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Customary lands alienation claims “fake news,” Samoa PM

January 11, 2019, 3:59 am
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Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr Sa’ilele Malielegaoi has dismissed claims about the alienation of customary lands through an Asian Development Bank-funded project as “fake news.”

He said the “fuss” and fear-mongering tactics are being promoted by one or two “small lawyers” who do not want to understand the Government’s work to promote the economic use of customary lands.

He also defended the work of the ADB in Samoa, praising the bank’s “tremendous” contribution to the development of the country, through the improvement of drinking water, sanitation, renewable energy, internet connectivity and more.

“We have explained time and time again that ever since we passed our Constitution, and particularly article 102, no customary land has ever been sold,” Tuilaepa said during a joint press conference with the President of A.D.B., Takehiko Nakao., who left the country after a three-day visit.

Article 102 of the Constitution states that there shall be “no alienation of customary land,” due to it being illegal to sell or mortgaged. Tuilaepa said the Office of the Attorney General has explained this article to members of the public frequently.

“And the Attorney General, with 50 lawyers supporting him, is the only legal office that is recognised in the Constitution to advise the Government,” Tuilaepa said.

“So with so many Samoan chiefs, educated lawyers supported by the Office of the Commission of Law Reforms, and one or two lawyers kicking up this fuss over the dangers we are facing over our customary land, this is all fake news.”

President Nakao said the bank would support the Government on the issues of customary land. Since 2014, ADB has been carrying out a project called “Promoting Economic Use of Customary Land” with the Government.

But a group of matai, led by Fiu Mataese Elisara, has lodged an official complaint that the process was carried out without due consultation with local people. They expressed fears that the project runs the risk of alienating them from their customary lands.

The ADB Compliance Review Panel found evidence, which backed the group’s complaint. As of today, the process is continuing.

In the meantime, President Nakao said the intention of the project is simply to make better use of customary land.

“In many countries, land is the most important property for people and customary land is a long tradition,” he said. 

“There is no such idea to damage the use of customary land or to impede ownership of customary land over tradition, but how to use land better and how to have a better registration system so there will be less dispute over land boundaries, that is our purpose, said the ADB President.

SOURCE: SAMOA OBSERVER/PACNEWS

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Solomon Islands Police arrest three juveniles for alleged rape of young girl

January 11, 2019, 4:30 am
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Solomon Islands Police in Central Province (CP) arrest three male juveniles recently for alleged rape of a 13-year-old female person at Ghole Village on Small Ngella Island, Central Province.

The three suspects’ ages ranges from 13 -14 years after police obtain their details.

It is alleged the incident of rape took place last month (December 2018) during recent festive seasons. And it is further alleged the three suspects allegedly pulled the victim from the back and closed her mouth, and they have allegedly dragged her into a room of a rest house located in that Village, Aghole. That, the victim has been sheltering from the rain before the suspects attack her.

It is further alleged the victim at the time tries to shout and even struggle to escape but the suspects over powered her.

Acting Provincial Police Commander (PPC) for Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) officers in Central Province, Inspector Hugo Maelasi says, “My officers have escorted three suspects from Small Ngella Island following an operation on Tuesday 7 January 2019 for questioning them in relation to an alleged rape of a 13-year-old female person at Ghole Village last month during the festive season.”

He adds: “The three suspects are juveniles that their ages ranges from 13 – 14 years but have been alleged to commit a very serious crime. That, they are under arrest today, 10 January 2019 after my investigators establish their alleged involvement to allegedly raping the 13-year-old girl. This is a sad story to learn, that all three suspects have allegedly raped the poor girl. And that as a parent myself and police officer, I must condemn such act against the young girl’s will in the strongest term.”

“The investigation into this alleged rape of the young girl has been possible with the help of the community members and crime prevention committee on Small Ngella Island, and I would like to thank them for their support to my officers,” says Acting PPC Maelasi.

Inspector Maelasi appeals to his good people in Central Province to have respect for one another. He also appeals to parents of children in that province to take extra responsibility to teach young people to stay away from such criminal activity.

The three suspect will be transported to Honiara soon for a remand application on charges of rape pursuant to section 136F of the Penal Code (Amended Sexual Offences) Act 2016.

Rape is a serious offence that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if the suspects found guilty by the court.

