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Pacific News In Brief For 21 March
Papua New Guinea - violence
National Capital District governor Powes Parkop says the economic cost of violence in the country reaches into the billions.
Parkop, who is also on the parliamentary committee for gender equality, said the number of women and girls subjected to gender-based violence (GBV) has increased to about 3.4 million since the launch of the National Strategy to respond to and end GBV in 2017.
He said in 2016, the figure stood at over 2.5m - representing a rate of one woman subjected to violence every ten seconds.
Parkop said economically the cost to the nation in terms of lost work and productivity is estimated at nearly US$4.55 billion in cost productive days per year.
Local media reported in parliament this week, Minister for Labour and Employment Kessy Sawang cited a 13.7 percent difference in wages between men and women, and promised to table legislative changes to improve this.
Fiji - Constitution
Fiji's former Attorney-General says the coalition government's attempts to amend the 2013 Constitution, ahead of the national election next year, are for political gain.
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum told The Fiji Times the government should be prioritising Fiji's economic challenges and social problems rather than consitutional change.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka failed in his efforts to secure the support of three-quarters of the members of parliament to amend sections 159 and 160 of the constitution.
Rabuka also sought to completely remove the requirement for a national referendum in relation to any proposed changes to the consitution.
While the bill passed its first reading with support from four opposition MPs, it failed narrowly at the second reading.
Sayed-Khaiyum said the cost of living, crime and drug-related problems are more pressing issues for the people than amending the constitution.
Samoa - crime
A criminal was captured by Samoa police on Monday after being on the run for nearly two months.
The Samoa Observer reported that police arrested Lauititi Tualima at a rental property behind the Aele Primary School rugby field.
Tualima had been on the run since he escaped from the high-security Tanumalala prison at the end of January.
Police Commissioner, Auapa'au Logotino Filipo told the Observer there was a possibility charges could be laid against residents of the property if they had been harbouring the prisoner.
Solomon Islands - weather
The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology have launched a new partnership.
The Australian High Commission to the Solomons said the agreement includes upgrading existing weather stations from manual to semi-automated.
The Solomons' Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Trevor Mahaga, said the partnership will enable them to save lives and minimise economic losses.
Tonga - development
Tonga's Crown Prince says the country's future depends on meeting the needs of its people.
Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala told the national development summit the people must be provided with access to quality education, healthcare, and a way to make a living.
The summit, which is to develop a new long-term plan for the country, has been underwaythis week in Nuku'alofa.
Matangi Tonga reported the Crown Prince saying the "people are our nation's most valuable asset for development".
Northern Mariana Islands - casino
The Northern Marianas governor is disappointed the moth-balled Saipan casino is set to sell for US$12.9 million.
Arnold Palacios said he was hoping the Imperial Pacific Resort would sell for $25 million.
He said there is going to be a hearing on whether that bid is acceptable, and the Office of Attorney General will be monitoring it fairly closely.
Aotearoa New Zealand
New Zealand's foreign minister says the prosperity of the Pacific Islands is something New Zealand and the United States agree on.
Winston Peters said there's a lot happening at present in the Indo-Pacific and the world, and it was a valuable time to talk to the United States.
Peters said they also talked about all the areas where New Zealand and the United States have interests in common, including the prosperity and stability of the Pacific Islands and promoting a balanced and mutually beneficial trade and economic relationship.
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