One Papua New Guinea

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne has joined Solomon Islands caretaker Prime Minister Rick Hou in a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the commencement of the next phase of Coral Sea Cable System construction in Honiara, Tuesday.

The ground-breaking ceremony took place at Coral Sea Cable System construction site at Lengakiki in Honiara.

Hou in his speech said his government on behalf of the people of Solomon Islands thanked the Australian government for helping Solomon Islands realise its dream to be connected to a submarine cable network.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Payne affirmed that Australia will invest up to AUD$200 million (US$144 million) in the Coral Sea Cable System and Solomon Islands Domestic Network.

“This is a tangible symbol of our ongoing commitment to the Solomon Islands and the Pacific,” she added.

Both leaders further highlighted that this ‘game-changing’ infrastructure will be transformative for Solomon Islands nation as a whole.

It is understood that since the signing of a AUD$137 million (US$99 million) contract with Vocus in June 2018, construction of the Coral Sea Cable System and Solomon Islands Domestic Network has progressed well.

The landing station at Lengakiki will soon host a 4, 700-kilometre-long fibre optic submarine cable linking up Sydney, Port Moresby and Honiara.

Additional cable landing stations will be built for the Solomon Islands Domestic Network, which will link up the rest of the country connecting Honiara with provincial hubs in Auki, Noro and Taro.

The Coral Sea Cable will supply a capacity approximately 30,000 times the current demand.

Hou confidently stated that this will be a big boost for the country’s economic growth and country’s development journey into the future.

“This project is a critical infrastructure that will no doubt bring the government closer to its people.

“It will redefine Solomon Islands development and nation building process,” Hou said during the ceremony.

He further emphasised that this Coral Sea Cable system will drive sustainable development facilitate trade, make banking easier, expedite emergency response and opens tremendous opportunities for Solomon Islands.

But Foreign Affairs Minister Payne admitted that while the cable offers many opportunities, it comes with some challenges.

She said Australia is working closely with the Solomon Islands government and the World Bank to maximise the benefits and reduce the risks of this flagship project.

“We are helping your government to strengthen cyber security,” Payne said.....read more Technology News on : PNG eHow

SOURCE: SOLOMON STAR/PACNEWS

A special Supreme Court reference filed by the Papua New Guinea Attorney-General Davis Steven seeking the Supreme Court’s opinion on the constitutionality of a vote of no-confidence (VoNC) will be listed for directions hearing today.

The special reference also seeks to have the higher court’s interpretation and determination of the constitutionality of the powers of the Supreme Court to adjudicate over parliamentary processes.

Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika will hear parties in the reference today before a date can be set for a full court hearing.

It is understood that the Speaker of the National Parliament will also be an intervener in the reference.

The Reference SCR 5 of 2018 was filed by Twivey Lawyers on Dec 3 last year and consists of 15 questions.

The first issue is “whether nominated Prime Minister must be from a party with most numbers?”

The two first questions deal with this issue given the Constitution and Integrity Law when read together require that after an election – as the party with the most members must be invited to form government, must any nomination of a new Prime Minister in a vote of no-confidence also be required to be from the party of the most numbers?

The second issue is on votes of no-confidence and justifiability, questions 3 to 11 deal with issues concerning justifiability and the procedures of Parliament and its committees. These questions arise from a recent decision of the Supreme Court on Jul 12, 2016, where an application pursuant to S18(1) of the Constitution by Don Polye displayed an exercise by the court over every aspect of the process in Parliament and its committees, to the extent of defining words in the Standing Orders and limiting in future the discretion of the Speaker, the Clerk of Parliament and the Private Business Committee contrary to the Constitution and Standing Orders.

This decision according to the referrer raises serious issues concerning the Supreme Court’s powers to interfere in the process concerning motions for vote of no-confidence....

SOURCE: POST COURIER/PACNEWS/ONEPNG

To facilitate broad-based and inclusive growth in Papua New Guinea (PNG), increasing the quality of human capital through better education and health services, and strengthening the business environment to spur private sector development will be key, according to a report released by the World Bank today.

The World Bank’s Papua New Guinea Economic Update: Slower Growth, Better Prospects, is the second in a series, and was today launched in Port Moresby, providing an in-depth analysis of PNG’s economy, together with a special focus on developing PNG’s private sector as an engine of inclusive growth and jobs creation.

