POLITICS

Pacific leaders at UN General Assembly

In the first meeting of its kind, United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon met Pacific Island Forum leaders on the sidelines of the 67th UN General Assembly in New York. Mr Ban emphasised the importance of Pacific island countries’ continued leadership and active engagement in addressing global challenges.

In speeches to the General Assembly, Pacific island leaders were critical of the international community, imploring richer countries to do more to address climate change issues and increase assistance to Pacific island countries. New Zealand foreign minister Murray McCully echoed calls for greater support to the region, particularly in relation to the management of fishing resources and development of renewable energy.

On the sidelines of the general assembly Fiji effected a significant diplomatic coup with its election as chair of the influential Group of 77, the first time a Pacific island nation has been elected to that position. (more…)

Condolences on the passing of Fr. John Lamani, founder and publisher of the Solomon Star daily newspaper.

POLITICS

On the eve of PNG’s 37^th anniversary of independence, PM Peter O’Neill announced a broad range of legislative reforms, including reviewing the constitutional provisions governing the election of the prime minister and term of government. With over 100 election petitions, it is notable that O’Neill also plans to repeal the controversial Judicial Conduct Act that was enacted during his political standoff with Sir Michael Somare, and effectively gave the government the power to suspend senior judges.

Also in PNG, the Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Rabaul Queen released its report, concluding that the vessel should never have departed on its fatal final voyage. The report was highly critical of the National Maritime Safety Authority, and deputy PM Leo Dion accepted the commission’s 34 recommendations to improve safety at sea.

PM Peter O’Neill was in Vladivostok for the APEC summit and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia is keen to strengthen the bilateral relationship as it seeks to extend its sphere of influence in the Pacific. A Papua New Guinea delegation also visited China last week to strengthen cooperation and acquire a loan from the Export-Import Bank of China to finance the rehabilitation of the Highlands Highway.

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FORUM WRAP

Commentators continue to question the relevance of the Pacific Islands Forum in a shifting geopolitical landscape and in light of a critical independent review. This year’s event in Rarotonga demonstrated that the Forum remains a valuable meeting place, albeit one with an increasing focus on bilateral side discussions and the international Post Forum Dialogue held after the main event. The review, which was commissioned by leaders at the 2011 meeting, identified a number of organisational and management reforms necessary to tackle the challenges that the Forum Secretariat faces servicing its members. The primary concerns relate to the lack of ownership by island states and their engagement with the secretariat. Leaders did not tackle some of the tough decisions that need to be made, instead deferring action pending another review of the Pacific Plan, which is to be led by Sir Mekere Morauta of Papua New Guinea. (more…)

by the Pacific Institute of Public Policy and the Development Policy Centre

Politics

Clinton to attend Pacific Forum

Hilary Clinton will be the first Secretary of State to attend a Pacific Island Forum meeting. It is intended to signal the US is serious about increasing its engagement with the Pacific, and motivated by a desire to counter China’s growing influence in the region. Behind the scenes the visit is also believed to be aimed at giving the Forum a prod towards more effective engagement with its island stakeholders, as leaders consider a range of measures to reform the secretariat following criticisms raised in an independent review that is widely circulating but not yet officially released. Forum leaders are also expected to announce a significant new regional gender initiative. Fiji, which remains suspended from the Forum, will again host it’s rival pre-Forum Engaging With The Pacific meeting and has invited leaders from the Pacific and internationally to attend.

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by the Pacific Institute of Public Policy and the Development Policy Centre

Politics

Diplomatic relations restored with Fiji

Further to a meeting between Australia, Fiji and New Zealand, the foreign ministers of each country announced the restoration of full diplomatic relations, including exchange of high commissioners and some relaxation of travel bans.

Former Fiji PM Laisenia Qarase was convicted on corruption charges and has been sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. The conviction is likely to mean that Qarase is unable to run for office in the 2014 elections. Yet to face court is ex-PM Mahendra Chaudry, the corruption charges against whom have been reduced by the High Court.

