Latest news with #Manele
Scoop
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 16 May
Article – RNZ A round-up of news from around the region, including the Solomon Islands prime minister's call for reforms to the process surrounding motions of no confidence. Solomon Islands – motions Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has suggested changes to how motions of no confidence in the country are moved. Manele said there must be a balance between the right to move a motion of no-confidence, and protecting parliamentary processes from being abused. Two motions of no confidence against his Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) have been moved within a year in office, but ultimately withdrawn. SIBC reported Manele told parliament on Monday he will bring a paper to Cabinet to appoint a task force to do these reforms. Palau – ocean Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr has signed an executive order creating a working group to better protect Palau's ocean. He has called it a 'whole government approach in securing Palau's waters.' The Island Times reported the Coordinated Maritime Management Working Group brings together top officials from government agencies to respond more quickly and effectively to ocean-related threats. These include illegal fishing, safety emergencies, or foreign intrusions in Palau's Exclusive Economic Zone. The working group will be led jointly by the Bureau of Public Safety and the Bureau of Marine Transportation. Under the order, the group will meet monthly at the Joint Operations Center to review incidents at sea – such as search and rescue operations or encounters with suspicious vessels – and will also develop procedures, run annual training exercises, and work with foreign partners and the private sector. Cook Islands – culture Cook Islands traditional leaders want cultural knowledge to be integrated into the teaching curriculum. The House of Ariki has developed an education manifesto at a four-day workshop alongside the education ministry of and Conservation International. It sets out recommendations for education to be built on indigenous knowledge. Conservation International spokesperson Schannel van Dijken said that many countries in the region have not been teaching their own history and culture. 'Some of the core recommendations from that coming out, that's articulated in that document, is making Cook Islands Māori language instruction compulsory from preschool through to secondary levels; integrating traditional knowledge and cultural practices throughout the curriculum.' Australia/Pacific – relations Pat Conroy has retained his position in Cabinet following Tuesday's ministerial changes announced by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Conroy will continue as Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs. In a statement, he said he will continue to build positive relations with the Pacific family as part of the Albanese Government's commitment to supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous future for Australia and our region. Conroy said defence spending under the Albanese government had reached record levels, and he would continue to focus on strengthening the Australian Defence Force and local defence manufacturing.
Scoop
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 16 May
Solomon Islands - motions Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has suggested changes to how motions of no confidence in the country are moved. Manele said there must be a balance between the right to move a motion of no-confidence, and protecting parliamentary processes from being abused. Two motions of no confidence against his Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) have been moved within a year in office, but ultimately withdrawn. SIBC reported Manele told parliament on Monday he will bring a paper to Cabinet to appoint a task force to do these reforms. Palau - ocean Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr has signed an executive order creating a working group to better protect Palau's ocean. He has called it a "whole government approach in securing Palau's waters." The Island Times reported the Coordinated Maritime Management Working Group brings together top officials from government agencies to respond more quickly and effectively to ocean-related threats. These include illegal fishing, safety emergencies, or foreign intrusions in Palau's Exclusive Economic Zone. The working group will be led jointly by the Bureau of Public Safety and the Bureau of Marine Transportation. Under the order, the group will meet monthly at the Joint Operations Center to review incidents at sea - such as search and rescue operations or encounters with suspicious vessels - and will also develop procedures, run annual training exercises, and work with foreign partners and the private sector. Cook Islands - culture Cook Islands traditional leaders want cultural knowledge to be integrated into the teaching curriculum. The House of Ariki has developed an education manifesto at a four-day workshop alongside the education ministry of and Conservation International. It sets out recommendations for education to be built on indigenous knowledge. Conservation International spokesperson Schannel van Dijken said that many countries in the region have not been teaching their own history and culture. "Some of the core recommendations from that coming out, that's articulated in that document, is making Cook Islands Māori language instruction compulsory from preschool through to secondary levels; integrating traditional knowledge and cultural practices throughout the curriculum." Australia/Pacific - relations Pat Conroy has retained his position in Cabinet following Tuesday's ministerial changes announced by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Conroy will continue as Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs. In a statement, he said he will continue to build positive relations with the Pacific family as part of the Albanese Government's commitment to supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous future for Australia and our region. Conroy said defence spending under the Albanese government had reached record levels, and he would continue to focus on strengthening the Australian Defence Force and local defence manufacturing.
Perth Now
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Manele boosted as Solomons no-confidence motion delayed
The Solomon Islands parliament has delayed consideration of a no-confidence vote in Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, who now holds renewed hope of retaining the position. A walk-out by key government members including Manasseh Sogavare last week imperilled Mr Manele's tenure, a year into taking the job. The four-time prime minister claimed a new grouping, including key opposition figures Matthew Wale, Gordon Darcy Lilo and Peter Kenilorea Jr, held a slender majority in the 50-seat parliament. Mr Lilo tabled the no-confidence motion last week with the intent of it being discussed on Tuesday, and winning the vote to allow them to form a new government. However, on Tuesday morning, parliament released an order paper without the motion on the agenda, suggesting it had been pulled. Debate was due to begin at 10am local (9am AEST), but Speaker Patteson Oti convened the house around 90 minutes late to briefly state that ongoing discussions meant deliberations would not begin until the afternoon. "Parliament has yet to put forward a position. Because of its non-appearance on the order paper. I will suspend parliament until two o'clock," he said. One explanation for the last-minute switch could be a change of heart by key MPs. On Monday, Mr Manele released a photo alongside with 27 other MPs, suggesting he had coaxed a pair of MPs back into the government tent, and he would defeat a no-confidence motion. "Members of the (government) coalition convened this afternoon in a caucus meeting at cabinet," Mr Manele said, as reported by In-depth Solomons. "They reaffirmed their unity and preparedness to face tomorrow's vote." One pictured was Claudius Tei'ifi, a Malaita-based MP who cited concerns over the slow pace of work on an Australia-backed tuna plant in his constituency when he left the government. The political instability has led to schools in Honiara being allowed to close for the day. Previous no-confidence motions and political ructions have brought riots or demonstrations in the capital Honaira, though police figures have suggested the chances of unrest is low. Senator Penny Wong, Australia's foreign minister, deferred when she was asked whether she was concerned about the stand-off. "These are matters for the people and the parliament of the Solomon Islands. It's a sovereign country," she told ABC Radio National.