“Papua New Guinea has dealt with numerous challenges over the past year, not least the February 2018 earthquake that had a devastating impact on so many lives and the economy,” said Patricia Veevers-Carter, World Bank Country Manager for Papua New Guinea. “To reduce the vulnerability of the economy to natural disasters and commodity price shocks, the government should continue to facilitate broad-based, inclusive and sustainable development by focusing on building PNG’s human capital – through quality education and health investments – and strengthening the business environment to drive increased private sector development.”

Preliminary estimates suggest that real GDP growth slowed from 2.8 percent in 2017 to 0.3 percent in 2018, following a contraction in the extractive sector due to the February 2018 earthquake. This stands in contrast with the growth projection of 2.5 percent for 2018 made prior to the earthquake. Real GDP growth is forecast to rebound to 5.1 percent in 2019, primarily driven by an expected return to full annual production in the extractives sector. Non-extractive sector activity is expected to continue expanding, with better investor confidence supported by improved access to foreign exchange (FX). In the coming years, growth is estimated to hover at about three to four percent per year, until planned investments in new gas and mining projects kick in and improve PNG’s growth potential.

Ongoing reforms to strengthen PNG’s monetary and exchange rate policies are expected to improve business confidence and increase private investment and growth in PNG’s non-resource economy. Measures include addressing the shortage of FX, managing the liquidity effects of the use of FX to clear a backlog of orders, working on greater exchange rate flexibility, considering options for strengthening the interest-rate transmission mechanism, and enhancing modeling capacity in the central bank.

The Papua New Guinea Economic Update also includes an in-depth analysis on the need for more private sector development to meet the employment needs of PNG’s rapidly-growing working-age population, and ensuring more inclusive economic growth, including through more employment opportunities for women.

“Reforms aimed at improving access to infrastructure, foreign exchange, finance, land and skilled labor are required to ease constraints on PNG’s private sector development,” said Ilyas Sarsenov, World Bank Senior Country Economist for Papua New Guinea. “Setting the non-resource sector on a more robust trajectory will be essential to creating enough good jobs to absorb the large number of young job-seekers entering the labor force in the coming decades, particularly in the agriculture, fisheries, and tourism sectors.”.

SOURCE: WORLD BANK/

New Zealand's deputy prime minister Winston Peters says it would be premature to extend New Zealand citizenship to environmental refugees fleeing the effects of climate change.

New Zealand has been warned to prepare for a stream of refugees from the Pacific as low-lying atolls are swamped by sea-level rise.

If sea level rise continues at the current rate, Kiribati and Tuvalu could be completely submerged within decades.

But Peters said if countries work collectively, they can get on top of the climate change problem facing low-lying Pacific atolls.

SOURCE: RNZ PACIFIC/PACNEWS

The director of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) says there is no place in the Pacific for "regional economic integration".

Colin Tukuitonga said creating a common market in the region would make small island nations give up their sovereignty and autonomy to a central entity.

Dr Tukuitonga said Pacific leaders should continue with sub-regional initiatives like the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and Polynesian Leaders Groups (PLG).

“I don't think efforts to try to pursue a common market [are] going to be worthwhile. I think we're better to continue with the work we've been doing - regional co-operation around different sectors like fisheries, like agriculture, like human rights, like gender.

“But in a co-operative way rather than trying to have everyone belong to one entity.”

Colin Tukuitonga said the Pacific had a long history of successful regional co-operation.

He said a common market in the Pacific would also see one currency, one set of rules - one governance arrangement – “a bit like the European Union”.

“Smaller island nations will be reluctant to fully participate,” he said.

“They will be fearful that they will be overwhelmed.

“They would have to cede their decision-making. I don't think there's enough trust. I don't think they are ready for that,” he said.

SOURCE: SPC/PACNEWS

Outstanding payments to service providers and contractors of PNG Power from previous years will not be entertained.

This was revealed by the Acting Managing Director of PNG Power, Carolyn Blacklock in a statement.

According to the statement PNG Power Limited will not be accepting and settling any invoices from previous years dating from 2010 up to September 30, 2018 for goods and services rendered to PNG Power.