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Solomon Islands Police arrest 50-year-old man for case of rape in 2018 at GPPOL-One

January 11, 2019, 4:32 am
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Police in Guadalcanal Province arrested a 50-year-old male on 7 January 2019 for rape allegation.

The arrest came about after police learned the man was in Honiara since Christmas and New Year 2019 festivity.

It was alleged the suspect allegedly raped a 13-year-old female person on unknown date of the month of October in 2018 at Papangu Village in the Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited (GPPOL) one area.

“It was further alleged the suspect was married to the victim’s aunt, and that the suspect allegedly dragged the victim who was at a betel Nut stall selling betel-nut at the time, into a nearby bush and forcefully had sex with her,” said Supervising Commissioner Juanita Matanga of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) when she addressed local media representatives at Rove Police Headquarters.

She said, “The arrest of the man was an achievement for investigators from RSIPF officers in Guadalcanal Province, and at the same time demonstrated capability and dedication of the RSIPF to detect reported cases of crime, no matter how long it takes.”

“I appeal to any female person in the country who is a victim of any alleged sexually harassment incident to come forward and report to police. We must work together to get rid of any forms of sexual harassment in our society,” said Supervising Commissioner
Matanga.

She said that sexual harassment is a disease of the mind of a person, which drives a person to inflict unwanted sexual behavior to another person, that such act is against our Christian and cultural values, so is a crime in law.

The suspect was taken to the Honiara Central Magistrate Court on 9 January 2019 on a holding charge of rape, and the court remanded him in custody to appear in 14 days’ time.

RSIPF Media Release

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MPs will support Prime Minister O'Neill in Vote of No Confidences, says Maru

January 12, 2019, 3:10 am
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PNG National Planning Minister, Richard Maru says government ministers will support prime minister Peter O'Neill against the looming vote of no confidence.

Parliament will resume for the 2019 sitting in February, and the Opposition is planning to move a vote of no confidence against Mr O'Neill by then.

This would be the second attempt by the Opposition, although under a different composition, to remove the People's National Congress-led government.

The O'Neill government had defeated an initial vote of no confidence 85-votes to 21 in 2016 in its first term since assuming power in 2012.

Last year, the Opposition mooted the idea of removing the prime minister, over issues of mishandling the economy, the cost of PNG hosting the APEC and corruption allegations among others.

However, as the vote looms, Minister Maru is already predicting the outcome, saying the PNC-led government has out-performed any previous governments in PNG's history, and will remain.

"Governments before us with all the money did not invest in Papua New Guinea.

"Same people are now talking about a vote of no confidence. What happened when they had the opportunity? Did they invest? Nothing.

"The have nothing to show for.

"This government is here to stay and we will continue to support the prime minister and PNC-led government and we will be here, and we will make sure we transform this country.

"We will not be faced by anybody. No way.

"This is a government that has delivered more than any governments in five years.

"And we will continue to invest in the people of this country and create a future for them," Mr Maru said.

NBC News
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Unregistered Teachers in PNG to be put off payroll, Union sees this as illegal threat

January 12, 2019, 3:14 am
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Teachers in Papua New Guinea  will be automatically put off the payroll if they are NOT registered in the national identification project.

This was the directive from the Education Department.

A notice was issued on Tuesday (08.01.19) for all teachers to register before the end of March, or miss out on pay 6 for 2019.

However, General Secretary of the PNG Teachers Association, Ugwailbu Mowana is concerned that registering 60,000 teachers across the country may not be possible.

He's calling on the Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra and Acting Registrar General Noel Mobiha to withdraw the statements, describing it a threat to teachers.

"This is threatening.

"We are trying to implement a government decision.

"We don't threaten people to implement a government decision.

"NID registration is not about teachers in this country. Its about everybody in this country. So why threaten the teachers?

"You know what will happen around that time with this threat? When teachers resume in two weeks time, they do not fill in resumption forms, so you know what will happen around that time? They will be automatically suspended," Mr Mowana said.

The PNG Teachers Association has questioned the decision by the education department for teachers without proper identification documents to be put off the payroll.

Whilst acknowledging the National Executive Council's decision, the union says it is absurd and the union strongly opposes it.

Mr Mowana says the education department nor the Civil Registry has the power to suspend teachers, except for the Teaching Service Commission.

"As a union we support registration of teachers. This is very important.

