ABC Asia Pacific News Update

[ABC Asia Pacific News, 17 March 2011] - Vanuatu has been hit by a strong 6.5-magnitude earthquake off its northern coast.


The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says there is no threat of a widespread destructive tsunami, but local tsunamis may be generated from the quake.

The US Geological Service says the tremor struck 77 kilometres north-west of the capital, Port Villa, on Thursday afternoon

The epicentre of the quake was fairly shallow, 26 kilometres deep.

END!!

Tonga police tell their boss to quit

Tonga's cabinet is considering a peition from almost half the police force calling for the police commissioner to step down.

Media there says up to 200 police have signed the peition calling for Chris Kelley, a New Zealander, to resign.

They are dissatisfied with recent reforms aimed at increasing accountability and transparency.

Commissioner Kelley says he is not going to quit.

"That issue is not being contemplated," he said.

Police Minister Viliami Latu says it is too early to say if he will consider removing the commissioner.

"The commissioner is doing a good job for Tongan police."

A Cabinet sub-committee is considering the petition and is expected to make a recommendation next week.

Tuvalu remains under emergency rule

New Zealand Herald,

17th January 2011

The tiny Pacific Island nation of Tuvalu will remain under emergency rule until at least next week after protests prompted the prime minister to ban public meetings, a Tuvalu Government official says.

Prime Minister Willy Telavi declared emergency rule last Thursday after protesters marched demanding the resignation of Finance Minister Lotoala Metia.

The emergency regulations mean all public meetings, protest marches and community feasts are banned.

Radio journalist and government official Semi Lauti Malaki told NZPA the emergency regulations were enacted by Mr Telavi because it was feared the protests against Mr Metia could cause wider unrest.

The regulations would remain for two weeks after which the police would reassess the situation, Malaki said.

There had been no further protests and no arrests since the regulations were announced.

The initial protest was sparked after Mr Metia failed to meet with community elders, which was seen as breaching traditional protocol, Malaki said.

His constituent in the Nukufetau island community responded by staging a "peaceful" protest demanding his resignation.

Mr Metia had told local media he would stay in Parliament unless the law said otherwise, Malaki said.

Tuvalu, about 1100km north of Fiji, is the third smallest state in the world - after the Vatican and Nauru - with a population of about 10,400.

It was formerly known as the Ellice Islands, part of the British-owned Gilbert and Ellice group. The islands achieved independence in 1978.

Environmentalists fear the low-lying islands will disappear under the waves with rising sea levels.

- NZPA

Meeting restrictions in Tuvalu to ease political tension

[Radio New Zealand International, 13 January 2010] - The government of Tuvalu has moved quickly to try and diffuse the tension over attempts by one of the island communities to remove its member of parliament.

The Prime Minister, Willie Telavi, has ordered that no public gathering be held on the main island of Funafuti for two weeks.

According to Pacnews, the public order allows for only up to 10 persons to gather or meet in a public place.

Tension was high on Wednesday when hundreds of community leaders and members of the Nukufetau island community marched to the home of its member of parliament, Lotoala Metia, to demand his resignation.

Mr Metia is in the government, while the other MP from Nukufetau, Enele Sopoanga, is in the opposition.

Mr Telavi came to power last month after he crossed the floor and succeeded in removing Maatia Toafa from the prime ministership.

PNG poised for vice-regal election

[ABC Radio Australia News, 13 January 2011] - Papua New Guinea's government has been accused of hijacking the nomination and election process for a new governor-general.

Parliament will elect a new head of state on Friday after the Supreme Court in December annulled Sir Paulias Matane's reappointment.

PNG's first female premier for Morobe province, Enni Moitz, says candidates were allowed 24 hours to secure 15 signatures to let them nominate.

She says she missed out on being a candidate as male politicians refused to support her.

''We have not mustered enough numbers to enter into the race.''

The government has also been accused of bias and breaching rules with the nomination of Higher Education Minister Michael Ogio as a candiate for the vice-regal post.

The race for the governor-generalship is now set between Mr Ogio and Opposition-backed candidate Sir Pato Kakaraya.

PNG Opposition fails in no confidence motion bid

Papua New Guinea (PNG) are experiencing similar political challenges like us in the Solomons. Being our Melanesian big brother and fellow neighbour in our 'arc of instability' we hope their current issues are resolved in the most democratic means and that the rule of law will always be adhered to. 

Below is a news article from Radio New Zealand International regarding recent events there:

  [Radio New Zealand International News, 11 Jan 2010] -The opposition in Papua New Guinea has failed in its bid to put a motion for a vote of no confidence in the government before the parliament.

Parliament has agreed that a vote for the position of governor general will take place on Friday.

Nominations for the position have now opened and will close on Wednesday afternoon.

Our correspondent Alex Rheeney says the opposition tried unsuccessfully to use the parliamentary session to put forward the no confidence motion.

“That did not eventuate the leader of government business moved for parliament to be adjourned to Friday and the government were able to use their numbers and voted for the house to be adjourned until Friday. So the opposition did not actually get the opportunity to get the speaker to entertain other business in which the vote of no confidence motion could have been discussed.”

Alex Rheeney says the opposition has indicated it will try again to put a motion for a vote of no confidence on Friday.

But he says this unlikely to be successful as the government walked into the parliamentary chamber together on Tuesday in a show of its strength of numbers.

Alex Rheeney says the indications are that the government will support the nomination of the former Governor General Sir Paulias Matane to return to the position, but other contenders may include Barry Holloway.

The opposition has indicated it will support a number of candidates including two women, Winnie Kiap and Enny Moatz.