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Asian Mafia Alleged
to be in Solomon Islands
12 April 2008 -
Source:
Solomon Times Online
Asian based Mafia may have entered Solomon Islands
through Papua New Guinea setting up a prostitution
ring, allegedly involving three Chinese owned
nightclubs, a restaurant and one general shop in the
centre of Honiara.
Sources within Honiara and Port Moresby have stated
that prostitutes from mainland China may be entering
Honiara through Port Moresby. It is believed that
the arrangement may involve the Asian Mafia, alleged
to be very active in Papua New Guinea, but things
are not entirely clear at this stage.
Reliable sources have revealed that the main
organizer of the scheme is a close relative of a
restaurant owner in Honiara who is currently in
mainland China and is expected to return to Honiara
soon.
It is also believed that the organizer in Honiara
has been dealing with a particular officer within
the immigration department to obtain the visas for
these Mainland Chinese girls, working as prostitutes
in Honiara.
Sources within the Asian community in Honiara have
stated that the main customers for these Mainland
China prostitutes are Malaysian loggers, and logging
ships, that visit Honiara from time to time. Some of
these girls are said to be housed in a secured house
along the Tandai High Way in West Honiara.
The possibility of such a Mafia ring operating
within the Solomon Islands only serves as a reminder
of problems associated with corruption within the
Public Service. Rob McCusker of the Australian
Institute of Criminology, in a paper presented
during a conference in Canberra in 2006, highlighted
the risk posed by inherent weaknesses within many of
the Pacific Islands. "..Economic weaknesses and
their impact upon infrastructure, poverty and
general instability may increase the attractiveness
of the islands to transnational crime."
The revelations of such transnational criminals
entering the Solomon Islands with relative ease are
a huge concern to all right thinking Solomon
Islanders. It is important to note that
transnational criminals may import harden criminals
into the country, our security forces are
ill-equipped to deal with such new threats. This has
the potential to grow and become a real national
security threat to the Solomon Islands now and well
into the future.
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The Solomon Islands
to host first home and away matches
08 April 2008 -
Source:
Radio New Zealand
The Solomon Islands champions Kossa FC will host the
first leg of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC)
O-League final against Waitakere United in Honiara
on the 26th of April with thereturn match in
Auckland a week later.
Waitakere qualified after holding Auckland City to a
draw in their final group match and now have their
sights set on becoming the OFC O-League champions
for the second successive year.
Kossa who finished top of group B qualified for
their first ever OFC O-League final after r beating
Fiji champions Ba.
There will be a strong Solomon Island influence in
the finals when Waitakere duo Benjamin Totori and
Commins Menapi clash with their international
teammates.
The winner will head to Japan later this year for
the FIFA World Club Cup.
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Community leaders in
Western Solomon Islands call for more tents
04 April 2008 -
Source:
Radio New Zealand International
Community leaders in Gizo in Solomon Islands’
Western Province, which was severely affected by
last April’s earthquake and tsunami, want relief
agencies to provide more tents.
They say the ones provided initially are now unfit
for use.
This was an issue raised with the Governor General
Sir Nathaniel Waena when he visited the region
during commemorations of the disaster.
The leaders told Sir Nathaniel that the tents they
have are rotting after continuous exposure to rain
and sunshine.
One village chief says the decaying tents have
encouraged many displaced people to return to their
devastated homes because they are seen as a better
alternative.
One woman representative told Sir Nathaniel that in
this situation it is the women, the children and the
elderly who continue to suffer.
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Solomon Island
Fisheris Ministry optimistic of good tuna revenue
31 March 2008 -
Source:
Radio New Zealand International
The Solomon Islands Ministry of Fisheries hopes to
collect 13 and a half million dollars in government
revenue for the first time this year.
The Fisheries Minister, Nollen Leni, told Parliament
this would be the highest total his ministry had
aimed to collect for the past 30 years.
He said last year, the ministry collected more than
12 and a half million US dollars due to favourable
fishing and high tuna prices.
The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation reports
that Mr Leni also told Parliament that Solomon
Islands had more than enough tuna stocks within its
Exclusive economic Zone.
