/10/2008 17:49:13

In Papau New Guinea, the Bulolo district is locked in a row with the Morobe Provincial government over royalties from the Hidden Valley gold Mine.

New resort being built in FijiAudio

Updated 03/10/2008 14:28:58

Amidst seeming reports of doom and gloom in Fiji, there is news that a major hotel chain has agreed to manage the island's newest resort.

Fiji's President's Forum needs to start now - BeddoesAudio

Updated 03/10/2008 14:28:58

Fiji's ousted opposition leader Mick Beddoes has changed his mind about the President's Political Forum saying it needs to begin immediately.

Papuans in PNG still in limboAudio

Updated 03/10/2008 14:28:58

The return of two Papuan asylum seekers from Australia to Indonesia recently has thrown the spotlight back onto the Papuan refugee issue.

Vanuatu government defeats no confidence motion convincinglyAudio

Updated 03/10/2008 14:28:58

In Vanautu, the state of political chaos may have ended today with the comprehensive defeat of the oppositions motion of no confence by 31 votes to 20.

New Zealand shifts Aid focus from Polynesia to MelanesiaAudio

Updated 02/10/2008 12:04:04

New Zealand has announced that Melanesia is now it's top priority in regards to aid programs and trade partnerships.

Concern over Australian patrol boats in the PacificAudio

Updated 02/10/2008 12:04:04

Any move to scrap or downgrade Australia's support of 22 naval patrol boats used by 12 Pacific nations would have "serious ramifications" for the region's border security, combatting illegal fishing and transnational crime, according to one of the Forum's senior officials responsible for security.

French Police raid home of former president of French PolynesiaAudio

Updated 02/10/2008 12:04:04

French financial police have raided the home and offices of the senator and former president of French Polynesia, Gaston Flosse.

Government may have secured a working majorityAudio

Updated 02/10/2008 12:04:04

It may take a court challange by the government to prevent Vanuatu's opposition from proceeding with the no confidence motion on Friday.

Tonga Princess Royal Patron of WhalesAudio

Updated 02/10/2008 16:43:54

Whale hunting was banned in the Kingdom of Tonga by a royal decree in 1978.

UN Assembly open to coup led statesAudio

Updated 02/10/2008 16:43:54

For the second time since seizing office in 2006 Fiji's interim prime minister has addressed the United Nation's General Assembly.

Fiji Government looks at banning rap musicAudio

Updated 02/10/2008 16:43:55

Rap Music has come under the spotlight of the Fijian Government with calls for some songs to be banned from radio stations.

Solomon Islands to have free primary education by 2009AudioTranscript

Updated 02/10/2008 16:43:55

The government of the Solomon Islands says it is working to make primary education free of charge as soon as next year.

Search on for missing WWII airmenAudio

Updated 02/10/2008 16:43:54

A RAAF team has arrived in Papua New Guinea ahead of its search for four missing airmen lost during the WW2 in New Britain.

PNG students protest suspension of meal serviceAudio

Updated 01/10/2008 10:59:51

Students at one of Papua New Guinea's leading teacher training faciliites haven't been fed in a week after the Insitutue failed to pay food suppliers and kitchen staff.

Gov't not affected by by-election resultsAudio

Updated 01/10/2008 10:59:51

RAThe results of the recent by-elections in Solomon Islands will not have any effect on the ruling government of Prime Minister Derek Sikua.

Fiji girls receive cervical cancer vaccineAudio

Updated 01/10/2008 10:59:51

A vaccine which can help prevent cervical cancer will be available to 32 thousand girls in Fiji.