Pacific Institute of Public Policy

3 November, 2015

New law on the informal economy could be a game changer for PNG (Part one)

In the first of a two-part blog, Busa Jeremiah Wenogo analyses the review of the Informal Sector Development & Control Act 2004, providing insight into how PNG is undertaking reform of its informal economy. Documenting PNG’s case will hopefully provide policy makers in other parts of the Pacific with ideas on how to best grow their informal sectors.

27 October, 2015

Tutii Chilton

A Letter to the UN Secretary-General

Now that the UN has launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Tutti Chilton in Palau calls in this open letter for something of an energy revolution to focus on cheaper energy options for island states.

Scandal forces Vanuatu to address inadequacies of political system

20 October, 2015

Derek Brien

Scandal forces Vanuatu to address inadequacies of political system

Last week, when Vanuatu's president, Baldwin Lonsdale, was out of the country, the speaker of Parliament pardoned himself and 13 lawmakers for allegedly accepting bribes to vote down the previous government. On Friday, 11 of the 14 pardoned parliamentarians were arrested. In an email interview with World Politics Review, Derek Brien discusses the causes of political instability and corruption in Vanuatu.

14 October, 2015

Sam Koim

When does corruption become a regional issue?

Sam Koim poses a valid question in light of the growing incidence of corruption and the erosion of rule of law in our region. Australia and New Zealand have a vested interest in the answer as well.

Charting a new course – the new Global Goals

28 September, 2015

Derek Brien

Charting a new course – the new Global Goals

World leaders have approved a new set of Global Goals to end poverty, fix climate change and put us on the path towards sustainable development. Will they? Derek Brien says we should be proud of how Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste helped shape the new global agenda. But the hard part is ahead of us - implementation. And again we will need to take the lead or others will determine our fate for us.

By-elections, dynasty politics and saving costs

24 September, 2015

Kiery Manassah

By-elections, dynasty politics and saving costs

As Port Vila gears up for a by-election following the death of Edward Natapei, Kiery Manassah reflects on an increasingly common trend of dynasty politics in Vanuatu where leadership is often passed on to a next of kin, arguing the pattern could snuffle life out of democracy.