He said the recent EU funded regional tuna tagging
programme had estimated a total allowable catch of
120-thousand tonnes; a level which had, so far,
never been exceeded.
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Solomon Islands
Finance Minister removes goods tax on rice
27 March 2008 -
Source:
Radio New Zealand International
The Solomon Islands Finance Minister, Synder Rini,
has announced a tax increase on beer and tobacco and
will abolish the goods tax on rice.
In the second reading of the National Budget 2008,
Mr Rini told Parliament of the decision.
“This will benefit all our people as rice makes up a
relatively large part of their expenditure. To help
fund the removal of goods tax on rice the government
will increase the rate of tax on a number of goods
which are currently subject to low tax. I am
therefore obliged to also announce that there will
be a 20 percent increase in the rate of excise on
tobacco and beer and an increase in the gaming tax
to 35 percent.”
The Solomon Islands Finance Minister, Synder Rini.
The debate on the 1-point-4 billion dollar budget
will begin Thursday.
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Energy agreement for
Solomon Islands
23 March 2008 -
Source:
ABC Radio Australia
The Solomon Islands Minister for Mines and Energy
Edward Huniehu and World Bank representative,
Antonie de Wilde have signed an agreement for joint
participation in the creation of sustainable and
alternative energy in the country.
Sibconline reports the signing took place in Honiara
before Mr Wilde flew back to Washington.
Mr Huniehu says the document, which spelt out the
potential and viable sources of energy development,
is part of on-going research.
He says the concept is to develop alternative energy
using hydro-power.
A Cabinet Paper is expected to be prepared on areas
of energy development for the executive government
to endorse.
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Prime Minister visits
Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands
19 March 2008 -
Source:
Relief Web
From 6-8 March 2008 Prime Minister, the Hon. Kevin
Rudd MP, along with Parliamentary Secretary for
International Development the Hon. Bob McMullan MP
and Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island
Affairs the Hon. Duncan Kerr SC MP, visited Papua
New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
The visit to PNG commenced with a round of meetings
in Port Moresby where Prime Minister Rudd met with
the Right Honorable Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare,
Prime Minister of PNG and members of the PNG
Cabinet.
The two Prime Ministers held a joint press
conference where they signed and announced the Port
Moresby Declaration which symbolises Australia's new
approach to the region. The core of the Declaration
will see Australia begin to negotiate Pacific
Partnerships for Development with the nations of the
Pacific.
The Australian and PNG Governments also began
dialogue on long term cooperation on reducing
greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and
forest degradation.
Other announcements during the visit to PNG
included:
- $13 million to NGOs working across PNG with people
affected by HIV and AIDS.
- Up to $25 million increase in development funding
in 2008-09 to help PNG meet its Millennium
Development Goals.
- $260,000 package to help develop sport in PNG.
In Solomon Islands Prime Minister Rudd held
bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Derek
Sikua on a range of issues, including the Regional
Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, Pacific
development partnerships, and Australia's bid to
host the Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting in
2009.
Other announcements during the visit to Solomon
Islands included:
- $3 million additional funding for the
rehabilitation and maintenance of rural roads.
- $1.5 million further funding for the construction
of shelters in communities affected by the April
2007 earthquake and tsunami.
- Up to $10 million in additional assistance in
2008-09 to support work in priority areas, including
in infrastructure development, health, technical
education and reforestation.
The visits herald a bright future of cooperation on
many levels between both Governments.
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Stakeholders urged to
address Youth
15 March 2008 -
Source: SIDT/ FSPI
The Solomon Islands Development Trust (SIDT) and the
Under Secretary for the Ministry of Health and
Medical Services, Dr. George Malefoasi today
launched the “Youth and Mental Health in Solomon
Islands: A Situation Analysis” report on behalf of
the Minister of Health Honorable Mr.
Johnson Koli. Written by Dr Christine Jourdan, who
worked with a team of community based Solomon Island
youth researchers, the report highlights major
mental health related issues affecting the youth of
Solomon Islands and recommends the way forward for
youth development.
