Pacific News In Brief For 25 April
Article – RNZ
A round-up of Pacific news for 25 April, including the process for Local Level Government elections in Papua New Guinea officially starting.
Papua New Guinea – election
The writs for the Local Level Government elections in Papua New Guinea have been signed by the Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, Soroei Eoe, on Thursday, marking the beginning of the election process.
Nomination are now open as people prepare to contest for 374 local level government (LLG) spots, and 6,916 wards across PNG.
In the seven Highlands provinces, along with Morobe, the LLG presidents will be chosen indirectly by ward councillors.
But in the other provinces voters will elect both the ward councillors and LLG presidents.
This marks the first time the Electoral Commission will implement both voting methods simultaneously.
Samoa – shooting
A man has admitted fatally shooting a 12-year-old in his sleeping net, when he appeared in the Supreme Court in Samoa.
The Samoa Observer reported the 27-year-old from the Salelavalu in Savai'i could face a minimum of 17 years in jail.
The newspaper said the defendant became angry after the boy reported an extramarital affair the man had with the youth's sister.
The accused has been remanded in custody for sentencing.
Pacific – climate
A high-level Pacific Islands Forum delegation has met with US officials.
The chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and Prime Minister of Tonga, 'Aisake Eke, and the Forum's Secretary-General, Baron Waqa, are in the US as part of efforts to secure funding for the Pacific Resilience Facility.
The facility is a Pacific-based climate fund for community resilience building.
A meeting with the US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz focused on strengthening engagement between the PIF and the US.
The Forum delegation also met with the US Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau.
The United States has been a Forum dialogue partner since 1989.
Papua New Guinea – justice
Inmates in Papua New Guinea, who are in jail while awaiting court appearances, have appealed to the prime minister to consider releasing them as part of the country's anniversary celebrations.
PNG is celebrating 50 years of independence this year.
The Post-Courier reported their call was relayed to PM James Marape on Easter Monday by Acting Commissioner of Correctional Services, Bernard Nepo.
He said a lot of prisoners have been in the prison system for between 5-10 years 'without having justice served on them'.
Nepo said this group of inmates and others who qualify needed to be released on parole during the country's golden jubilee.
Marape said he does not have that authority but justice services will look into this process.
Fiji – economy
The Fiji government has achieved a fiscal surplus for the first quarter of the 2024-25 financial year, marking the first surplus since late 2019.
This is stated by Westpac in its latest quarterly update on the Fijian economy, published on Tuesday.
Westpac said that positive outcomes were driven by higher tax collections and effective compliance measures, resulting in government revenue exceeding forecasts, while expenditures lagged behind.
However, they also expected Fiji's economy to grow by 2.7 percent in 2025, lower than an earlier projection of 3.4 percent.
They noted that tourism arrival numbers are down compared to where they would normally be.
Westpac stated the downturn in visitor arrivals during the first quarter of 2025 raises concerns about the domestic economic outlook, compounded by global uncertainty.
Pacific – police
New Zealand's Police Commissioner Richard Chambers is travelling to Fiji and Samoa next week.
PMN reported Mr Chambers plans to meet with police leaders and teams in Fiji and Samoa.
Chambers said New Zealand Police is dedicated to being easy to work with and offering support, especially during challenging times.
He leaves for Fiji on 28 April.
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