“PNG Power has taken this stringent measure to prevent fraudulent transactions and activities against PNG Power,” Ms Blacklock said.

The statement stressed that the presentation of outdated invoices raises suspicions and does not help in management of financial accounting.

“It breeds illegal activities and causes havoc to prudent and sound business management.”

Meanwhile, service providers are urged to always provide goods and services upon receipt of approved purchase orders from PNG Power and to immediately provide their invoices to PNG Power for payment.

“No payment shall be made without approved purchase orders,” the statement stated.

It explained that late presentation of invoices and approved purchase orders does not assist PNG Power and the respective businesses to foster good accounting practices, honesty and transparency.

It also warned that appropriate legal and criminal actions shall be taken against any service providers and contractors who are found to have been intentionally defrauding PNG Power on their own accord or in collusion or conspiracy with PNG Power’s employees.

Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) has serious concerns over the proposed new mining laws that some members of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) seem keen to rush through parliament.
The three bills that were introduced to parliament last Wednesday, with insufficient stakeholder consultation, are proving divisive at a time when unity is required in the lead-up to the referendum.
If passed, one of the bills seeks to amend the Bougainville Mining Act 2015 to allow a new company, Bougainville Advance Mining Limited, to be issued with a special mining licence granting “large-scale mining leases over all land in Bougainville available for reconnaissance, exploration and mining that is not subject to an existing exploration licence or mining lease”. Leases of up to 100 years could be granted.
These bills mirror proposals put forward by an Australian Jeffery McGlinn, whose apparent primary business appears to be horse breeding. In presentations to MPs and others he has proposed a 40 per cent stake in Bougainville Advance Mining for his own newly formed company Caballus Mining with other unknown foreign investors and sovereign states.
These developments raise very legitimate legal, constitutional and ethical questions, not only by BCL and its shareholders, but also by landowners in Bougainville and others in the community. More widely these bills could also be interpreted as both anti-competitive and anti-investment which is the last thing Bougainville needs.
BCL urges ABG leaders to think very seriously about the unnecessary divisions being created by these proposed amendments to the Mining Act and instead re-focus on the important work of unifying landowners and Bougainvilleans at this critical time for Bougainville, as they prepare for the referendum.
From the company’s own perspective, these legislative moves also ignore current court proceedings and BCL’s rights to natural justice and they are also at odds with the ABG’s decision to place a moratorium over the Panguna project area until after the Bougainville referendum. ...read more on : Pacific Mining Watch

The chairman of the Bougainville Education Board, MICHAEL PEARSON and ABG Minister for Education, THOMAS PATAAKU today welcomed teachers and students throughout Bougainville to the 2019 academic year.
Speaking live on New Dawn FM the two leaders said that they were happy that all schools throughout Bougainville started last week with students in Primary School joining the rest of the Schools this week.
They said that the standard of education has improved throughout the years with greater results in exams last year.
They said that they would like this year 2019 as another successful year for Bougainville Schools.
The Minister said that Education was the priority of the Government but parents must make sure all their school aged students are in school not baby sitting at home.
And the Board Chairman said no Teacher should send home students for not paying their school fees.
He said students should be given notes to take to their parents who must be responsible for their children’s school fees. New Dawn FM

Two local businesses in Samoa have been awarded contracts to supply sports equipment for the Pacific Games.

The companies are Island Rock Company Limited and Samoa Stationery & Books (SSAB) Limited.

“Sports equipment for the various sports is required in order to host a successful Pacific Games,” a statement issued by Cabinet said.

“The Government of the Peoples Republic of China is assisting the games by donating 80% of the required sports equipment. The Government of Samoa will procure the remaining 20% of sports equipment.

“The evaluation was carried out according to the conditions set out in the Request for Tender document, the stipulations of the Treasury Instructions 2016 and the Samoa Tenders Board Guideline for Government Procurement and Contracting: Goods, Works and General Services 2016.”
Breakdown of successful bids:

• Island Rock Co. Ltd – ST$298,883.10 (US$114,895.35) (to supply Lot 1 (split between Island Rock and SSAB) & Lot 3)

o Lot 1 – General Sports Equipment

o Lot 3 – Sports Equipment for Sailing

• Samoa Stationery & Books (SSAB) Ltd – ST$84,763 (US$32,592) (to supply Lot 1 (split between Island Rock and SSAB)

Meanwhile, Schwartz Construction Ltd has been awarded the contract for the refurbishment of Gym 1, Gym 2 and Gym 3 of the Faleata Sports Complex.