The report reveals stark findings, which is the tip
of the iceberg. Lack of education, high rate of
unemployment, loss of self identity due to rapidly
changing society and the ‘tenson’ the period of
civil unrest were found to be the major contributors
to mental ill health among youth in Honiara.
Findings in the report indicate that youth in the
Solomon Islands and Honiara in particular, face the
negative impacts of substance abuse, inadequate
education, lack of employment opportunities,
depression, violence, sexual abuse, poverty, gender
disparity and suicide.
According to the Household Income and Expenditure
Survey (HIES, 2006), there is a 75% unemployment
rate of 15-24 year olds, which has increased 15%
since 2002. The reported attempted suicide rate in
Honiara alone, within a nine month period, was found
to be very high. Between January and August 2007,
there were 41 suicides of which 35 were females and
6 were males. Many of these occurred within the
younger population1.
“The report is invaluable. It provides the actual
situation of the country in relation to youth and
mental health”, said Dr. Malefoasi. “The data and
information sets out the baseline parameters and
should help all stakeholders plan and allocate
appropriate resources in supporting the
recommendations entailed in the report”, he said.
Ms Jennifer Wate, Executive Coordinator of Solomon
Islands Development Trust (SIDT) added “the report
provides insight into how young people deal with the
many pressing issues. They are struggling to cope
with life, the demands of social change and
urbanisation”. The report provided a real voice for
youth to share their life stories and how they try
to manage these challenges. In some instances it
illustrates how they make decisions that have
negative impacts on their life.
Along with these impacts, the report also makes
valuable recommendations on how to address these
issues. “The recommendations highlighted in this
report cannot be taken for granted. The report calls
for a greater focus by everyone to reduce mental ill
health and improve coping strategies, because mental
health is everyone’s business”, said Ms Wate. “The
challenge is for everyone at the family level,
community levels and national level to develop
programs and create opportunities to address these
issues and to create a policy environment which is
respectful of the rights of those with mental ill
health, to prevent discrimination against them”, she
said.
Dr. Malefoasi supported this by saying “The report
sets the basis for all key stakeholders to work
towards a common framework to address the issues
around youth and mental health.”
The launch was attended by key national stakeholders
in the Solomon Islands, regional agencies, donors
and the media. The report is an initiative by the
Youth and Mental Health project coordinated by SIDT,
supported by the Foundation of the People of the
South Pacific International (FSPI) and funded by
NZAID. A full copy of the report is available online
at www.fspi.org.fj
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New Zealand To Help
Build Solomon Islands Homes
11 March 2008 -
Source:
Pacific Magazine
Thousands of homes damaged or destroyed by
earthquake and tsunami in the Solomon Islands last
April are to be rebuilt with help from New Zealand,
Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced today.
“Funding from New Zealand of $1.5 million over two
years will help communities in Western Province
rebuild and repair around 3500 houses,” Mr Peters
said.
“This assistance will complement $3 million provided
by Solomon Islands Government, which has been
distributed through members of parliament. Australia
is also providing $A1.6 million to help rebuild
homes on Gizo island and in Choiseul province.
“The funding forms part of New Zealand’s $7.5
million tsunami recovery package announced last
year, which also included support for rebuilding
schools and improving the livelihoods of rural
fishers.
“The government’s international aid agency, NZAID,
will work with World Vision in the Solomons to
supply equipment and materials for the rebuilding
work, as well as training builders in techniques
that will ensure houses have greater stability in
any future earthquakes,” Mr Peters said.
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Taiwan offers to
finish Parliament house job
07 March 2008 -
Source:
Solomon Star
Taiwan has a “surprise gift” for the people of
Solomon Islands and democracy – the completion of
the multi-million dollar National Parliament
Building project in Honiara. But only if Honiara
agrees to host next year’s Taiwan-Pacific Allies
summit.
News of the gift will be broken to Prime Minister
Dr. Derek Sikua and his delegation, now visiting
Taiwan. Dr. Sikua is in Taiwan “to get acquainted”
with the President, Vice President and Ministers.
