Justice after Rabaul Queen disaster

Since the Rabaul Queen disaster, police in Port Moresby have finally arrested the owner and managing director of Rabaul Shipping, Peter Sharp. Mr Sharp is facing more than 160 counts of manslaughter. Since then, further arrests have been made in Kimbe, while more could be made in Madang and Lae. Those arrested include senior public servants who are thought to be responsible for allowing the ship to continue operation, knowing the ferry was unseaworthy. The boat sank in February 2012, causing the death of 162 people.

This article was written by

Kiery Manassah

Kiery Manassah is a journalist and holds a Master of Communication for Social Change from the University of Queensland. He is a former editor of the Vanuatu Daily Post and has worked at the Pacific Institute of Public Policy. Most recently he held the position of Public Relations Officer for the government led by Joe Natuman.

A deeper look at the Vanuatu election

On 22 January 2016 the people of Vanuatu went to the polls to elect the eleventh and most diverse national Parliament. In this post we look more closely at the results, which reveals democracy in Vanuatu is seemingly delivering a kind of micro federalisation. While this is reflective of the reality on the ground, it does not bode well for nation building, and presents a significant challenge for political parties to consolidate or grow their share of the popular vote.
YOUR SAY: The new Global Goals

This short survey, undertaken in partnership with RMIT University, explains the new ‎Global Goals and gives people across the Pacific the chance to rate their relevance and help track progress. The more we know about the goals, the more we can hold our leaders to account to implement them.
Coalition builder

Frustrated with the status quo? Think you can do better? Have you always wanted to build your own parliamentary coalition government? Now you can with our new coalition builder web app!

PATRIOT GAMES

DP21 – Around the Pacific new superpower alliances, new fault-lines and new opportunities are opening up after decades of neglect. But Pacific voices need to be heard too.
REGIONAL MIGRATION

DP13 – An abridged version of the ‘Resources, population and migration in the Pacific: Connecting islands and rim’ report, arguing for greater opportunities for Pacific migration internally and to Pacific rim nations.
BETTER TRADE FOR THE PACIFIC

DP05 – An update on emerging trade agreements being negotiated by Pacific Island countries and the pressures they face.