The tender for the projects was advertised for public interest and four companies submitted applications of bids.

An assessment of the tenders was conducted by the Sub-committee according to the procedures specified in the Government of Samoa Tenders Board Guidelines.

After the administrative, technical, and financial evaluation of all qualified tenders, it was recommended by the Committee that the bid for the Procurement of Works for the Rehabilitation of Gyms 1, 2, and 3 of the Faleata Sports Complex be awarded to Schwartz Construction Ltd at a total bid price SAT$631,710.00 (US$242,568.34)inclusive of all applicable taxes.
The price is inclusive of the 10% discount offered conditional on the award of all three Lots.

Cabinet approved the recommendation and awarded the contract to Schwartz Construction Ltd. Renovation works are still ongoing and they are on time, on budget and on schedule.

SOURCE: SAMOA OBSERVER/PACNEWS

Heavy torrential rain yesterday has flooded and cut off traffic flow between Gusap station and Usino-Bundi junction.
Surinam river forced mud and sediments onto the road while the bridge at Menya is hanging precariously.
Commuters and motorists alike are stranded on both sides of the blocked sections of the highway.
Currently police and officers from the Department of Works are monitoring the situation.
Rami Agri Industries is using its excavators to clear the flooded road section.
A good number of travellers heading to Walium in Usino to witness Prime Minister Peter O'Neill and Governor Peter Yama were left stranded and forced to walk across.

NBC/ONEPNG

Minister for Communications and Energy and Bulolo MP Samuel H. Basil Bulolo District Development Authority, Chief Executive Officer, Tae Guambelek presented bank deposit receipts to several training institutions yesterday.

The early payments are for sponsorships, tuition fees and training materials for students selected from the 110 wards in the district, attending Balob Teachers College in Lae, Wau Small Scale Mining School and Bulolo Technical School.
Apart from the training institutions, Grace Memorial Secondary School, Baiyun High School in Mumeng and Buang High School will benefit from internet connection in the coming months.

(Pictured are some images from Minister Basil's interaction with Principles of the various institutions)

NBC News

South Sydney fullback Alex Johnston would consider playing for Papua New Guinea and following the lead of Indigenous All Stars teammate Andrew Fifita by honouring his Pacifika heritage.

Johnston was one of the many NRL players who attended the NRL’s Cultural Leadership Camps at Sydney's North Head Quarantine Station.

Fifita, who will play for the Indigenous All Stars in Friday night’s match against New Zealand Maori, has pledged his allegiance to Tonga at Test level and joined the sessions with other players of Pacific Island heritage as he has attended previous Indigenous player camps.

Johnston, who will make his second All Stars appearance, took part in the Indigenous sessions but he said he would like to learn more about his PNG culture and revealed how he had almost played for the Kumuls at the 2017 World Cup.

"I was going to play for them but I tore my hammy. That was unlucky because it would have been pretty cool to represent that side of my family," Johnston said

"My nan was originally from Papua New Guinea but she has a Torres Strait Islands background too. She met my grandfather in PNG and they moved to Brisbane.

"That was a while ago and I don’t know too much about my PNG culture so it is pretty good for me to come to these camps and learn a bit more about my Indigenous culture and be around the other boys as well so I get to learn a bit there too."

With 47% of Telstra Premiership players having Pacific Islands heritages and 12% being Indigenous, the NRL has been running cultural leadership camps for several years but this was the first time both groups have been in the same place.

It was also the first time women’s players have been invited, with Warriors fullback Apii Nicholls and prop Annetta Nuuausala joining coach Luisa Avaiki, St George Illawarra halfback Raecene McGregor and Sydney Roosters second-rower Simaima Taufa at the Pacifika camp.

The players listened to keynote speakers, such as NRL senior manager of international strategy and awards Frank Puletua and Aboriginal activist Paul Coe, while discussing issues which affected their communities, such as rising oceans in the Pacific.

They also took part in cultural workshops, which included learning traditional skills such as fire starting and spear throwing.

"I’ve been to a few of these and they are always good," Johnston said. "You do activities like making the rope and learning to throw the spears so that’s pretty cool."