This follows an invitation from Taiwan’s President
Chen Shui-bian during a phone call December 27 last
year, Republic of China, Taiwan, Ambassador George
Chan told the Solomon Star.
Foreign Minister William Haomae, Police, National
Security Minister Samuel Manetoali and senior
officials are in Prime Minister Sikua’s delegation.
Ambassador Chan said: “The completion of your
National Parliament will be a gift from the
Government and people of Taiwan to the people of
Solomon Islands. ”But it is up to the Solomon
Islands government if it is willing to host the
Taiwan-Pacific Allies summit next March.”
Taiwan is understood to have offered funding the
project to mark the hosting of the summit, which
Solomon Islands has already agreed to do.
“It will be a gift in recognition of that event
which is very important to Taiwan’s relations with
its Pacific allies,” Mr Chan said.
Initial funding for the National Parliament Project,
dubbed the symbol of democracy, came from the United
States. It was a gift to the people of Solomon
Islands. Stage One of the three stage project cost
about US$5 million [about SBD39 million]. Competed
almost two decades ago, Stage One contains the
Parliament Chamber with circular public galleries,
the Speaker’s Chambers, the Clerk’s Office, a
kitchen, library and three conference rooms.
In the plan on display in Parliament House, Stages 2
and 3 are private offices for Members of Parliament.
As well there are amenities for recreational
activities such as an exercise gym, swimming pool
and tennis courts. Efforts over the years to
get the United States Government to complete the
project have hit a blank.
It is unclear at this stage how soon work will start
on the project. It is also unclear whether formal
tender process would apply in selecting a builder.
FREE EDUCATION
Meanwhile Ambassador Chan confirmed that his embassy
has finally received a detailed proposal on his
country’s offer to pay for trialing free education
here over a two-year period. The project will cost
US$6 million [about SBD$47 million]. It is expected
to take Taiwan’s grant-in-aid to Solomon Islands to
well over SBD$100 million a year.
“Yes, having waited for some time, the proposal has
finally landed on my desk,” he said. The Ambassador
said the free education proposal would be a major
agenda item for discussions during Prime Minister
Sikua’s official visit. Taiwan’s annual grants to
Solomon Islands are estimated at around US$12
million [about SBD$96 million.
This includes SBD$16.7 million to pay for
Government-sponsored students at the University of
the South Pacific in Fiji as well as in universities
in Papua New Guinea. The programme which is
continuing this year is in its third year. The cost
of free education trials will be additional.
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Australian PM to
visit Solomons on Friday after talks in PNG
03 March 2008 -
Source:
Radio New Zealand International
Australia’s Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, is due in
Honiara on Friday for talks with his Solomon
Island’s counterpart, Dr Derek Sikua as well as
other senior ministers.
Mr Rudd has pointed out that Australia plays a
leading role in the reconstruction and nation-
building work of the Regional Assistance Mission to
Solomon Islands.
He said he is committed to using Australia’s
bilateral aid program to assist with the country’s
rural development and infrastructure challenges.
The SIBC says the Australian prime minister will
visit Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, Sir Michael
Somare, on Wednesday.
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World Bank to open
branch in Solomon Islands
28 February 2008 -
Source:
Xinhua
The World Bank is looking to increase its presence
in the South Pacific nation of Solomon Islands with
the setting up of a new office in the capital
Honiara, the Suva-based Pacnews reported on Monday.
The World Bank's vice president for East Asia and
the Pacific region, James Adams, said the bank has
already met with the Solomons' government to discuss
its development plans.
A country manager will be appointed to the Honiara
office, which Adams said will be operational within
several months.
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Solomon Islands,
RAMSI and the Forum hold successful consultations
24 February 2008 -
Source:
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
The Solomon Islands Government, the Regional
Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) and
the Pacific Islands Forum yesterday held their third
round of consultations on RAMSI.
Known as the Enhanced Consultative Mechanism (ECM)
the talks were the first between the three parties
since the election of the Sikua Government.
Opening the ECM, Solomon Islands Foreign Minister,
the Honourable William Haomae, said the frank
discussions possible by officials in past ECM had
allowed the Solomon Islands-RAMSI partnership to
gain in strength and greater understanding.