"However we raise the question of where this notice has the basis for its legal standing?

"We recognize the power of the Teaching Service Commission in dealing with teachers.

"To put them on the payroll and to put them on the payroll, the power rests with the TSC.

"This decision to suspend teachers after 31st of March lacks legal authority," Mr Mowana said.

NBC News
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Workers in PNG to save through Tax free threshold

January 12, 2019, 3:24 am
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Papua New Guinean workers will actually be saving some money through the increases in the tax free threshold.

Commissioner of Tax at the Internal Revenue Commission, Dr Alois Daton told NBC News, contrary to the misconceptions - there are no increases in personal income tax.

"If like, K10,600.00 is your annual income, and your fortnightly income would be like K41.00, so in 2018 you would have paid K4.11 in tax. In 2019 you pay no tax.

"So in your net pay, you get a slight increase in 2019," Mr Daton said.

NBC News,
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PNG authorities to control Imported Vehicles

January 12, 2019, 3:40 am
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Papua New Guinea authorities will make a decision to control imported vehicles that will come into effect on January 29th.

PNG Road Traffic Authority Chief Executive, Nelson Terema says they are now coming up with control measures to see only quality vehicles are imported into the country by car dealers.

"Our streets are flooded with vehicle congestion.

"A lot of Papua New Guineans make big losses in importing used vehicles.

"Of course it is cheap, but after some time you will see that most of these used vehicles are no longer operating, and they don't even have parts to replace.

"Our move is to help people bring in vehicles that are of quality, value for their money, and one which will last them for long," Mr Terema said.

NBC News
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PNG Govt cautioned over imposition of Import Tariffs

January 12, 2019, 4:58 pm
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The O'Neill government has been cautioned to avoid making a hand-picked selection of individual products to grant protection to.

Director of the Papua New Guinea Institute of National Affairs, Paul Barker, made this remark in light of government announcements to increase import tariffs.

In an interview with NBC News, Mr Barker says, it might look like granting special favors to certain businesses or certain industries while others miss out.

"And there are other industries which could argue that they are also up-and-coming PNG industries (in food processing/production) and why select others and not us?

"And that's a valid argument.

"Its better that when you're applying tariff protection you try to apply it across the board and not try to be selective.

"Its also important to try to avoid any exclusive arrangements, so you're not protecting an individual company which may be a monopoly company.

"Generally, having an open and free trade is advantageous to the consumers," Mr Barker said.

He also says the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission must closely monitor the effects of increased tariff on imports to ensure there is adequate domestic competition.

NBC News
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Bougainville implements Clocking System for Public Servants

January 12, 2019, 5:07 pm
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The Acting Chief Secretary for Bougainville THOMAS RAIVET has called on all Bougainville Public servants to start following the Bougainville Standard Time starting Monday.
Speaking at the ABG Public Service dedication service at HAHELA t, MR. RAIVET called on all Secretaries to make sure they introduce the clocking system at places of work starting Monday.

He said the time of coming to work on PNG time and knocking off on Bougainville time must stop and public servants must be paid for the hours they work.
MR. RAIVET called on the public servants to be creative despite shortcomings and make changes to improve the delivery of services to our people.
He said Public servants can do more if they are committed and stop excuses like lack of finance transport equipment and so on and so forth.

New Dawn FM News
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Masono calls on O'Neill Govt to release funds meant for Bougainville Referendum Commission

January 12, 2019, 5:11 pm
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The Papua New Guinea Government has been called on to quickly release funds meant for the Bougainville Referendum Commission as the Referendum is now less than six months away.
The ABG Vice President, RAYMOND MASONO made the call following concerns raised by the Bougainville Electoral Commissioner, GEORGE MANU aired on New Dawn FM this week.
He said this does not risk delaying the referendum, but the quality of the process of preparations, credibility of the referendum and also the outcome.
MR. MASONO said that the most important activity is the development of the referendum roll with the names of all eligible voters because without this, there will not be any referendum.
He said that previous experiences have shown that the PNG Electoral Commission and the Bougainville electoral commission never get it right when it comes to electoral rolls.
Many people are always turned away and denied their constitutional rights to vote during elections because their names are not on the common roll.
He said for this reason, the ABG previously agreed to use Community Government ward recorders to develop the referendum roll from the bottom-up given their familiarity with eligible voters in their respective communities.
Although developing the common roll is now the responsibility of the BRC, it is important that the shortcomings of previous electoral commission rolls are not repeated.
He said that eligible voters who have registered and want to vote must not be turned away during polling day because their names are not on the common roll.
MR. MASONO also said it is possible that every Bougainvillean will be asked to contribute to funding certain aspects of the referendum and our people must be prepared to do just that.
‘This referendum is ours and if the national government cannot honour its commitment, we must be ready to demonstrate out patriotism by contributing towards its conduct’, he said.