With Greg Inglis recovering from knee surgery and Ben Barba having been sacked by North Queensland, Johnston is expected to play fullback for the Indigenous All Stars.

He confirmed that was his preferred position for the Rabbitohs but was prepared to make way for Inglis by moving to the wing.

"I am pretty sure I will be starting the year at fullback, depending on how Greg goes, and I will just try to play my best footy there to cement my spot," he said.

"If Greg ends up playing there then there is a spot for me on the wing and at the end of the day I am still playing footy and I am still playing the game I love. If I am on the wing I am sure I will be scoring some tries and enjoying my footy.

"At the end of the day, fullback is the role I want. That is where my goals are set so I just want to play some good footy, keep learning and achieve that goal."

Johnston insisted he had not been approached by the Cowboys as a replacement for Barba and was pleased new Souths coach Wayne Bennett had publicly declared he was part of the club’s long-term plans.

"It was pretty cool for Wayne to come out and say that and make me feel like I am definitely wanted by the club, which I have always felt anyway," Johnston said.

“At the start of the year the Sharks contacted me but since then it has all just been media speculation. I don’t know if some people are just joining the dots."

Brad Walter
NRL.com Senior Reporter

A try from each of Featherstone’s Papua New Guinea internationals helped the Rovers secure a 42-14 victory in their Betfred Championship home opener against Batley Bulldogs.

Brad Day celebrated his 100th career appearance by also getting on the scoresheet and Josh Walters went over in his first match since signing for the club.

The Rovers line-up for the match featured two separate sets of brothers for the first time in 30 years, with PNG's Boas brothers joined by Daniel and Cameron Smith, who were appearing together for the first time at professional level.

Watson Boas grounded the ball in the 10th minute for the first try, after Cameron Smith found him with an offload from a three-man tackle.

The Bulldogs then hit-back quickly and took the lead, as Campbell latched onto a grubber-kick for their first and Jouffret was the most alert to a loose ball for their second.

Luke Briscoe was then the one to collect a loose ball. He almost made the line himself, but instead sent the ball inside to Thompson “The Terminator” Teteh, who lived up to his pre-match statement and retook the lead for Featherstone.

Cameron King then added another with a try on his competitive home debut, to continue his run of scoring in every match he has played in the UK.

Featherstone reasserted their dominance at the start of the second-half, with Ase Boas’ delicate kick finding Conor Carey, who then put Josh Walters clear through.

Super League winner Brad Singleton then scored on his Rovers debut, with a forceful run.

He then created the platform for Watson Boas to put Day in with a grubber-kick two minutes later.

Calum Turner came to the fore in the 69th minute, bursting downfield on his home debut, before sending Cameron Smith racing in.

Ase Boas then concluded Featherstone’s try-scoring, collecting an offload off the floor and giving his brother a simple conversion, before Batley claimed a consolation try in the final minute through Daniel Yates.

Featherstone’s five-try haul in the second-half will have given them confidence, ahead of next week’s trip to face Leigh Centurions.

ROVERS: Turner, Briscoe, Teteh, Walters, Carey, A. Boas, W. Boas, Ormondroyd, King, Singleton, Day, C. Smith, Lockwood. Subs - Davies, Cooper, Maskill, D. Smith.

Tries: Watson Boas (10), Teteh (31), King (35), Walters (44), Singleton (52), Day (54), Cameron Smith (69), Ase Boas (76).

Goals: Watson Boas (5/8).

BULLDOGS: Scott, Reittie, Wood, Smeaton, Campbell, Jouffret, Brambani, Gledhill, Leak, Everett, Manning, Downs, Dickinson. Subs - Brown, Ward, Yates, Brearley.

Tries: Campbell (14), Jouffret (25), Yates (79).

Goals: Scott (1/3).

Source: Featherstone Media : https://www.featherstonerovers.co.uk

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has landed in Madang, for his second visit to the province in the space of a week.

Mr O'Neill and his delegation of ministers and department heads were welcomed by Governor Peter Yama at the airport.

The PM performed the groundbreaking of the Madang Airport upgrade and expansion, however, it was riddled by Madang Brian Kramer who blatantly “gate crashed” the official ground breaking ceremony of the K77 million Madang airport upgrading this morning.