I wish to assure you that the CNURA (Coalition of
National Unity and Rural Advancement) Government
places high priority in dialogue and consultation to
this partnership and it is only this that we will be
able to resolve our differences amicably.
The work of RAMSI in Solomon Islands is a
partnership between the Government of Solomon
Islands and its regional friends, through greater
cooperation; we can achieve the desired goals for
the benefit of the people of Solomon Islands, he
said.
Senior officials representing the Solomon Islands
Government, RAMSI and four other Forum members took
part in the ECM Meeting held at the Honiara Hotel.
The Forum members included Australia and the past,
present and future chairs of the Forum, Papua New
Guinea, Tonga, and Niue respectively.
The meeting was also the first between the three
parties since Pacific Islands Forum Leaders endorsed
the recommendations of the RAMSI Review Taskforce
Report during the Forum Leaders meeting in Tonga
last October.
Reporting on the Taskforce Report, a taskforce
member, Kaliopate Tavola welcomed the decision to
proceed with the taskforce recommendation that a
Forum Ministerial Standing Committee (FMSC) on RAMSI
be established.
This represents a major change in the governance and
oversight mechanism of RAMSI, Mr Tavola said.
The Ministerial Committee consisting of the Foreign
Ministers of Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon
Islands, Tonga and Australia will hold its inaugural
meeting in Honiara this Friday. The
meeting will be chaired by the Tonga Minister of
Foreign Affairs Minister.
The Taskforce is particularly happy on this
occasion, for in two days time, we will witness the
first ever meeting, here in Honiara, of the FMSC, Mr
Tavola said.
The ministerial committee will continue to be
supported at the officials-level by the Enhanced
Consultative Mechanism meetings and by the
Triumvirate - a group also recommended by the
Taskforce - comprising the Special Coordinator of
RAMSI, the SIG Special Envoy to RAMSI and PIF
Representative to the Solomon Islands.
Mr Tavola said that the Forum endorsement of the
Taskforce Report while not legally binding on any of
the parties did produce a moral obligation.
Forum endorsement I believe did evoke a moral
obligation in the interest of regional solidarity
and credibility particularly as this report
underscores greater regionalization of the
governance of RAMSI.
This is a major bonus to RAMSI and to the region;
and I submit that it is most expedient to protect
and defend it at all costs.
Mr Tavola said the Taskforce also welcomed the SIG
decision to proceed to renew RAMSI mandate for a
further year from July 2007 as provided for in the
FIA (Facilitation of International Assistance) Act.
On the question of legislative changes, (the
Taskforce) welcomes the assurances given it by the
SIG that any proposal to amend the FIA Act in order
to enhance its effectiveness will be the subject of
consultations with all contributing countries.
The meeting, chaired by Tonga Deputy Secretary of
Foreign Affairs Viliami Malolo, also discussed ways
in which RAMSI can support the CNURA Government
policies and priorities and new
briefing mechanisms between RAMSI and the Solomon
Islands Cabinet.
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New houses for Gizo
hospital staff in Solomon Islands Western Province
20 February 2008 -
Source:
Radio New Zealand International
New houses are to be built at Gizo Hospital in
Solomon Islands Western Province with funding from
the Australian Government.
The new houses will replace those swept away in last
year’s tsunami.
The Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Derek Sikua,
and the Australian High Commissioner, Peter Hooton,
turned the first sod at the building site in Gizo
today.
Mr Hooton says local contractors had been identified
and would commence work immediately.
The first six houses are due to be completed within
5 months; with another six complete by December.
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Event Polynesia to
market and promote Toa Samoa RLWC campaign
16 February 2008 -
Source:
eventpolynesia.com
Samoa Rugby League has announced the appointment of
Event Polynesia to market and promote Toa Samoa for
the upcoming Rugby League World Cup, to be held in
Australia starting in October. The arrangement
includes marketing, promotion and fundraising,
starting as soon as possible and includes all
commercial arrangements from now up to and after the
Rugby League World Cup. Details of the partnership
are yet to be finalised, but the two parties are
keen to work together for the betterment of Toa
Samoa’s World Cup Campaign and commercial
arrangements going forward.
