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Radio Australia News - Pacific News Email - Wednesday

2012-02-14T23:00:00.001-08:00

Pacific News Email for Wednesday, 15 February 2012

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Follow Pacific Correspondent Sean Dorney

Last Updated: Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:24:00 +1100

ABC/Australia Network Pacific Correspondent, and former Papua New Guinea Correspondent Sean Dorney is now on Twitter: @carrierpidgin
For the latest on his return visit to PNG, you can follow him on Twitter, or stay tuned to Australia Network and Radio Australia.

To view this story on our website, visit:
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Flash flooding to hit Tonga

Last Updated: Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:12:00 +1100

Fiji weather experts said Cyclone Jasmine will continue to affect Tonga with flash flooding expected around the main island of Tongatapu.

Jasmine, which is now a category one storm, is the second cyclone to affect the kingdom in a week.

Neville Koop from the Nadraki Weather Service in Suva told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat the cyclone is almost stationary about 120 kilometres west of Nuku'alofa .

"It's actualy in the process of what we think is completing a very small loop in its track and as it does that, it's bringing very strong squally north westerly winds down over Tonagtapu and as well as that quite heavy rain and the issue right now is that it's so slow moving and it isn't moving away," Mr Koop said.

"Tongatapu being such a flat island and doesn't have a lot of rivers. But with this much rain, it's going to cause widespread flash flooding right across the island".

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Dame Carol PNG's new opposition leader

Last Updated: Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:38:00 +1100

Dame Carol Kidu has been announced as Papua New Guinea's new opposition leader.

It is the first time in six months the position has been filled in PNG.

Dame Carol is the only female MP in Papua New Guinea and has been championing a women's bill to boost female representation in parliament.

The bill would set aside 22 seats in Parliament for women but has failed to get enough numbers to pass through parliament on three separate occasions.

The opposition benches have been vacant since the former prime minister Sir Michael Somare was replaced by Peter O'Neill in August last year.

Sir Michael and his supporters maintain they are the legitimate government and have seated themselves in the middle benches in protest.

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Nauru miners to search for seabed minerals

Last Updated: Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:53:00 +1100

A Nauru-based company has been given permission to begin exploration for seabed minerals in international waters.

Nauru Ocean Resources will begin sonar exploration in a 25,000km zone between Hawaii and Mexico later this year.

A convention signed by more than 160 countries allows mineral exploration in international waters, and specifies areas set aside for developing nations.

Nauru Ocean Resources vice-president Robert Heydon said the founders of the company had exploration talks with many developing states before deciding on Nauru.

"We talked with Nauru who were interested because they themselves don't actually have minerals within their exclusive economic zone, because of where they are situated geographically," he said.

"And so, unlike other Pacific Island states that do have minerals to diversify their economy in their offshore areas, Nauru doesn't".

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Radio Australia News - Pacific News Email - Tuesday

2012-02-13T23:00:00.001-08:00

Pacific News Email for Tuesday, 14 February 2012

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Australian rights education urged for Vanuatu seasonal workers

Last Updated: Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:51:00 +1100

A Vanuatu employment agency has backed calls for unions to help educate seasonal workers about their legal rights in Australia.

Earlier this month, about 30 ni-Vanuatu workers quit their jobs in the Australian state of Victoria over a pay and performance dispute.

Ephraim Kalsakau from the Vanuatu National Workers Union says the Vanuatu government should allow unions to educate the workers about their legal rights before they leave.

"Vanuatu should have ensured that our workers go away knowing, being well aware of the situation in Australia," he said.

Aaron Hanghangkon, the head of a Vanuatu labour hire company, agrees.

"If we can explain to them what they can expect, working conditions while in Australia then I would support that," he said.

Australia's Fair Work Ombudsman is investigating the labour dispute.

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Less US troops for Guam

Last Updated: Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:49:00 +1100

Government officials in Guam have confirmed the proposed United States military build-up will be dramaticaly reduced.

The US has confirmed that instead of 8000 marines to be deployed there, the figure will be around 4,700.

It's the first time the US has admitted the figure is to be reduced despite Japanese officials previously suggesting the military buildup would be less than expected.

Attorney Leevin Camacho who is publically critical of the proposed military buildup, said he believes the US has cut marine numbers because of a lack of funds.

"So we are talking about 8600 marines and 9000 dependents so 17,000 people total who would be moving to Guam and again its a price tag of $US11 billion dollars," he said.

"There are a lot of questions, they are looking at changing the plans to make it more affordable for the us government".

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Fake malaria drugs on the rise in Asia-Pacific

Last Updated: Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:08:00 +1100

Health authorities in the Asia-Pacific region have warned that black market Malaria medication, may lead to a dramatic rise in the incidence of the disease.

Malaria kills more than one million people a year and authorities say with the emergence of counterfeit anti malaria drugs, that figure could rise dramatically, particularly in South East Asia and the Pacific.

An investigation has revealed most of the fake drugs are manufactured in China, India and Nigeria.

The Chinese government recently close several factories in the south of the country.

Professor Maxine Whittaker from the Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network says in the Pacific, lack of regulation is seeing more and more fake drugs slipping through.

"Throughout the Pacific and in Papua New Guinea you have little trade stores and often they are the only people who sell anything and, again, often they may be linked or they may be purchasing from these counterfeit drug suppliers," she said.

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WHO calls for renewed commitment to leprosy fight

Last Updated: Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:39:00 +1100

The World Health Organisation is calling for tougher measures to fight leprosy in the Asia-Pacific.