Unabashed by the presence of the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and 15 other Cabinet Ministers plus officials, Mr Kramer and his supporters moved in on the ceremony and through a loud speaker system they had installed prior to the event, issued challenges against the Prime Minister and the government.
Police were called in to control the situation to prevent a possible clash of supporters as soon as the Prime Minister was leaving for his other official event where he will open the restored Banamb Bridge.

Schools and businesses in Vanuatu's northern provinces have shut down as Cyclone Oma is expected to bring gale force winds and flash flooding today.

The Category 1 system has triggered a red alert for Torba, Sanma and Penama meaning people are advised to secure property, avoid flood zones and stay home to wait out the dangerous weather.

Damaging gale force winds of 75 km with gusts up to 100km are expected to affect those three provinces for the next 12 to 24 hours.

Communications Officer for the National Disaster Management Office Presley Tari said with an increasing number of disasters over recent years, most people in Vanuatu were alert all the time and knew what to do.

He said more parts of the country are likely to shut down as the cyclone moves south.

“NDMO is advising everyone to stay alert in their houses. Prepare themselves for the cyclone coming. So we are asking those with the red alert to close down their business and even the schools I think [are] already closed like in the places where the red alert is.”

Tari said there were already reports on social media of damaged crops on northern islands from brief wild winds over the weekend ahead of Cyclone Oma.

Head forecaster for Vanuatu's Meteorological Service Fred Jockley said Oma was expected to reach Torba and Sanma today between midday and 6pm and it may yet intensify into a Category 2 system, before heading over cooler waters which would weaken its effects.

“The night shift forecasters have issued a red alert for especially Torba Province and Sanma Province. But for nine o'clock we will be including Penama and most probably Malampa. We'll see how fast the system moves closer to Sanma and Torba.”

He said there was also a marine warning in force for the whole of Vanuatu, and that vessels are strongly advised not to go out as high seas are expected for northern and central coastal and open waters.

Jockley said people needed to heed messages from the National Disaster Management Office to prepare themselves for the cyclone.

“For those who have not taken the warning seriously, they should start preparing themselves before the system actually comes over if it maintains its track of movement.”

He said Shefa Province, which includes Vanuatu's capital Port Vila on the island of Efate, was likely to be impacted by Cyclone Oma within the next 24 to 48 hours but this would depend on how the system tracks.

Torba Province includes Banks and Torres Islands with a population of around 10,000 people and Sanma is home to 54,000 people mainly living on the islands of Santo and Malo.

SOURCE: RNZ PACIFIC/PACNEWS

The top U.S. commander in the Indo-Pacific warned lawmakers on Tuesday about the threat China poses to the United States.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command head Adm. Philip Davidson said China represents the “greatest long-term strategic threat to a free and open Indo-Pacific and to the United States.”

“Those who believe this is reflective of an intensifying competition between an established power in the United States and a rising power in China are not seeing the whole picture,” Davidson said in his opening statement during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.

“Rather, I believe we are facing something even more serious: a fundamental divergence in values that leads to two incompatible visions of the future."

Davidson added that Beijing uses “fear and coercion” in an attempt to “expand its form of ideology in order to bend, break and replace the existing rules-based international order.”

“Beijing seeks to create a new order, one with Chinese characteristics led by China, an outcome that displaces the stability and peace of the Indo-Pacific that has endured for over 70 years,” Davidson said.

The Defense Department in the last few years has shifted its focus, turning to combat so-called great power competitions with Russia and China over smaller insurgencies in the Middle East and Africa.

The Trump administration’s new Missile Defense Review, for instance, focuses heavily on how the United States will deter and counter missile threats from China, as well as Iran, North Korea and Russia.

Tensions between the U.S. and China hit new highs in the past year over trade and claims from the White House that Beijing was attempting to meddle ahead of the midterms to undermine.

Washington and Beijing have also had frequent incidents in disputed areas of the South China Sea, where the United States often conducts military movements.

Most recently, the United States on Sunday night sailed two warships, the USS Spruance and USS Preble, within 12 nautical miles of the disputed Spratly Islands.

The U.S. Navy said it was a “freedom of navigation operation,” carried out “to challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways as governed by international law," Navy spokesman Cmdr. Clay Doss told CNN.