New Dawn FM
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PNG PM O'Neill asked to stay out of Lombrum deal

January 13, 2019, 3:45 am
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PNG's MANUS Governor Charlie Benjamin has asked the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to stay out of the Lombrum Naval Base deal.

He said if the PM is still interested to talk about the Naval Base Deal than he should consult the people of Manus and the provincial government.

He told Radio Australia that the people of his province including his provincial government need to know the impact this planned Naval Base would bring to their province.
He said in respect to the Prime Minister, there are processes and procedures to follow towards making such deals.

“I know we have the national government but we also have the Provincial Government and LLGs and I as the Governor of Manus has all the right to know about the planned naval base that would be built in Manus before any announcement can be made.

“What benefit it would it bring to my people? Will it be a wharf with an airstrip/ airport then how big will it be? What about the social implications it will have on my people? The people of Manus need to know and as such I would like to ask the Prime Minister to consult the people of Manus and the provincial government,” Benjamin said.

This news came after Australia and US sought to rebuild a multi - million kina Pacific military base amid fears that China is trying to establish control over key shipping and naval routes.

It is believed that if Chinese military were to gain control of Lombrum it would have a foothold in the Pacific barely 600 miles from Australia’s northern tip.

This paper earlier ran a separate story about the proposed Naval Base which Australian Defence officials secretly completed a study of the base and have secured the support of PM O’Neill for the project.

However, the Manus Governor said the PNG Prime Minister and his Australia counterpart don’t belong to Manus and cannot make any decision for the Manus people.

“The Manus people will be the once affected and they need to be consulted for such development to take place.
“Any decisions that come out must be made by the people of Manus. We have our provincial government, LLG presidents and the local community who can be consulted and I urge the PM to sit down with the people of Manus and consult them regarding the naval base,” he said.

He further told Radio Australia about what he described as a failed Detention Centre that was built in Manus in 2013.
“The detention centre was built five years ago and still today the people of Manus received nothing, no benefit.

“I would say that we had a bad experience with the Manus Asylum Seekers deals and I don’t want the same to happen to my people. My people deserve better and I want a proper consultation to be carried out before announcing such plans,” Governor Benjamin told Radio Australia..ABC news

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Whistle-blower protection is inadequate: Fiji NFP President Tikoduadua

January 13, 2019, 4:29 am
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The National Federation Party in Fiji has called on the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights to review whistle-blower protection in the Code of Conduct Bill.

With public submissions now open, NFP’s President and Member of Parliament Pio Tikoduadua called for a review of the Bill and in another instance calling for a clause to be deleted entirely.

While supporting the importance of the proposed legislation, Tikoduadua labelled the Code of Conduct Bill in its current form a toothless tiger.

Among several issues raised by the political party, the MP highlighted that the whistle-blower Protection policy in section 13, part five of the Bill was meaningless.

“It should for example protect civil servants who witness and wish to report on unlawful actions of ministers.  In theory, the civil servant is protected from dismissal or demotion. In practice however, all that has to happen is for the Commission to find that the civil servant’s complaint is malicious or politically motivated and the civil servant loses all protection under section 24 and the civil servant can be prosecuted under section 13, said Tikodudua.

Under the Code of Conduct Bill, any person who makes a complaint which is malicious or is politically motivated against the person, the subject of the complaint or is made for the purpose of discrediting or defaming, or causing reputational damage to the person, the subject of the complaint commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both.

SOURCE: FBC NEWS/PACNEWS
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Census puts Cook Islands total population at 17,434

January 13, 2019, 9:00 pm
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The Cook Islands population on December 1, 2016 totalled 17,434 – two per cent less than the 2011 Census that counted 17,794 people, and 25 people less than the 17459 total announced in preliminary results released on June 24, 2017.

