July 3 Pacific News Brief

Fiji – Navy

Fiji’s brand new patrol boat has finally been towed off the Fulaga Reef where it ran aground three weeks ago.

Guardian class patrol boat Default RFNSThe Argus patrol ship, which was donated by Australia to Fiji in March this year, had just arrived in Fiji in May and ran aground while performing its first patrol mission.

According to the Royal Fiji Navy (RFN), the vessel has been towed to the nearby island of Ogea where a thorough damage assessment will be carried out.

Meanwhile, the Inquiry Committee continues to investigate the grounding and will make recommendations based on its findings.

Papua New Guinea – Review

Sacked Madang MP Bryan Kramer has been granted permission to submit an urgent review application to the National Court of a decision made by Papua New Guinea’s leadership tribunal last year.

Governor General Sir Bob Dada removed Cramer from his MP position in May 2023 on the advice of the court after he was found guilty of seven counts of misconduct.

Nationwide The Supreme Court also reportedly overturned a state court decision denying Kramer a review, saying the judge erred.

On August 18, 2023, the National Court rejected Kramer’s request for judicial review, stating that the grounds of bias in the court’s decision were not arguable.

Justice Murray, speaking for the Supreme Court, said this was a mistake because the judgment failed to consider the other nine grounds.

Kramer filed for a review on the grounds that the tribunal’s ruling in May last year violated natural justice, was unreasonable and biased.

papua new guinea

Three men in their 20s who were taken hostage near Mount Sisa in Papua New Guinea’s Hela province last Friday have been released.

Police had previously been dispatched to the area.

this The Courier Police Chief David Manning reported that the kidnappers had been warned that if they continued to threaten the hostages with guns, they would most likely be killed.

“PNG has had enough of these cowardly criminals preying on innocent people and security forces have made it clear they will stop them,” he said.

Manning said the kidnappers obviously knew that police would show no mercy for such crimes.

Bougainville – Budget

The Bougainville House of Representatives has passed the 2024 Supplementary Budget.

Minister of Finance and Treasury Robin Wilson said the total budget will increase from K761,186,000.00 to K776,290,100.00 (just over US$3.9 million).

In a statement, the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) said this reflected recent changes in government policy, decisions and current needs.

“This budget is more than just a fiscal document; it reflects our strategic intent, our resilience and our unwavering commitment to the development and prosperity of Bougainville as it moves towards greater autonomy and ultimately independence,” he said.

Samoa – Salaries

Samoa First Alliance has commended the Government for increasing the minimum wage from 3 Tala to 4 Tala per hour effective July 1.

CEO China Tomi-Setu told samoa observer Although they advocate for an increase of 5 tala per hour, the coalition is optimistic about the new two-year review cycle.

From July 1, 2025, the wage will further increase to 4.84 tala per hour.

Mr Sevioga expressed confidence that Samoa’s economic growth, especially the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, would lead to greater wage increases in the future as the current increases were based on 2018 figures.

Samoa – Projects

The Samoan government has reached an agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to implement a project aimed at strengthening Samoa’s flood protection, supplying sustainable water sources and providing renewable energy.

The multi-purpose dam, built at a cost of US$100 million, is designed to enhance climate resilience and adaptation in the face of natural disasters.

Finance Minister Lautimua Afua Ueles Wai said the project would significantly improve the lives of Samoans, especially those vulnerable to natural disasters.

Pacific Ocean – Wastewater

Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Baron Waqa says the next Pacific Islands Leaders’ Meeting (PALM) will discuss the Fukushima nuclear wastewater discharge.

Waqa has taken over the position of Secretary General from Henry Puna.

He said if leaders have immediate concerns about the release of treated nuclear wastewater, they will raise them at a meeting later this month.

Japan insists the process is safe and the UN nuclear watchdog is monitoring it.

Northern Mariana Islands – Auditions

Four singers from the Northern Mariana Islands are preparing to audition for American Idol and The Voice later this year.

saipan tribune The four contestants were reportedly the champions of last year’s inaugural Marianas Got Talent competition.

Arlene Reyes of MGT said the team has been practicing hard for the auditions.

She said “music brings people together” and she hopes the team’s aspirations will inspire young people in the Marianas.

Meanwhile, the second season of MGT will begin later this month, with auditions covering all three islands (Saipan, Tinian and Rota), with auditions beginning on the 27th in Rota.