The operation was the second in the South China Sea reported by the Navy this year.

Davidson said during the hearing that the operations “are critically important” not solely for the United States, but for the international free flow of communications, oil, trade, other economic means, cyber connectivity and the movement of people.

He said later in the hearing that in April 2018 China “populated those islands with anti-ship cruise missiles, with surface-to-air missiles and electronic jammers.”.

SOURCE: THE HILL/PACNEWS

Vanuatu has always been very principled in its approach to West Papua, in the issue of self-determination of any country, particularly in our own region, Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Dame Meg Taylor said.

She says the approach by Vanuatu is a very admirable position to take.

Dame Taylor says some of the countries don’t come out as strongly as Vanuatu.

“There are countries that have different views on this but they have come together with a collective decision.

“In all their communiques they (Forum Leaders) have expressed their concerns about human rights issues until last year.

“Last year they instructed the secretariat to keep a more proactive engagement with Indonesia,” she stated in an interview with Kizzy Kalsakau from 96 Buzz FM.

Dame Taylor said last year Prime Minister O'Neil addressed the University of the South Pacific and raised human rights issue and has been supportive of UN Human Rights Commission Mission to go into West Papua.

“I myself as SG met with Human Rights Commissioner last year when they came through the Pacific after they visited Jakarta, we raised the issue as well that, that is what we want to see.

“From the Secretariat itself what we have done over the last two years is we’ve gone into West Papua and Papua provinces to observe the elections there to see indigenous West Papuan people participate in those processes.

“Our reports are written and are sent out to member states.

“The situation of West Papua in the last couple of weeks has been desperate.

“People have died. People from Java and other provinces but most of all people of Melanesian decent, there have been tragedies there.

“I understand Indonesian Government has asked for the UN Mission to go in.

“Pacific countries should be on that (UN) mission,” Dame Taylor said.

SOURCE: VANUIATU DAILY POST/PACNEWS

Several of the Maseratis bought for last year’s summit of Asia-Pacific leaders have gone missing, Papua New Guinea admitted Tuesday, as it launched a probe to track them down.

The government of the impoverished nation faced harsh criticism for high spending – including buying a fleet of sportscars which sell for around US$150,000 each – for the November APEC summit, but promised to recoup some of the cost by selling them on.

Now, police have admitted, they don’t know where the cars are.

“A police unit has been established in the National Capital District to commence the recovery of all states assets including vehicles purchased for the APEC meetings,” police said in a statement.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s officials said the luxury cars were needed to keep up the prestige of the event.

During the summit they could be seen parked for days on end at a warehouse by the docks.

Police said they had arrested a man who used APEC credentials to enter wharf and siphon fuel from the vehicles.

PNG police are seeking the return of nearly 300 imported cars loaned to officials for driving world leaders around its capital during last year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation meeting, a commander said on Tuesday.

The purchase of the fleet, including 40 slick Maserati Quattroporte sedans, sparked public protest in a country beset by poverty, and potholes, and the government had promised to auction the cars after the November summit.

“There are 284 vehicles ... that were issued to personnel to use during APEC that haven’t been returned as yet,” said Superintendent Dennis Corcoran, who heads the State Asset Recovery Unit.

The vehicles include Landcruisers, Fords, Mazdas and Pajeros, he said, but not the luxury marques, which have been tracked down and recovered.

“All 40 of the Maseratis and the three Bentleys are in top condition and locked away in the old wharf shed down on the main wharf,” Corcoran said in a telephone call from Port Moresby.

He said police knew that nine cars were stolen, parts had gone missing and some of the returned cars were “pretty seriously damaged”.

The South Pacific archipelago of 7.3 million people pulled out all the stops at the APEC summit, hoping to put itself on the world map and lure investment. Aid money poured in from China and Australia to prepare for the event.

But it was the images of the Maseratis being unloaded at the airport, even as the government grappled with a polio outbreak, that proved a lightning rod for public anger.

Government spokesman Chris Hawkins said a global event had to be hosted properly, and added that many of the vehicles not yet returned were either in government lots or being used by paramedics, firefighters and other public servants.

Police believe six of the nine stolen cars are still around Port Moresby, while three have found their way to Mount Hagen, in the country’s rugged highlands. Corcoran was confident of finding them because he has a master list of who signed them out.