“We are so delighted to be working with Event
Polynesia for the World Cup and going forward" said
SRL President Mr Peter Paul.
Toa Samoa RLWC Fundraising will kick-off in mid
April with corporate fights pitching rugby league
legends against those from other sports. It will
also include fights between corporate professionals
pitching CEO’s of the public and private sector
against one another. This will be the first time for
corporate Samoa to enjoy corporate fights, including
wining and dining and cheering on a professional
partner, while at the same time, contributing to and
fundraising for Toa Samoa’s Rugby League World Cup
campaign.
“It is such a relief for us to bring in a
professional event company to take care of marketing
and commercial matters whilst we concentrate on the
administration side of things for the World Cup”
said SRL Secretary General Fritz Tuiavii.
The local Samoa Rugby League competition kicks-off
in early April, with trials set for July and the World Cup squad
to be finalised in August. With the high interest and
participation of our premier Samoan professional rugby league
stars from all over the world, Toa Samoa stands a very positive
chance to make the Semi Finals of the World Cup.
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Aust, Pacific working on
damaged relationship
12 February 2008 -
Source:
ABC Radio Australia
Australia's new Federal Government has embarked on its first
major engagement with the Pacific, with a visit to three
countries in the region by Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign
Affairs Bob McMullan.
Mr McMullan has just returned from a visit to Samoa, Tonga and
Kiribati, a visit that he described as the beginning of a fresh
approach to the Pacific.
Australia's relations with the region have plummeted in recent
years with the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Fiji
accusing Canberra of bullying and interference.
Mr McMullan says the idea is to approach the new relationship as
a team effort and to promote positive communication between the
nations.
"Broadly, the approach is one of much more partnership and
engagement on the basis of mutual respect," he said.
"We're not going to be lecturing or hectoring, we're going to
try and work together with them and I think we set a pretty good
standard with the way we started. The relationships we've
established with ministers and leaders in those countries is
very positive.
"Particularly from a development assistance point of view, we're
working towards the implementation of the Prime Minister's
commitment before the election to a Pacific partnership for
security and development, and that's a top priority for us."
'Won't hike inflation'
Mr McMullan says that despite this new partnership coming at a
time when Australia is tightening budget spending to curb
inflation, aid spending does not affect the inflation level back
home.
"I expect our election commitments to be met. The primary
purpose for the tight budget is to fight inflation in Australia.
Very little of the aid spending occurs in Australia so it
doesn't centrally contribute to inflation," he said.
"AusAID will face the same efficiency dividend requirements of
every other public agency, but to the actual programs the money
doesn't get spent in Australia, so I don't expect that to be
under any significant pressure."
A Senate inquiry in 2003 recommended setting up a common market
in the Pacific, but Mr McMullan says there are already minimum
restrictions on trade between Australia and the Pacific.
"Trade Minister [Simon Crean] is urging the governments of the
Pacific to come together to build further on what's called
PACER, the Pacific Area Closer Economic Relations. It's a long
way short of a common market," he said.
"But for Australia from the Pacific, we are pretty open to their
exports already. We have virtually no barriers to them. They
have some barriers to us, but to be honest, they're not big
export markets of ours.
"We are trying to open up the markets in the Pacific - both
Australia and New Zealand cooperatively with the countries in
the Pacific - but the common PACER Plus, as it's called, the
enhanced closer economic relations is important, but it's really
the area of [Mr] Crean."
Former foreign minister Alexander Downer dismissed the idea of
labour mobility between Australian and the Pacific and Mr
McMullan says the Australian Government will be monitoring the
success of New Zealand's program, before taking any steps to do
the same.
"Prime Minister [Kevin Rudd] said to Solomon Islands Prime
Minister Dr Derek Sikua that we know people in the region think
it's important," he said.
"We're examining the ... New Zealand trial closely. It's a
complex issue in Australia, more because we have a broader
neighbourhood than just the Pacific, so we have to think about
this issue more broadly.
