Pacific News Brief, June 26

Papua New Guinea – Claims

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has rejected suggestions the country is facing a severe financial crisis.

Multiple sources told The Courier Newspaper reports said the government owed contractors tens of millions of kina.

Contractors said banks were refusing to accept their cheques due to the government’s financial situation.

Other sources working within the government said the accounts showed the debt was K1.3 billion (more than US$330 million).

In addition to this, government contractors told the newspaper that there are currently outstanding contracts valued at K100 million (about US$28 million).

Prime Minister Marape denied the claims and called it misinformation.

He highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Budget Management Committee to ensure fiscal discipline.

Solomon Islands – Police

Australia’s prime minister says he will consider a request from the Solomon Islands’ prime minister to help double the size of the Pacific island nation’s police force.

Anthony Albanese met with Jeremiah Manele in Canberra this week, his first meeting since Manele was elected in April.

In a joint statement today, the two Prime Ministers reaffirmed that Australia is the partner of choice for the Solomon Islands and provides the largest development and security cooperation program for the island nation.

Leaders asked Ministers and officials to work together to meet Solomon Islands’ request to Australia to assist in expanding and building the capacity of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

These include Honiara’s ambitious plan to increase the police force from 1500 to 3000.

In July 2023, Manele’s predecessor, Manasseh Sogavare, signed a security agreement with China, which drew widespread criticism from the Western world.

Fiji – Budget

The cost of living, housing inflation and brain drain are expected to be key concerns in Fiji’s future budget.

Fijian Village It is reported that more than 70,000 people have left Fiji in the past 18 months.

Most of them are skilled and semi-skilled workers, accounting for about 15% of the total workforce.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Biman Prasad will present the 2024/25 state budget at 10 am on Friday.

Cook Islands – Crime

The Cook Islands prime minister says he will re-establish community policing to tackle rising crime rates on Rarotonga.

Mark Brown, who is also the Police Minister, made the comments during a parliamentary debate on more than NZ$6 million for the police service in this year’s budget.

The Vaka Puaikura community police force was established in 2008 and ceased operations in 2016.

The leader of the Cook Islands United Party has told parliament there have been a series of recent car accidents.

The Prime Minister said he would hold meetings with Puakula and Takitumu councillors to reinstate community policing as soon as possible.

American Samoa – Apply

Two Pacific Islands Forum officials are in American Samoa to work on the next phase of the region’s pending associate membership application.

The purpose of the visit was to allow the Forum to conduct an internal assessment of how American Samoa’s governance institutions, programs and services align with the Pacific Islands Forum’s vision and mission, specifically the thematic areas of the “Blue Pacific Continental Strategy 2050.”

On Tuesday, they attended a daily prayer service in the governor’s office conference room and were guests at a wreath-laying ceremony.

Guam – Flight tickets

Guam’s congressional representative, James Moylan, is trying to pass a law aimed at reducing the cost of airfare.

Airfare between Guam and Saipan can run as high as $500, while flights to other parts of the continental United States run into the thousands of dollars.

Current federal law does not allow foreign airlines to carry passengers or cargo between U.S. cities in an effort to protect domestic interests from foreign competition.

Only United Airlines offers flights between Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and Hawaii, and the tickets are very expensive.

Representative Moylan’s bill, first introduced to Congress last week, would allow foreign airlines to fly from Guam to other U.S. airports, with the goal of lowering airfares and giving people more travel options.

The Northern Mariana Islands’ congressional representatives also support the move.

Pacific/Japan – Forum

Tokyo is preparing for the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders’ Meeting.

Japan hosts the Pacific Leaders’ Meeting every three years to strengthen ties with the Pacific.

The July 16-18 meeting will discuss issues such as climate change, ocean issues, human resources training and maintaining a free and open international order, according to a release from the Japan Foreign Press Center.

The meeting will be held before the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Summit in Tonga in August.