The call has come from the chairman of the WHO's Western-Pacific region Shin Young-soo, at the start of a three-day conference on how to combat leprosy and treat sufferers.

He says there are 5,000 new cases reported each year in the Western Pacific alone with Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Kiribati the worst affected.

Mr Shin says in the Philippines, where the disease was officially eliminated in 1998, 2,000 new cases are still recorded every year.

He says there needs to be a renewed commitment to fight leprosy, stressing that it had to be long-term because the disease could incubate for as long as 20 years.

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Temaru reveals link to Australian billionaire

Last Updated: Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:43:00 +1100

The President of French Polynesia Oscar Temaru has returned home from a trip to Australia, where mining magnate Clive Palmer played host.

He spoke to Pacific Beat's Geraldine Coutts about his trip.

"He [Palmer] came to Tahiti a month ago with his delegaton and his lovely wife," Mr Temaru said.

"They went to Bora Bora and he was, you know, very interested in our country and he invited me to come to Australia, to Queensland, to inform the people of Australia what is going on in our country.

"I didn't go to Australia for, you know, business issue.

"I have been to Australia to promote my country as a beautiful destination for the Australian people".

Mr Temaru said Mr Palmer helped set up political meetings for him in Australia.

"His difference was to organise this meeting with the people of the Opposition and also the mayors," Mr Temaru said.

Mr Temaru wants Australia's support at the United Nations.

He wants the UN to hold a referendum on the issue of self-determination for French Polynesia, but is disappointed Australia and New Zealand are not supporting his bid.

"I can not understand the position, the new position of Australia and New Zealand because those two countries have supported very strongly New Caledonia, to get New Caledonia back on the list at the United Nations," he said.

"And New Caledonia just like our country were on the same list until 1946".

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Deaf NZ MP denied special funding

Last Updated: Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 +1100

New Zealand's first profoundly deaf MP has been told parliament will not pay for the technology she needs to fully participate in debates.

Green Party MP Mojo Mathers has been told the cost of the technology - estimated at around $NZ30,000, or around $20,000 - must be met from her own parliamentary budget.

The Greens say the cost amounts to her entire office budget, and say she will be unable to take part in debates without electronic note-taking equipment.

Ms Mathers' election in November was heralded as giving a real voice to the profoundly deaf.

She is due to give her maiden speech in Parliament on Wednesday.

The Greens say talks are continuing with the parliamentary speaker to resolve the issue.

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NZ admits overreaction to influenza scare

Last Updated: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:34:00 +1100

New Zealand health authorities have admitted they overreacted to an influenza scare by quarantining a plane on the tarmac for several hours.

The Air New Zealand flight from Tokyo was isolated after it landed Monday morning when the airline informed health officials that about 60 Japanese students were displaying flu-like symptoms.

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service put local hospitals on standby for mass patient admissions, as medical teams in biohazard suits entered the Boeing 777-200 to examine the sick passengers.

They were eventually allowed to disembark after about three hours when it was determined that, while some had colds, they had been immunised against flu and did not have the virus.

"In hindsight we overreacted to this but that's better than underreacting. We needed to make it safe until we were sure," health service medical officer Richard Hoskins said.

Stuart Cundy, head of the homestay organisation that is hosting the students, was nonplussed at the fuss his visitors had created.

"I've been travelling with them for an hour-and-a-half on a bus and I haven't heard a sneeze," he told the New Zealand Herald.

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Radio Australia News - Pacific News Email - Monday

2012-02-12T23:00:00.001-08:00

Pacific News Email for Monday, 13 February 2012

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Crops hardest hit by Cyclone Jasmine

Last Updated: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:05:00 +1100

The worst damage in Vanuatu from last week's gale force winds appears to be to crops, a team of aid workers say.

Last week the team took aerial photographs of Tafea - the province most affected - and this weekend a team of workers have flown to the small islands.

Oxfam's country director in Vanuatu Alex Mathieson spoke to Geraldine Coutts for Pacific Beat about the damage after Cyclone Jasmine.

"What we're hearing, both from the aerial reconnaissance and also from people on the ground is that the main damage seems to be to crops," he said.

"Particularly to banana, manioc and other fruit trees".

Mr Mathieson said there were also reports of some damage to houses and to water systems but that information needed to be verified by team members visiting the affected communities.

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Warning entire Marshall Islands population could develop diabetes

Last Updated: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:06:00 +1100

Health authorities in the Marshall Islands are warning the entire population could develop diabetes.

Nine out of every ten hospital admissions are diabetes-related in the Marshalls, and experts are warning the disease is threatening the islands' younger population.

Robert Revercomb from the Diabetes Wellness Centre in Majuro says solid data about the disease amongst young Marshallese is not known, but it's widespread amongst the adult population.

"Right now, the statistics seems to be about 80 per cent of Marshallese are diabetic, type-2," he said.

"If left with no intervention, everyone can reasonably expect to become diabetic."

Early intervention is the aim of a new program run by the Diabetes Wellness Centre in Majuro, which targets middle and high school students.

Robert Revercomb says the program teaches them diet, fitness and lifestyle skills to help ward off the disease.

"One of the things we're focusing on is going back to traditional, local foods," he said.

"But in addition, teaching agriculture, gardening as a valueable skill.

"We are also in the schools teaching the value of physical education, of recreation and, in view of modern living, of doing exercise as a form of artificial work that's necessary to keep our bodies healthy."

