Pacific News In Brief For 15 May
Article – RNZ
A round-up of news from around the region, including new dengue cases reported in Tonga.
Tonga – dengue
Tonga's Health Ministry says dengue cases have reached almost 700 in the latest reporting period.
In an update on Monday, it said the cumulative total was 697, with 331 of these from Tongatapu, 305 from Vava'u and 59 from 'Eua.
Ten cases were in hospital.
The ministry said the death toll from the dengue outbreak remains at three.
West Papua – human rights
An Australian solidarity group for West Papuan self-determination has called on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to raise the human rights crisis in the Melanesian region with the Indonesian president this week.
Albanese is visiting Indonesia for two days this week.
Asia Pacific Report said the group has written a letter to Albanese appealing for him to raise the issue with President Prabowo Subianto.
Spokesperson Joe Collins said the letter asks Australia's leader to encourage the Indonesian government to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua to investigate the human rights situation in the territory.
Papua New Guinea – manufacturing
A leading Sri Lankan food and beverage manufacturer wants to build a joint-venture coconut processing plant in Madang Province in Papua New Guinea.
Sri Lanka's Jaindi Export met with Trade Minister Richard Maru this week.
NBC reported that Jaindi Export operates two processing facilities in Sri Lanka and exports products like coconut cream, milk, oil, sugar, butter, and whipping cream around the world.
Minister Maru said his government is working with Madang Provincial Government to get a partnership off the ground.
A plant that can process up to 100,000 coconuts a day is being discussed.
Solomon Islands – telecommunications
A Solomon Islands-Australia Partnership with Our Telekom has delivered six towers to remote areas around the Pacific island country.
One tower is in Vadede, which was previously one of the most hard-to-reach areas in Choiseul.
The Australian High Commission, which funded the project, said local nurses report they have begun coordinating with other clinics to provide a faster response in times of medical emergencies.
New Zealand – abuse
A Pasifika state abuse survivor says he no longer believes the historic Royal Commission will produce justice.
Last Friday, the government announced next week's budget will 'invest' NZ$774 million into the existing redress system for survivors of abuse in state care.
This is instead of introducing a new independent redress system, as recommended in the final report by the Royal Commission of Inquiry, and undertaken by the Prime Minister.
Criticism of the government's u-turn came from a number of survivors, as well as from the Opposition.
David Williams said the survivor community is outraged.
'For me this whole thing, even the Royal Commission, they paid out hundreds of millions of dollars and a lot of survivors are asking, what for? We've told our truths.
'It is really shocking; it is so disappointing. There is not any words to describe what this National Government is doing.'
Pacific – disaster
Defence personnel from across the Pacific have emerged from New Caledonia better prepared for a tropical cyclone.
More than 2000 personnel from 18 nations came together for Exercise Croiz Du Sud.
Held every two years, Pacific nations participate in a disaster relief scenario, with developed nations like New Zealand supporting their developing counterparts.
The NZ Defence Force said the exercise was a chance to ensure they are ready to respond when the time comes.
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