The figure, released on December 7 last year, is made up of residents (including short-term visitors) who were in the Cook Islands on Census night.

According to the figures, Rarotonga remains the most populated island in the country with 13,007 (75 per cent) of people residing here.

The Southern Group islands collectively have a population of 3,326 made up of Aitutaki 1,941, Mangaia 499, Atiu 434, Mauke 297 and Mitiaro 155.

A total of 1,101 people was counted in the Northern Group on Census night: Palmerston 58, Pukapuka 444, Nassau 78, Manihiki 212, Rakahanga 83 and Penrhyn 226.

As of December 1, there were 8,597 males and 8,862 females in the Cook Islands, a decrease of 218 males and a decrease of 117 females since 2011.

In a change from Census years before 2011, there is now a similarity in the gender makeup of the Cook Islands: previously males made up a slightly larger proportion of the population.

The Census of Population and Dwellings is a five yearly stock-take of people in the Cook Islands and their housing.

It is the primary source of information on the size, composition, distribution, economic activities and state of well-being of the population.

Describing the total population of a country and its geographical distribution within the country are common and essential elements of all censuses.

However, the definition of what constitutes the population of an area varies from country to country and largely depends on the requirements of users.

The Cook Islands uses the “de jure” population concept because it provides a better indication of permanent population and household composition of an area.

“De jure” is a concept where individuals are recorded as being in a geographical area on the basis that it is their usual place of residence.

All persons present at their place of usual residence will be counted as well as those who may be temporarily absent from their place of usual residence, irrespective of where they are at the time of the census.

Recording is carried out on the basis of place of usual residence, regardless of whether the person is or isn’t actually present at that place at census time.

The Census of Population and Dwellings 2016 is conducted under the authority of the Statistics Act 2016.

SOURCE: COOK ISLANDS NEWS/PACNEWS

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Longest federal shutdown in history

January 13, 2019, 9:02 pm
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The partial federal government shutdown over southern U.S border wall funding, has reached crisis proportions, about to become the longest in history, with impacts reaching as far as American Samoa.

Key departments that administer programmes or provide services for American Samoa, are shut down including Interior, USDA, Treasury and the Department of Homeland Security.

Congresswoman Aumua Amata Radewagen’s office says Interior has furloughed most of its staff, though Office of Insular Affairs Assistant Secretary Doug Domenech and Deputy Assistant Secretary Nikolao Pula, exempted from the furlough are still working.

Interior and other agency workers have been ordered not to use government phones, laptops and other equipment and will not respond to emails.

OIA has cancelled all travel plans for now—including for gubernatorial inaugurations in the islands. OIA’s Pula did say that only mandatory Compact-Impact aid among island-specific programs, is funded.

Amata expects that to happen, though President Trump has threatened to use executive power to declare a national emergency and use unspent Army Corps of Engineers money or other funds, to build the wall.

Meantime, the White House has ordered some programmes under nine affected departments to keep running, including food stamps and nutrition grants, key for American Samoa, through February.

The White House has also ordered the IRS to process tax refunds, by recalling some furloughed workers.

But national parks, including American Samoa’s park, were largely unstaffed, though some parks workers were called back to clean up bathrooms and trash.

Essential air traffic controllers, TSA inspectors and others are also working without pay.

Other agencies are also seeking White House approval to use fees and unspent funds to extend some services, while lawmaker shave just passed legislation to ensure federal workers get paid once the shutdown ends.

Congress last year, did fund the Pentagon, Health and Human Services, the VA and other agencies.

So, veterans services, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance or CHIP, and the troops are all funded.

HHS funds heating and energy assistance, while HHS and a host of agencies, some shut down, fund child care programmes. DASH— Legal aid is run by the independent non-profit Legal Services Corporation, which appears to be funded.

But so far, there seems to be no end in sight to the bitter, partisan brawl between President Trump and Congressional Democrats and Republicans.

Each side is charging the other with holding federal workers hostage but refusing to negotiate demands, as the government teeters toward the longest shutdown ever, and political pressure reaches a boiling point.

SOURCE: TALANEI NEWS/PACNEWS
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Fiji progresses discussion with the European Union on ease of processing Schengen visa

January 13, 2019, 9:05 pm
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Progressive measures are being taken by the Fiji’s Mission in Brussels to ease the processing of Schengen visas to Europe, saving Fijians time and costs currently associated with applying for the Schengen Visa to travel to Europe.