He says part of the program is also aimed at educating the parents.

"We have distributed literature and explained what we're doing with their children," he said.

"We have healthy cooking cookbooks in both Marshallese and in English and we also have healthy cooking classes.

"So the parents are involved too...and we do hope that this will permeate throughout the communities, and it actually is."

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Australian company extends sympathies over NZ mine disaster

Last Updated: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:46:00 +1100

An Australian drilling contracting company charged over New Zealand's Pike River Mine Disaster says it has begun reviewing documents related to the case against it.

Contractor VLI Drilling is among three parties charged over the mine disaster in November 2010.

Twenty-nine men, including two Australians, died when a blast ripped through the mine.

In response to the tragedy, the New Zealand Labour Department laid 25 charges against the Pike River Coal Company and its chief executive Peter Whitall.

VLI Drilling is facing three charges in relation to the maintenance and operation of its drill rig.

The company has told the ABC its just received the Department's finalised summary of the facts and it's now reviewing the documentation.

The matter returns to court in New Zealand next month and VLI Drilling says futher documentation is still to be provided.

A spokesman says in addition VLI Drilling has again extended its sympathies to the families impacted by the tragedy.

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Samoa upsets New Zealand in Rugby Sevens

Last Updated: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:01:00 +1100

Alafoti Faosiliva scored his second try in the last moments on Sunday to give Samoa a 26-19 upset of season leader New Zealand in the final of the US stage of the IRB Rugby Sevens World Series.

The giant forward crashed in for the deciding points at the death to bring a victory in Samoa's first Sevens series final since the Dubai Sevens in December of 2010.

The shocker thwarted a two-try New Zealand comeback that had pulled the favourites level only to see them denied a third consecutive series crown.

New Zealand remained atop the Series after the fifth of nine rounds on 92 points to 87 for Fiji with South Africa third on 76, two ahead of England, and the Samoans jumping to fifth in the chase on 69.

The global series continues next month at Hong Kong.

Faosiliva scored his first try five minutes into the final to put Samoa ahead but Charles Piutau equalised for New Zealand 3:12 later.

Paul Perez's try put the Samoans ahead 10:17 into the first half and Reupena Levasa's conversion kick boosted the lead to 12-5 at half-time.

Faatoina Autagavaia scored a try 70 seconds into the second half to stretch the Samoan lead to 19-5 before New Zealand rallied.

Tomasi Cama scored a try eight minutes into the second half and substitute Ardie Savea added another 82 seconds later and two conversion kicks by Cama pulled New Zealand level at 19-19, setting up the dramatic finish.

New Zealand, nine-time World Series champion, has not won the US leg since the 2008 edition in San Diego.

The South Africans, defending USA Sevens champions, were dethroned 20-7 by New Zealand in the first semi-final.

First-half tries from Bryce Heem, Mark Jackman and Cama pushed New Zealand to a 15-0 half-time lead and D.J. Forbes added another before Branco du Perez gave the South Africans their only points in the final minutes.

Samoa's 14-12 semi-final upset of Fiji ensured New Zealand would finish the weekend alone atop the IRB series standings.

Fiji took the lead on Waisea Nayacalevu's try after only 91 seconds and Metuisela Talebula kicked the conversion, then Cakau added another try but Talebula missed the conversion, leaving Fiji ahead 12-0 at half-time.

Paul Perez and Autagavaia scored tries for Samoa and second-half substitute Uale Mai made conversion kicks on both to give the Samoans the victory and a berth in the final.

Fiji defeated South Africa 21-15 in the third-place match, avenging a loss in last year's US final to maximise points from the US weekend.

Kenya downed Argentina 21-7 for the Plate while Canada edged Australia 19-17 for the Bowl and France downed Scotland 22-7 to claim the Shield.

AFP

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Lomu waiting for second kidney transplant

Last Updated: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:44:00 +1100

New Zealand rugby great Jonah Lomu needs a second kidney transplant.

The former All Blacks winger confirmed he is waiting for a new kidney after a donated kidney failed.

Lomu is on dialysis three times a week to prevent renal failure.

He said he has lost 30kg since his health problems re-emerged last September.

Lomu is one of New Zealand's greatest rugby players. He is best remembered for his devastating performances during the 1995 Rugby World Cup. He also played a key role in New Zealand's 1999 World Cup campaign before his health problems cut his career short.

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Vanuatu teenager wins UNICEF video contest

Last Updated: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:59:00 +1100

A teenage girl from Vanuatu has won an international competition conducted by the United Nations Children's fund, UNICEF, to create a one-minute video.

The sixty second video by Vanuatu's Nenneth Sakita, aged sixteen, is about defending the rights of young women to choose what they wear.

UNICEF's Communication Specialist, Tomas Jensen, organised the workshop where developed the idea.

"It's about the experience that Nenneth has along with other young girls in Vanuatu, that they are not allowed to dress the way they want, that they are not allowed to articulate their feelings, their needs," he said.

Nenneth Sakita says the girls at the workshop didn't like the way the boys spoke about what one of their teachers was wearing.

"One of the women who teach us - the boys were talking about her dress," she said.

"Plenty of boys and men don't like women wearing short skirts. Women too have rights. Men have rights. And women and children."

Her entry was selected ahead of 250 others from around the world.

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Radio Australia News - Pacific News Email - Friday

2012-02-09T23:00:00.001-08:00

Pacific News Email for Friday, 10 February 2012

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Protesters occupy PNG ships

Last Updated: Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:42:00 +1100

A group of protestors has taken control of three ships belonging to the company involved in last week's ferry disaster in Papua New Guinea.