Peter O’Neill returned as PM

The 9^th Parliament of PNG met despite not all writs having been returned and an attempt to challenge the constitutionality of its sitting by Belden Namah.  Peter O’Neill was returned as PM with 94 votes. Although O’Neill has yet to announce the full details of his ministry, early indications are that Don Polye, Patrick Pruaitch and William Duma will be key players. (more…)

A roundup of development policy issues in the Pacific by the Pacific Institute of Public Policy and the Development Policy Centre.

Political roundup

Electoral issues around the region continue to surface following a brief return to violence in Timor Leste after the Fretilin party was excluded from the new government. Votes are still being counted in PNG. In an upset Arthur Somare lost his seat. Two women have so far been confirmed to have won seats, as have incumbent Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and his rival Sir Michael Somare. O’Neill is firming as the favourite to form government, and in a surprise move is understood to be in discussions with Somare about forming a coalition. Sir Michael had recently threatened to jail O’Neill if he gets back into power. Outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah is ahead in the count in his electorate and is expected to lead a rival bloc to challenge the O’Neill led group. The full results of the election aren’t expected until next week, and there will be a further period of intense coalition negotiations before parliament sits to vote in a new prime minister. (more…)

A roundup of development policy issues in the Pacific by the Pacific Institute of Public Policy and the Development Policy Centre.

Vote counting underway in Timor Leste …

TIMOR LESTE went to the polls on 7 July in an election the UN reports as being peaceful and well-run. Provisional results suggest the National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT), the party of caretaker prime minister, Xanana Gusmao, will hold 31 of the 65 seats in the new parliament, two short of the majority required to govern alone. The opposition Fretilin Party is on track to secure 20 seats. In third place, the Democratic Party appears to have won 10 per cent of the vote, and with it a key position in forming a coalition government. There is talk of a grand coalition involving all three major parties.

Most of the 21 parties contesting the election failed to win the three per cent of votes required to gain a seat, which is being hailed as a welcome consolidation of East Timor’s political system. Official results are expected on 17 July, and a new administration to be formed by 8 August. (more…)

A roundup of development policy issues in the Pacific by the Pacific Institute of Public Policy and the Development Policy Centre.

Our thoughts are with all those affected by recent disasters at sea in Australia, Tonga and Vanuatu

PNG elections … stage one

Voting commenced in Papua New Guinea on 23^rd June. The elections are expected to provide something of a circuit breaker to the recent political turmoil. Voting will last for approximately two weeks and it will be several more weeks before a new government is formed.

Election logistics in PNG are extremely challenging, with around 4,000 polling booths required across 22 provinces. Numerous locations are inaccessible other than by air or sea.  Australia and New Zealand have provided logistical and security support in the form of troops, transport planes and helicopters.  (more…)

A roundup of development policy issues in the Pacific by the Pacific Institute of Public Policy and the Development Policy Centre.

Regional geopolitics intensifying

ANNOUNCEMENTS by the US Secretary of Defence that the navy will soon have 60 per cent of its fleet in the Pacific have underscored intensifying regional geopolitics. China has called the move ‘untimely’ and asked the US to respect its interests in the region too. Adding his voice, Samoa’s Prime Minister said that China was a better friend to many Pacific states than the US.

Even North Korea is courting the Pacific, following a visit by diplomats to Fiji last week. In the same week the Fiji military government reinforced its relationship with Georgia. (more…)

A roundup of development policy issues in the Pacific by the Pacific Institute of Public Policy and the Development Policy Centre.

Countdown to PNG election mired in more constitutional drama

Parliament was dissolved on 16 May and writs issued for a general election to be held on 23 June, leading to hopes of a resolution following months of political and legal wrangling. Within days yet more turmoil ensued as the Supreme Court handed down a controversial judgment reinstating Sir Michael Somare as (caretaker) prime minister.

The chief justice was subsequently arrested on sedition charges by police, as led by Belden Namah, the deputy prime minister. After a tense couple of days, parliament was reconvened and voted unanimously to reject the Supreme Court’s ruling and declare a state of emergency in three provinces. (more…)