RNZ News
05-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Schools allowed to close as no-confidence vote looms in Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands Parliament complex. Photo: Facebook / National Parliament of Solomon Islands Schools in Honiara, Solomon Islands, have been permitted to close on Tuesday as the nation's parliament is set to resume for a motion of no confidence against the prime minister . SIBC reported the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development made the decision following requests from Honiara-based education provider officers. Education permanent secretary Dr Franco Rodie said such situations as the current political one are unpredictable, so it is safer for students to remain at home. "We are giving education providers the final decision, so it looks like all the schools within Honiara will be closed." Parliament is set to resume at 9:30am local time (10:30am New Zealand time). On Monday last week, parliament adjourned due to a lack of quorum after only sixteen out of 49 MPs were present in the House. Later that day, clerk of parliament Jefferson Hallu confirmed that Central Honiara MP Gordon Darcy Lilo submitted no-confidence a motion against the prime minister. On Tuesday, Speaker Sir Patterson Oti informed parliament that a special motion of adjournment had to be moved, as under standing orders the motion of no confidence is a matter of public urgency. Opposition leader Matthew Wale said Manele should step down immediately instead of dealing with the motion. However, Sir Patterson said, "The Prime Minister is still prime minister until he is out of the office." Manele appealed for calm and urged people to respect the democratic process, and confirmed he would not step down before the date for the vote of no confidence. Ten MPs - including five senior ministers - have resigned from Manele's Government of National Unity (GNUT). Manele, 57, is a former foreign minister and was elected prime minister on 2 May 2024, succeeding Manasseh Sogavare. The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force said it is closely monitoring the political situation. Lilo also moved a no-confidence vote in the prime minister last December, but withdrew it on the floor of parliament due to a lack of support .
Perth Now
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Solomons parliament to vote on PM no confidence motion
Just a year after being sworn in as Solomon Islands prime minister, Jeremiah Manele may be swept from office by a new "grasshopper" coalition. The shifting sands of politics in the Melanesian nation appear to be giving way under Mr Manele, who will face a no-confidence motion when parliament resumes on Tuesday. Mr Manele succeeded Manasseh Sogavare as prime minister following an April 2024 election, with Mr Sogavare becoming finance minister in a three-party coalition following government formation talks. A year on, Mr Sogavare led a walkout of almost half the cabinet and other government MPs last week, citing instability and weak leadership. The wily 70-year-old has since formed a new grouping including Opposition Leader Matthew Wale, which claims a parliamentary majority and intends to vote Mr Manele out. Pacific analyst Richard Herr said frenzied negotiations between MPs would be taking place ahead of Tuesday's vote. "Everyone seems to be holding their breath ... anything could happen," he told AAP. Central to the uncertainty is whether the grouping can unite behind a new choice for prime minister. It is unclear whether Mr Wale, Mr Sogavare or another option will emerge as leader and presumptive prime minister in waiting. The no-confidence motion has been moved by Central Honiara MP Gordon Darcy Lilo, another ex-prime minister. Dr Herr said the new grouping also had both pro-China MPs, such as Mr Sogavare, and those who weren't supportive of the 2019 diplomatic switch from recognising Taiwan to Beijing, such as Peter Kenilorea Jr. A lack of agreed leadership or positioning would leave a new coalition open to the same sort of collapse Mr Manele's government has suffered in the last week. "It doesn't seem on the face of it a particularly solid coalition," Dr Herr said. Mr Sogavare denies seeking the prime ministership but said he would take it if offered. Bradley Tovosia, who was Mr Manele's deputy PM before resigning last week, said Mr Sogavare was the instigator of the crisis, saying he "wasn't a happy man" after missing out on the prime ministership. Should Mr Sogavare return, it would be a fifth stint as the country's leader at age 70. In the mean time, Mr Manele has gotten on with the job, swearing in new ministers, and insisting his government for national unity and transformation (GNUT) coalition can survive. "The resignation of senior ministers is a blessing in disguise," he told local journalists at a press conference on Friday. "It is the dawn of a new era to usher in fresh, young and energetic leaders who are willing to take up the challenge to lead our people and country. GNUT door is open." In parliament last week, both Mr Wale and Mr Manele called for calm among Solomon Islanders amid the political crisis, given previous impasses have led to unrest. Local newspaper Island Sun reports the police have indicated a low chance of security issues. "Despite this motion, there is no potential threat coming or being picked up by our intelligence ... I would like to thank the people," Royal Solomon Islands Police Force commissioner Mostyn Mangau said.