Around 40 protestors are occupying a ferry and two cargo ships owned by Rabaul Shipping at the Buka wharf in Bougainville.

Most of them are relatives of those on board the Rabaul Queen which sank near Lae last Thursday.

Protest organizer John Angamata said they want the company to take responsibility for the deaths, transport the victim's bodies home and provide help to the survivors.

"Some of them they lost two members of the family," he said.

"Some lost six members of their family. So lost wives, pregnant mothers on the boat".

He says Rabaul Shipping has offered to fly a few of the the protestors to Lae but that's not good enough.

Help for survivors
Trauma counsellors working with the survivors say it will be months if not years before most of them recover.

Most of the 246 surivors of last week's ferry sinking remain in care centres in Lae, where they are receiving counselling.

One of the trauma counsellors Elvina Yaro said while some are starting to recover, most are struggling to deal with what happened.

"Some of them have decided not to talk at all and that's normal after what they went through".

Health workers in Lae are worried about the affect of having such a large number of people, many in bad health, staying in such a close proximity to each other.

Counselling services have been set up in many of the survivor's home provinces to aide with their return home.

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Cyclone recovery begins in Vanuatu

Last Updated: Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:55:00 +1100

Cyclone Jasmine has left Vanuatu waters and is heading south into the open ocean, after leaving a trail of destruction in it's wake.

Shadrack Welegtabic from Vanuatu's National Disaster Management Office, said once air and ground damage assessments are completed, work will begin on getting aid to the southern islands most severely affected.

He told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat says while aerial photgraphs suggest crops such as casava and banana have been damaged, there's no immediate threat to food security.

"There's still enough crop available for people to use in the couple of, two to three weeks and then after that period we might consider looking at food relief," he said.

"After we get the ground assessment we'll be able to give out more information".

He also said the aerial photographs do not suggest many buildings have been damaged.

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French Polynesian leader in Australia to discuss trade and tourism

Last Updated: Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:30:00 +1100

The president of French Polynesian has been taken on a fact finding mission in Australia by the mining magnate Clive Palmer.

Oscar Temaru is visiting Queensland and Western Australia to research tourism, mining and industry opportunities.

He's also hoping to encourage more trade between Australia and the Pacific.

The President says Australian support is vital for French Ploynesia to realise its full potential.

"We don't have the means to first of all explore this huge ocean, we need people like geologists to come down there," he said.

President Temaru says he's also looking for help from the Australian government so French Polynesia can gain independence from France.

Mr Palmer says, as near neighbours, it's Australia's duty to support French Polynesia.

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Kava ban lifted in Canberra

Last Updated: Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +1100

Health officials in the Australian Capital Territory have granted a three day exemption on the use of kava, for the duration of a multicultural festival in Canberra.

The ban had upset the local Pacific Island community, which had been warned that anyone caught with kava would face jail.

But authorities have had a change of heart, and a trial exemption began at midnight.

The Chief Health Officer of the ACT, Dr Paul Kelly, has told Radio Australia he doesn't believe the cultural use of kava is harmful.

"The ban was actually put in place for a very specific reason and that's in relation to the widespread abuse of kava in Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory where the use of kava is very different to the longstanding cultural use in Pacific Island countries and Pacific Island residents of Australia," he said.

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Radio Australia News - Pacific News Email - Thursday

2012-02-08T23:00:00.000-08:00

Pacific News Email for Thursday, 9 February 2012

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Bainimarama decree 'bizarre', says expert

Last Updated: Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:25:00 +1100

A Fiji interim government decree giving ministers immunity from prosecution over what they say professional and personally, has been criticised by a constitutional law expert.

Professor Bill Hodge, from Auckland University's Law faculty, says the State Proceedings Amendment Decree turns the concept of parliamentary privilege on it's head.

The coup installed military regime in Suva says the decree extends protection against prosecution for reporting minister's statements to the media, and is intended to facilitate open and frank discussion between government, the public and other stakeholders in the lead up to Fiji's parliamentary elections in 2014.

The interim government says the decree is consistent with law about parliamentary privilege in Commonwealth countries, but Professor Hodge told Pacific Beat's Bruce Hill, that's simply not true.

"First of all it's a decredd that purports to change fundamental rights and one wold think that can only be done by statute," Professor Hodge said.

"To say that it is consistant with parliamentary privledge is totally beserk, bananas, bizarre.

"Parliamentary privledge is designed to protect MPs in the house proceeding in parliament, not to protect executives in their personal capacity".

Professor Hodge said the decree fails the very basic requirements of constitutional law.

"I've never seen anything like this in any parliamentary system porporting to be under the heading of parliamentary privledge".

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NGOs must think global, act local: Oxfam

Last Updated: Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:24:00 +1100

International aid agency Oxfam says preparing local communities is the most effective way to provide natural disaster relief.

Oxfam New Zealand's Executive Director Barry Coates said a report by his agency suggests international organisations need to look for local solutions.

"Being more prepared on the ground is a really crucial point the report is trying to make," he told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat.

"Because you know the first actors in any crisis are the communities, are the community leaders, are the local NGOs, churches, the people who are the local actors.

"And really there has got to be an emphasis on strengthening their resources, their abilities, their preparedness to be able to act in the case of an emergency".

Mr Coates said too often international organisations fly staff and resources to disaster struck communities, rather than looking within the community itself.