Fiji’s Ambassador at the Fiji Embassy in Brussels, Deo Saran says the Brussels based mission is holding discussions with the European Union to put in necessary arrangements to ease the process required by Fijians in accessing visa to travel to Europe.

Ambassador Saran said while Fiji is holding talks with the European Union on this new arrangement, a successful outcome of current talks will largely depend on individual approval by EU member states.

“This will require the Mission to undertake consultations and bilateral discussions with the European Union member states to seek their support to have an agency in Fiji that can process the visa on their behalf. We do hope to put in the necessary mechanisms in place by this year so we can have the visa processing arrangements done in Fiji”, Ambassador Saran said.

“Currently people have to travel all the way to Wellington or Vanuatu and it takes almost a week or so to get the visa to Europe. Having the visa processed in Fiji will be a huge relief for Fijians,” Ambassador Saran elaborated.....read more on  : Pacific Travel Advisor

SOURCE: PACNEWS
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Court acquits PNG NASUFUND Executive

January 14, 2019, 3:33 am
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The Chief Investment Manager with the National Superannuation Fund, David Brown, has been freed by the Waigani District Court of charges against him.

Mr Brown was arrested and charged in July last year, over allegations of being involved in a conspiracy to defraud the NasFund.

He was arrested and locked up at the Boroko Police Station, following a complaint by the Melanesian Trustee Services Limited, and was later released on bail.

In a statement, NASFUND's Chairman, Hulala Tokome said they are grateful the charges have been finally dismissed after a lengthy delay, and they are happy to have Mr Brown back to serve on the fund.

District Court Magistrate Mekeo Gauli dismissed the case after police failed to put together a credible case against Mr Brown for more than six months.  NBC News/ PNG Today
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Kua wants PNG Electoral Commission to rescind decision on Simbu Regional Recount venue

January 14, 2019, 3:37 am
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Sinasina-Yongomugl MP, Kerenga Kua is urging the Electoral Commissioner to overturn his earlier decision to host a recount of votes of the Simbu Regional Seat in Lae, Morobe Province.

In a statement late this afternoon, Mr Kua says a change of the recount venue outside Lae, would ensure the risk of violence, disruption to businesses and damage to properties and loss of lives in Kundiawa Town and the entire province is avoided.
Late last year the court had ordered the recount into the Simbu Regional Seat, leaving the Electoral Commissioner to decide on a venue which he has, but which has not gone done well with many people in the province.

Mr Kua says Lae is too far from Simbu and would be expensive for the 61 candidates to follow through the process.

He says the Electoral Commissioner should be flexible with his choice of venue, which could easily be Minj or Banz in Jiwaka Province, or Goroka in Eastern Highlands, given their close proximity to Simbu.

The Electoral Commissioner's decision has sparked an escalation of violence and law and order problems in Kundiawa Town almost bringing it to a standstill.

It has now become difficult for people to come into town to obtain goods and services as they routinely do.

Supporters of candidates have barricaded the police station were the ballot boxes are presently stored and have prevented Electoral Commission officials from removing them to Lae for the recount.

Mr Kua says lives and properties are at risk on a daily basis as pockets of violence flare out around town.

He says this must be stopped and it is never too late for the Electoral Commissioner to rescind his decision, to ensure violence, lawlessness and destruction to lives and properties and businesses is avoided.

NBC News

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PNG Hunters to name team next week

January 14, 2019, 4:10 am
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The SP PNG Hunters is winding down its training, before naming a team for the 2019 Intrust Super Cup season.

Assistant Coach Nigel Hukula, says the team is working to trim its 32 players down to 28 before the competition kicks off.

"We're moving into a bit of skill as well. We'd like to have a look at skill and technical aspect as well.

"We're looking at by the end of next week, to have a reduced squad to about 28," Hukula said.

He further says with new faces in key positions like the halves and hooker, they want to make sure they fit into the Hunters culture.

"Having a new set of players come through with energy, and you know it is inevitable that in any organization you will release players for various reasons be it whether they are progressing on to other places or if we find that they do not fit into this program.

"For those that have come in culture is a big thing and we're making sure they get the best opportunity to fit into this culture," Hulula said.