"But we understand its importance. We're looking at the New
Zealand trial very carefully and we're looking to get back to
people in this area as soon as we can."
Aid review
The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI)
program began in 2003, after the Solomon Islands requested aid
from neighbouring countries.
Mr McMullan says the program will need to be reviewed, depending
on the outcome of relationship talks between the nations.
"Most of RAMSI of course doesn't come in my area, but during the
course of next 12 months or so, we have to review the future of
RAMSI because other people are responsible for the detail," he
said.
"I haven't got the timetable directly in front of me, but the
current mandate needs to be renewed, so we'll have to have
another look at our relationship with the Solomon Islands.
"But, the discussions with the new Government in the Solomon
Islands went very well. So, from a development assistance point
of view, I'm very optimistic about the future as it relates to
the Solomon Islands.
"More broadly of course, it's the responsibility of other
people, but from a development assistance point of view, I'm
very optimistic."
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Solomon Islands union says
it did not breach court orders
08 February 2008 -
Source:
Centre for
Independent Studies Press Release
The General Secretary of the Solomon Islands National Union of
Workers says the Union did not breach any court orders in the
ongoing Russell Islands Plantations Estates Limited or RIPEL
saga.
Tony Kagovai was responding to accusations from the General
Manager of RIPEL, John Whiteside, that the Union breached court
orders.
He told the Solomon Times Online that Mr Whiteside should "just
give up" on the RIPEL saga which has been ongoing since 2004.
He explained that the union had issued a 28 days strike notice
to members but the General Manager terminated workers instead
and that’s led to the conflict.
He said this breached Section 10 and has created the dispute
that has gone back and forth from Magistrates Court to High
Court to this day.
Mr Kagovai said that the decision had been made by the Trade
Disputes Panel for Mr Whiteside to be terminated as General
Manager.
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Gaurav Sodhi is a Policy Analyst at the Centre for Independent
Studies, his report ‘Five out of Ten: A Performance Report on RAMSI’
is available at www.cis.org.au.
New South Wales, Australia (Photos: Centre for Independent Studies) |
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Five out of Ten: A
Performance Report on RAMSI
04 February 2008 -
Source:
Centre for
Independent Studies Press Release
The Solomon Islands is stagnating despite thirty
years of aid flows of hundreds of millions of
dollars, innumerable consultants’ reports and
development pledges.
This year will mark the fifth anniversary since
RAMSI (Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon
Islands) forces landed in the Solomon Islands.
Australian Defence Forces efforts have been
successful in returning civil stability. But these
security gains will not last if the underlying
economic stagnation that caused unrest in the
Solomon Islands is not addressed.
In a report being released by the Centre for
Independent Studies on Thursday, Policy Analyst
Gaurav Sodhi asks whether RAMSI’s task has been
achieved and what is left to be done to prevent the
Solomon Islands from becoming the Pacific’s first
failed state.
Sodhi says “the Solomon Islands is better off with
the involvement of RAMSI, but it must address the
real constraints to development. RAMSI has no exit
strategy; its mission is only half complete.”
“Over 85% of the Solomon Islands population is
dependent on subsistence agriculture. The public
service makes up most of the formal economy. Over
the past thirty years since independence, no
development progress has occurred in the areas of
land tenure, infrastructure and education” says
Sodhi.
Under RAMSI’s watch, the Solomon Islands government
has been resurrected, not reformed.
“The Solomon Islands is among the highest per capita
aid recipients in the world. Yet despite the high
volume of aid flows, and perhaps even because of
them, the economy of the Solomon Islands has
stagnated.”
“Aid has not improved governance. It has not
empowered villagers nor built roads, schools or
hospitals. Recommendations for ‘capacity building’
and ‘empowerment’ have been futile.”
If words were a substitute for action, the Solomon
Islands would be rich.
“Unemployment and underemployment threaten the
sustainability of improved peace and security. The
streets of Honiara are filled with unemployed youth
with nothing to do. It is only a matter of time
before frustrations from joblessness and boredom
break out in another spurt of violence.”
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