"You know most humanitarian action really has to happen from within the society and from within the communities".

And Mr Coates warned the need for disaster relief is likely to increase.

"In an era of climate change and conflict and increasing inequality we're likely to see more not less of these kind of disasters".

New Zealand earthquake
A new report into last year's earthquake in New Zealand has found there were flaws in the construction of the CTV building.

The six-storey building collapsed within seconds of the Christchurch quake, killing 115 people.

The government report has found the building did not meet construction standards.

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PNG PM vows to find missing ferry victims

Last Updated: Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:51:00 +1100

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has promised survivors of last week's ferry disaster that the government will ensure all victims are accounted for.

Mr O'Neill handed over aid money for the Morobe Disaster Committee and addressed a meeting of survivors and families of the missing.

The PNG Government has promised an official investigation into the sinking of the MV Rabaul Queen.

The passenger ferry was en route to Lae when it sank off the coast of Morobe province last Thursday.

The executive officer of the Governor of East New Province, Tim Masiu, has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat many of the survivors have heart breaking stories.

"There was a guy who say (sic) that he left his family below and he went up to make a phone call only to get up there and find himself in the sea, and the family's gone. He does not know what happened to them," Mr Masiu said.

"There was a young man who told the governor that he lost his wife and he's still waiting for her.

Those are the kind of stories which are very emotional and it is something that we all listen to with a heavy heart."

More than 240 people have been rescued. It is still unclear how many people died in the tragedy.

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Radio Australia News - Pacific News Email - Wednesday

2012-02-07T23:00:00.001-08:00

Pacific News Email for Wednesday, 8 February 2012

-------------------------------

Rockfall blamed for Pike mine disaster

Last Updated: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:40:00 +1100

The Pike River Royal Commission has heard for the first time the likely cause of the blasts that killed 29 men in a New Zealand coal mine.

The commission today heard from Brett Murray, the head of the labour department's investigation into the 2010 tragedy.

He said a panel of experts had helped the department conduct its biggest ever inquiry, involving 13 investigators over nine months.

He said that on the balance of probabilities, there had been a rockfall inside the mine which released methane gas.

The commission heard this gas was probably ignited when an electric water pump was switched on after maintenance.

The commission has been given an extra six months to complete its final report, which is now due in September.

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Cyclone Jasmine battering Vanuatu's south

Last Updated: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:38:00 +1100

Severe tropical cyclone Jasmine is causing problems for Vanuatu's southern islands.

The category four cyclone is generating winds of up to 165 kilometres an hour.

The hurricane force winds are expected to continue for 12 to 24 hours.

Neville Koop from the Suva-based Nadraki weather office has told Radio Australia the cyclone is still tracking south, south east.

He said it will run parallel to the islands "not quite hitting them on square".

"So it may not actually pass over the islands of Vanuatu, but on the track it's on it could potentially be even worse because it is going to stay just to the south of them for most of today by the looks. It is starting to slow down, which is a concern also, because as it slows down it will just take longer to clear away."

Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Cyril is north of Tonga, bringing with it strong winds.

Cyril is located about 740 kilometres east of Fiji, and heading east, south east.

It is also expected to affect flood-stricken Fiji.

A cyclone alert has been declared across most of Tonga, with high seas expected in Fiji.

Have you been affected by Cyclone Jasmine or Cyclone Cyril in Vanuatu, Fiji or Tonga? Send us your photos: apnc.online@abc.net.au

Aid effort
Aid agency Oxfam said it's preparing to deal with possible food and water shortages in Vanuatu, as Cyclone Jasmine approaches.

Oxfam's Vanuatu director, Alex Mathieson, says they're using last year's severe weather to gaugue problems that may be encountered this year.

"Judging by the experiences of last year there were some damage to people's homes, and other shelter, and some school buildings," he said.

"And also there was some impact on crops, which impacted on people's short to medium term access to food.

"There was also damage and pollution to water sources".

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PNG chief justice says legitimacy key issue

Last Updated: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:23:00 +1100

PNG's acting chief justice says deciding who is the country's legitimate leader is the key to resolving the nation's political crisis.

The Supreme Court ordered several parties involved in cases surrounding the nation's leadership dispute attend a hearing on Wednesday.

The Supreme Court previously ruled in favour of former leader Sir Michael Somare.

Parliament replaced Sir Michael with Prime Minister Peter O'Neill when Sir Michael spent an extended time in Singapore for medical treatment.

But the Supreme Court ruled Parliament should not have replaced Sir Michael.

Acting Chief Justice Gibbs Salika said the primary issue is legitimacy.

He wants the court to rule on two references filed by Mr O'Neill's supporters.

These references ask the court's opinion on constitutional questions such as whether the court can interfere with parliament's appointment of a prime minister.

Justice Salika said all other cases have been stayed pending the outcome of the references.

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-------------------------------

Solomon Islands deny chequebook diplomacy

Last Updated: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:35:00 +1100

Solomon Islands Foreign Minister, Peter Shanel, says his country will definitely not be involved in any chequebook diplomacy with Russia.

The comments come after a meeting between Mr Shanel and Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, in Fiji last week, aimed at speeding up diplomatic links.

There have been concerns that Russia's interest in the Pacific is about winning recognition for the disputed states of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for the Pacific Islands Affairs, Richard Marles, has warned of the danger of chequebook diplomacy.