NBC News
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Australian premier plans Fiji, Vanuatu visit to offset China influence

January 14, 2019, 10:51 pm
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Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday he will visit Fiji and Vanuatu this week as part of a push to offset China’s growing influence in the South Pacific.

PM Morrison heads to Vanuatu on Wednesday, in the first visit by an Australian prime minister to the Pacific island nation in three decades. He then will go to Fiji, returning on Friday, a spokesman said.

“This is part of our Pacific step-up. It is part of a refocus of our international efforts on our own region, in our own backyard, and making sure we can have the biggest possible difference,” Morrison said on Australian Broadcasting Corp TV.

The trip follows Chinese President Xi Jinping’s meeting in November with eight Pacific Island leaders before the APEC summit in Papua New Guinea.

China’s efforts to woo Pacific island nations have been watched warily by the countries that have traditionally wielded power in the region, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

Australia announced in November it would offer Pacific countries up to $2 billion in grants and cheap loans for telecommunications, energy, transport and water projects, looking to counter China’s influence.

At the same time, Australia said it would beef up defense and security ties with Pacific islands through new joint exercises and training.

Canberra promised to bolster Vanuatu’s cyber security capability in June as it agreed to begin negotiating a security treaty.

China has spent $1.32 billion on concessional loans and gifts since 2011 to become the second-largest donor after Australia in the Pacific region, raising concern in the West that several tiny nations could end up In debt to Beijing.

Morrison is moving into campaign mode ahead of an election expected in May, following the release of what is expected to be a surplus budget in April.

One issue on the agenda in Fiji is the Australian government’s decision to revoke the citizenship of a man accused of being an Islamic State recruiter, believing he was a dual citizen with Fiji as his father was Fijian.

Fiji has since said that Neil Prakash, now jailed in Turkey, does not have Fijian citizenship, meaning Australia has effectively left him stateless.

“We have been dealing with that issue between the governments over the last few weeks, including directly from leader to leader,” Morrison said on Monday.

SOURCE: REUTERS/PACNEWS
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Cook Islands Parliament to overhaul rules

January 14, 2019, 10:57 pm
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The Speaker of Cook Islands Parliament Niki Rattle will chair a Standing Orders committee, set up to look into revising the rules regulating parliamentary proceedings.

The committee aims to better align Standing Orders with the Cook Islands Constitution. Members include Prime Minister Henry Puna, Deputy Prime Minister Mark Brown, Health minister Rose Brown and Opposition members William “Smiley” Heather and Tamaiva Tuavera.

Former Cook Islands Party MP Toka Hagai was a member of the committee before he lost his Rakahanga seat to Tina Browne recently in a Court of Appeal decision.

Clerk of Parliament Tangata Vainerere said a replacement for Hagai would be appointed when Parliament convenes for its opening sitting for the year.

Members of the committee had the “exciting” role of tidying up how Parliament is run, he said.

Standing Orders have not been revised for a while – in fact the last review was in July, 2010, Vainerere added.

“We have already gone through four versions of the proposed new Standing Orders. We have studied the current Standing Orders, we have observed the things that have taken place in Parliament in the last 10 years or so and we have engaged a consultant, Debra Angus, who used to be deputy clerk for the New Zealand Parliament.

Through the UNDP, we have had the privilege of getting advice from her in the last two years since we started working on this project,” Vainerere said.

“Soon we will have a document that the government will be happy to table in Parliament to be adopted as the new rules for the operations of parliament.”

Vainerere said there were a few things in the current Standing Orders which did not align with the Constitution.


The alignment work, carried out through the consultant, meant that Standing Orders were now able to directly link with the Constitution.

“The problem in the past was when the Standing Orders were updated, some people forgot to check back against the Constitution to make sure that everything was aligned,” he said.

“However our system is quite simple … if the two of them conflict, we always know that the Constitution takes precedence over any other legislation. But now we have the opportunity to make things neat and tidy.”

 The revised Standing Orders would help achieve the goal of running an effective Parliament, Vainerere said

 “I’m not saying it (the Parliament) has been bad. But we have had the privilege of studying what other Parliaments do and we have learnt a whole lot of new things on how to better do our work, and how to be better in providing service to our members and the general public, said Vainerere.

SOURCE: COOK ISLANDS NEWS/PACNEWS
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