“Basically, I know where all 284 vehicles that I’ve got to collect are,” he said.

SOURCE: AFP/REUTERS/PACNEWS

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) says MPs should not have direct control over funds for their constituencies.

Solomon Islanders go to the polls on the third of April and campaigning around the country has begun in earnest.

The watchdog's chief executive Ruth Liloqula said many voters in Solomon Islands think change will come from electing new leaders.

But she said true change can only happen if the power over Rural Constituency Development Funds or RCDFs is removed from the “clutch” of parliamentarians.

“The election is not about choosing new leaders that will lead the country in the next four years but it is all about RCDF. Where they could benefit most and those who have not benefited are using this coming election like to at least make some money.

“Even if they don't make any money in the next four years out of the RCDFs.”

Transparency Solomon Islands' Ruth Liloqula said people need to speak up about corruption as voting in a new representative is no guarantee things will change.

“Regardless of whether you vote in the former member of parliament or new member of parliament, until such time as people stand up and speak that this is not right and demand accountability nothing much will change for us,” she said.

Meanwhile, Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) National Criminal Investigation Division(NCID) have arrested a man on Tuesda for allegations instituted under the Electoral Act.

Police made the arrest after receiving referrals from the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) revealing details of a 50-year-old man from Malaita Province registered to vote on seven separate occasions, using different names, dates of birth and other details on each occasion. Only one of the seven registrations allegedly included his correct details.

The man is charged with seven counts of Misleading Information under section 113 (2) of the Electoral Act which carries a maximum penalty of $50,000.00 (US$6,252) or five years imprisonment or both. He is expected to appear in court today.

Supervising Commissioner of Police Gabriel Manelusi says, “The arrest is made possible following the joint effort of RSIPF and the SIEC in ensuring that all facet of the election process operate lawfully, fairly and safely.”

“A task force has been created within the NCID to investigate the SIEC referral cases.I also want to remind the general public that this type of behaviour is not acceptable in our society. Police will ensure that people whom are implicated in these practises will have to face the consequences according to our laws. The RSIPF and its NCID task-force will continue to work closely with SIEC to investigate and apprehend anybody trying to influence the National General Election.

The Chief Electoral Officer Moses Saitala states, “The SIEC has implemented some strong effective business processes to protect the integrity of the National General Election. This includes the new election process we adopted in September 2018 where we captured voter registration applicants’ photographs, fingerprints and other information. This allows us to detect instances where persons unlawfully register at multiple occasions.”

The RSIPF investigation into the national general election multi registration cases is ongoing.

SOURCE: SOLOMON STAR/ONEPNG

Solomon Islands Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Mose Saitala appeals to all citizens of this nation not to take the law into your own hands.

Saitala issued the appeal in response to a group of voters in Ward 17 in East Kwaio Constituency, Malaita Province for making their stand not to vote unless they are paid with cash.

The group’s spokesman and Chief Jack Gege said they came up with the decision to trade their votes for cash after missing out from constituency projects over the past years.

“We will only cast our ballot papers if any intending candidate gives us cash money.

“We are firm with our decision because we have not benefited from any government or constituency project for the last 10-15 years,” Chief Gege said as reported in this paper early this week.

But Saitala told this paper that he feels for citizens feeling this way and want to avenge their anger against candidates for their performances in the past demanding that they be paid for their votes this time.

“My only plea to our good citizens is please don’t take the law into your own hands,” Saitala told the Solomon Star.

He further stated that the very act of demanding a benefit in exchange for your vote is a blatant exhibition of the act of election bribery.

“And that carries maximum penalty of $150,000 (US$18,763) or 15 years imprisonment or both,” Saitala added.

He said some good citizens of this country might not necessarily know about this offence in the Electoral Act, and they need to know.

“Otherwise it is not wise to openly defy a lawfully prohibited act by an Act of Parliament. We have to somewhat protect our sovereignty vested in the institution of Parliament.

“It is a sacrosanct institution that is supposed to hold Solomon Islands together as one country irrespective of its diversity,” he further added.

Saitala said it is Members of Parliament that our citizens are not happy with not parliament per se.

“It’s important therefore that we vote in the right people, not candidates who can pay for our votes,” Saitala told this paper.

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