Mr Shanel said although South Ossetia and Abhkazia have been raised by Russia in the past it was not raised in his talks with Mr Lavrov and, Mr Shanel says the Solomon Islands will not be involved in any chequebook diplomacy.

Mr Shanel said he hopes Solomon's diplomatic relations with Russia will be formalised in October, when he meets Mr Lavrov, at the United Nations General Assembly..

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Calls for Fiji banks to go easy on flood victims

Last Updated: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +1100

Fiji's Consumer Council has called on the nation's banks to follow the lead of other financial institutions in offering relief to flood stricken customers.

Council CEO Premila Kumar has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat program one financial institution had opted to suspend home and personal loan payments for up to three months and customers with term deposit accounts could break their term deposit period with no fees.

Ms Kumar says the banks could do much more and she's urged Fijians to shop around to ensure they're getting the best deal.

"We've seen LICI suspending its interest for six months, and that's what we would like to see banks doing but unfortunately the banks are not suspending their interests.

"They're just giving holiday relief for three months or up to six months, which simply means that the interest will accumulate and the customers have to pay for it," she said.

Ms Kumar also encouraged consumers to take advantage of relief packages offered by financial companies but is warning people about taking out unnecessary loans that could push them further into debt.

She said financial institutions need to be transparent with consumers who seek additional loans and the onus is also on customers to read and understand before signing any documents.

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Radio Australia News - Pacific News Email - Tuesday

2012-02-06T23:00:00.001-08:00

Pacific News Email for Tuesday, 7 February 2012

-------------------------------

O'Neill, Somare ordered to appear before Supreme Court

Last Updated: Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:19:00 +1100

Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court has ordered both sides in the country's constitutional crisis to appear before the bench on Tuesday.

The order applies to Prime Minister Peter O'Neill and his cabinet and to former prime minister Sir Michael Somare and his supporters.

The country's two avowed police commissioners, and chiefs of defence have also been summonsed.

The moves comes just days after Mr O'Neill announced the suspension of Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia, pending an investigation into allegations of misconduct.

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Vanuatu braces for Cyclone Jasmine

Last Updated: Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:01:00 +1100

Weather forecasters say a cyclone heading towards Vanuatu may pass close to shore and not hit the country directly.

A yellow cyclone alert is in force ahead of the cyclone's arrival on Tuesday night.

But Neville Koop from the Nadraki weather office in Suva told Radio Australia there is uncertainty surrounding the cyclone's exact path.

"It may avoid the islands directly and stay somewhat to the west of the southern islands," he said.

Cyclone Cyril
Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Cyril is north of Tonga, bringing with it strong winds.

Cyril is located about 740 kilometres east of Fiji, and heading east, south east.

It is also expected to affect flood-stricken Fiji.

A cyclone alert has been declared across most of Tonga, with high seas expected in Fiji.

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'Within 20 minutes it just sank': ferry survivors

Last Updated: Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:31:00 +1100

The survivors of last week's Papua New Guinea ferry disaster have begun describing what happened on board the ill fated MV Rabaul Queen.

The ferry sank enroute to Lae with most of its passengers children and students travelling to the city to begin the school year.

Many of those onboard the MV Rabaul Queen when it sank last week were from the Autonomous Region of Bogainville, and its President John Momis is in Lae meeting and talking to survivors. about what happened.

"As they were talking amongst themselves, the ship just capsized," he said.

"Within 20 minutes it just sank. It looks as if those in the lower deck were not able to get out".

So far 246 survivors have been rescued, but there is uncertainty about how many were actually onboard.

The PNG government says it will hold an inquiry into the disaster.

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WHO says prevention is key to tackling cancer in the Pacific

Last Updated: Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:58:00 +1100

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on governments in the Pacific to improve screening and vaccination programs in an effort to bring down rates of cancer.

In 2008, the Western Pacific accounted for 32 per cent of the world's cancer sufferers.

"Cancer is one of the one of the main non-communicable diseases that we're trying to address in the Pacific," the WHO's Coordinator of Noncommunicable Disease (NCD) and Health Promotion in Fiji, Dr Temo Waqanivalu, told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat program.

The most common cancers among men in the Western Pacific are of the lung, stomach, liver, colorectum and oesophagus, while in women it mostly affects the breast, lung, stomach, colorectum and liver.

Dr Temo Waqanivalu says early diagnosis could help improve survival rates significantly, though he recognised that many Pacific Island countries did not have the resources to follow-up a diagnosis with treatment.

He said that encouraging people to avoid unhealthy diets, smoking, alcohol abuse and sedentary lifestyles was an essential and more economical way of reducing the number of cases of the disease.

"The focus we've being having in the Pacific, knowing the limited resources of the health services, is on prevention," Dr Waqanivalu said. "What is known is that at least 40 percent of these cancers could actually be prevented, knowing that in the later stages of these cancers the survival rate is quite low and very low given the limited resources that health services can offer in the Pacific."

According to the WHO, cancer is responsible for close to 13% of deaths worldwide and accounted for 7.6 million deaths in 2008.

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Radio Australia News - Pacific News Email - Monday

2012-02-05T23:00:00.001-08:00

Pacific News Email for Monday, 6 February 2012

-------------------------------

Newcrest accused of river leak in Fiji

Last Updated: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:38:00 +1100

A leading Australian environmental engineer says photos of pollution from Newcrest's Namosi gold and copper exploration site, in Fiji, suggest heavy metals and sulphuric acid have been released into the environment.

The photos, taken by concerned landowners, show a plume of cloudy water in the Waidina River, collapsed banks and a leaking drill site.

Namosi is in rugged terrain on Fiji's main island of Viti Levu, 30kms west of Suva.

Dr Gavin Mudd, Senior Lecturer in Engineering at Monash University, told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat the toxicity of the metals and acid should not be underestimated.

"There's two key aspects from the photos that stand out to me," he said.

"One is the amount of sediment and erosion problems going on there".

"But the other one which I think is more serious is what we call acid mine drainage".

Dr Mudd said acid mine drainage can cause serious problems for aquatic life ecosystems.

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Pay dispute drives Vanuatu workers from Australia

Last Updated: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:06:00 +1100

Australia's seasonal worker scheme has suffered another setback, just weeks after the government announced the scheme would be made permanent.

About 30 workers from Vanuatu have quit their jobs on a farm in the Victorian rural town of Swan Hill and returned home.

They said they signed a contract for an hourly rate of pay, which was changed to a performance-based piece rate soon after they arrived.

But their former employers say there were performance issues within the group and several workers had breached their contracts.

The case is now being investigated by Australia's Fair Work Ombudsman and the outcome will be closely scrutinised for any repercussions it might have for the seasonal worker scheme.

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NZ Law Society bans Fiji job ads

Last Updated: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:20:00 +1100

New Zealand's Law Society has defended its decision to ban ads for legal positions in Fiji in its magazine Law Talk.

Last week, the office of Fiji's Director of Public Prosecutions, had a number of ads for vacancies refused, with an email explaining that the Society would not promote jobs under the current interim military government.

Fiji's Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde - who is from New Zealand - maintains his office is independent.

But, the president of the New Zealand Law Society, Johnathan Temms, told Radio Australia they have evidence to the contrary.

"For the most part, everyone recognises that the judiciary up there have had their independence long since circumscribed and so people aren't talking about it every day," he said.

"We're just aware that they've had to buy in a number of judges and the judicial system there is under heavy pressure".

Mr Temms was adament his law society wouldn't help the Bainimarama regime.

"The New Zealand Law Society will not advertise military legal positions in Fiji under the current regime," he said.

But Mr Pryde criticised that stance.

"It's really up to New Zealand lawyers to decide for themselves if they want to work in Fiji or not," he said.

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Hopes fading for ferry survivors

Last Updated: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:40:00 +1100

PNG authorities have extended the search for survivors from last week's ferry disaster to coastal areas, to see if any passengers made it to shore.

But authorities have warned it is unlikely they will find more survivors.

The ferry was traveling from the New Britain province to Lae when it sank, with an estimated 350 on board.

Merchant vessels came to the aid of passengers, as well as emergency authorities from Australia and PNG.

So far 246 people have been rescued.

Several bodies were found in the water over the weekend, and have been brought to Lae.

Those who were plucked to safety also remain in Lae.

Lae Chamber of Commerce President Alan McClay has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat they are doing what they can for the survivors.

"Very miserable and of course they've lost all their possessions and we've managed to put together a few clothes and blankets for them. There's a desperate need now for the supply of clothes," he said.

The passenger ferry, MV Rabaul Queen, sank on Thursday after being hit by what its operator described as a freak wave between the popular New Britain dive spot Kimbe and Lae, carrying 351 passengers and 12 crew.

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-------------------------------

Earthquake strikes off Vanuatu

Last Updated: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:22:00 +1100

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake has hit off the coast of Vanuatu.

No tsunami warning has been issued.

The US Geological Survey says the quake struck around 123 kilometres southwest of the capital Port Vila at 3:40 AM Vanuatu time.

The Hong Kong Observatory gave the quake a magnitude of 6.5 while Geoscience Australia registered it as 6.3. It had a depth of four kilometres.

There are no immediate reports of casualties or damage and the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has not issued a tsunami warning.

Seismologist Eddie Leask, from Geoscience Australia, has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat it's the latest in a series of tremors in recent days.

"This was an aftershock to be precise," he said.

"A couple of days ago at about half past midnight on the third of February our time, there was a magnitude 7.3 near Vanuatu in roughly the same region, and since then there's been, we've measured eleven earthquakes over magnitude five in the region, including six over magnitude six."

Cyclone Jasmine
Meanwhile, a tropical cyclone is strengthening as it makes its way towards Port Vila in Vanuatu.

The Vanuatu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre says Cyclone Jasmine which is currently a category two cyclone is moving in an easterly direction.

Suva-based Nadraki weather expert, Neville Koop, has told Radio Australia it's currently due north of north western tip on New Caledonia.

"It's probably another 12 to 18 hours away from affecting Vanuatu yet, but it is intensifying as it moves almost due east out of the Coral Sea and into Vanuatu," Mr Koop said.

"It has developed quite nicely overnight and is starting to show, all indications of becoming a stronger cyclone, perhaps a category three by later today."

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Fiji spared more flooding

Last Updated: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:04:00 +1100

Weather forecasters say Fiji has been fortunate to escape more flooding, after a series of depressions threatened the Pacific nation.

But conditions remain volatile throughout the region, with tropical Cyclone Jasmine moving towards Vanuatu, and heavy rainfall in Solomon Islands.

Suva-based Nadraki weather expert, Neville Koop, has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat it is been an anxious wait for people living in flood-affected areas in Fiji's Western Division.

"We've had four depressions move past us in the past week and we were waiting for one of them to produce enough rain to push the rivers back into flood but fortunately for us none of them could quite do it," he said.

"The rainfall just seemed to be insufficient each time and fortunately...we haven't had the same level of flooding that we had back about a week ago."

Severe flooding in Fiji's west has killed six people and forced thousands to evacuate their homes.

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Radio Australia News - Pacific News Email - Friday

2012-02-02T23:00:00.001-08:00

Pacific News Email for Tuesday, 31 January 2012

-------------------------------

PNG soldiers 'were led astray', says PM

Last Updated: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:10:00 +1100

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill, says the troops involved in last week's failed military mutiny were led astray by desperate politicians.

Mr O'Neill says cabinet has approved the amnesty promised to the mutineers on Monday.

Last week, around 30 soldiers briefly took the defence force commander hostage, and demanded Sir Michael Somare be reinstated as prime minister.

The troops handed in their weapons on Monday in exchange for amnesty. Mr O'Neill says they will be given a second chance.

In a statement, he says the soldiers were "misled, used and led astray by desperate politicians, their masters and cronies".

While the soldiers have been granted amnesties the man who led them, Colonel Yaura Sasa, is languishing in a prison cell charged with inciting mutiny.

Mr O'Neill says the government has directed police to "investigate and deal with" any civilians involved in the failed mutiny.

Crediting rating downgrade
The ongoing political wranglings in Papua New Guinea have had an economic cost, with Standard & Poor's has revised its outlook for PNG's long-term sovereign credit rating from stable to negative.

The ratings agency says the move has been made due to the continuing political uncertainty at the top.

Standard & Poor's lead analyst for PNG, Kyran Curry, says a change to negative reflects a one third chance that the agency will lower the country's ratings within the next two years.

"It's saying to us that there is a heightened political risk in PNG," he said.

"And let's be right, there's always been significant political risk in PNG and it reflects the tribal nature of the society there, but fundamentally what we've been seeing over the last 12 months has been more political risks than usual, and we see it threatening the engagement of investors and donors, which are sorely needed in PNG."

Political uncertainty
PNG has been in a state of political limbo since a Supreme Court ruling returned former prime minister Sir Michael Somare to power.

He had been removed from his position as prime minister and as an MP because of the amount of time he had spent in Singapore receiving medical treatment.

But Parliament has continued to support Prime Minister Peter O'Neill rather than recognise the court's ruling.

An early election would end the dispute for the prime ministership and give the country political certainty, but so far Mr O'Neill has resisted asking Parliament to call elections early.

And doubts have been raised over PNG's ability to hold early elections to decide just who is the prime minister.

The director of the think-tank, the Institute of National Affairs Papua New Guinea, Paul Barker, has told Radio Australia's Asia Pacific, it is not guaranteed the country can hold elections on time, let alone early.

"Just recently I understand they had a cabinet submission, where they were hearing or even suggested a deferral of one month, to the whole election, on the basis that some of the Highlands seats, particularly the electoral rolls were not ready," he said.

"So, the Electoral Commissioner said, 'No, no it's not true, they are read and they will be ready,' but he wasn't saying that they'd be ready in advance".

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Somare seeks contempt charges against O'Neill

Last Updated: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:38:00 +1100

Papua New Guinea's former prime minister Sir Michael Somare has filed contempt proceedings against the parliament elected PM, Peter O'Neill and his deputy Belden Namah.

Sir Michael's lawyers are accusing Peter O'Neill and Belden Namah of not recognising a Supreme Court ruling last year which ordered Sir Michael be reinstated as prime minister.

They are asking the court to order Mr O'Neill and Mr Namah to be arrested and charged with contempt.

Sir Michael's son, Arthur Somare, who remains suspended as an MP, claims the chair is being occupied by Peter O'Neill illegally.

''The contempt proceedings that are before the court will hopefully and finally assist us and the court determine who the legitimate government is for Papua New Guinea," he said.

He said he fears that even if the courts find Mr O'Neill and Mr Namah and guilty of contempt, it's most likely police will not arrest them and will not enforce the orders as the police are under the control of the O'Neill-Namah Government.

Prime Minister O'Neill said his government will fight the contempt charges vigorously and will have them dropped.

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Flood-hit Fiji braces for cyclone

Last Updated: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:09:00 +1100

Fiji is bracing for a cyclone which could reignite the country's flood crisis, as the clean-up from last week's flooding continues.

A tropical depression is heading towards Fiji and meteorologists say it could become a cyclone.

The accompanying rain could have a devastating effect on Western district, which is already struggling to cope after the recent deluge.

At least six people have died from the floods and a state of disaster is still in place for Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Sigatoka and Rakiraki.

The Fiji Red Cross is leading relief efforts, providing drinking water, clothing, first aid treatment and health awareness for flood victims.

Director-General Christopher Ho has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat more than a thousand families have already been affected, and more rain could make things much worse.

"The grounds are already saturated and it wouldn't take much now for another greater havoc to be created," he said.

"With the rains and the strong winds, the possibility for the situation to compound is very high.

"We will be assessing, in terms of the provision of relief, we will need to monitor that very, very closely at this stage, mainly due to the sense that we've already assisted most of the communities that have been isolated, but if we have this situation it could be a double up in terms of our efforts."

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PNG rating downgrade amid political uncertainty

Last Updated: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:15:00 +1100

The ongoing political wranglings in Papua New Guinea have had an economic cost, with Standard & Poor's has revised its outlook for PNG's long-term sovereign credit rating from stable to negative.