NEWSROOM 27 March
2009

(Photos: Department of Labour)

NEW ZEALAND: Registration opens for Samoa Quota/Pacific Access Category ballots
Source: Department of Labour Press Release
 

(Photo: Cherelle Jackson)

SAMOA: Traffic change drives Samoa into turmoil
Source: Australian Associated Press via TVNZ

Samoans are bracing themselves for a crash, and not the type triggered by the global financial crisis.

The tiny South Pacific nation is six months away from switching to driving Australian-style on the left side of the road after more than a century on the right.

The move, set down for midnight on September 7, is driving the country into political and financial turmoil, with many predicting "total chaos" nationwide.

"So we just wake up one morning and pull out of our driveways onto the other side of the road, do we?" says Toleafoa Toailoa, who heads People Against Switching Sides (PASS).

"Cars are going to crash, people are going to die, not to mention the huge expense to our small country.

"It will be a nightmare and for very little benefit from what we can see."

Samoa and its closest neighbour, American Samoa, have been driving on the right since a period of German rule between 1900 and 1914.

All other South Pacific nations do the opposite.

The switch is the brain child of Samoa's prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele, who announced the change without a referendum in late 2007 and has been unrepentant since.

"It's pure commonsense and anyone who says otherwise is not thinking properly," Tuilaepa told AAP.

His argument is that more than 90% of Samoans choose to emigrate to Australia or New Zealand, "so having the same traffic laws will just make it less complicated when they go, and when they come back to visit".

The 250,000 Samoans living in these countries would also be able to easily send cars home to their extended families.

And Samoa could import second-hand right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles from Japan, a cheaper option than the more expensive, gas guzzling American left-hand drives (LHDs), which have dominated streets in the capital Apia.

"People will be able to afford cars for the first time," Tuilaepa says.

But the logic of the change is lost on most.

It has triggered two of the biggest protests in the country's history, with 20,000 of the 180,000 residents taking to the streets with banners each time.

More than 30,000 people signed a petition and a political party, called the People's Party, was spawned.

"The public wanted to be consulted but instead they were just told," says Toailoa.

"It smacks in the face of good governance.

"Imagine if the prime minister of Australia just woke up one morning and informed the nation they would soon be driving on the other side.

"There'd be a riot, I'm sure."

Then, says Toailoa, there are the "nightmarish" practicalities of the change.

At present, 85% of the country's 20,000 cars are American-style LHDs.

"That means when the new law comes in drivers will be sitting on the far edges of the road and inviting crashes," he says.

"And everyone, including pedestrians, is going to have to relearn a whole new set of rules, not without serious mishaps I'm sure."

A training loop has been set up in Apia town centre to help drivers get the hang of the new rule, but Toailoa says drivers have been too terrified to use it.

Sweden and Iceland were the last countries to swap sides, moving from left to right in the early 1960s, also without popular support.

"But their cars were already left hand drive and they had to link up properly with their neighbours," he says.

"It made perfect sense for them, but we're not in Europe and we don't have the money, the infrastructure or the planning to pull it off."

Business people have also baulked at the change, with Samoa's Chamber of Commerce estimating it will cost the economy at least

790 million Samoan tala ($NZD 488 million) to initiate.

Car dealers are hurting the most. Hyundai importer, Perth man Ken Newton, says his annual sales of 250 cars halted on the day the change was announced.

"No one has wanted to buy a left-hand drive since and there's an absolute reluctance to buy a right-hand drive so we've been buggered," says Newton, who has borrowed heavily and started importing second-hand vehicles to compete.

The 40 vehicles in his rental car company will also have to be replaced because tourists would not drive LHDs, he says.

"We're hurting, and there's no logic, no explanation, just madness.

"As far as we're concerned the prime minister has flipped a lid."

But Tuilaepa won't back down.

He says the costs are manageable, four million Samoan tala ($NZD 2.3 million) in the first year, and he argues the streets will be safer than ever.

"All this talk about accidents is just stupid," the prime minister says.

"The 7th and the 8th are holidays to help people get used to it, and then after that they'll be driving more carefully than ever because it will be so different."

The change is still not a fait accompli however, with PASS launching a court challenge to determine the legality of the act that will bring about the change.

PASS claims the provisions of the act are unconstitutional and void, but Tuilaepa has little time for the debate.

"It's happening. These people just need to get used to it."

Photo Caption: A bumper sticker protesting the proposed change to right-hand drive vehicles.
 

(Photo: Australian Government)

AUSTRALIA: Australian Leadership Awards for Samoa's current and future leaders
Source: Australian High Commission Press Release
 

Scholarship opportunities in Australia for Samoa’s current and future leaders are now available through the prestigious Australian Leadership Awards (ALA) Scholarship.

The ALA scholarships, valued at more than ST$300,000 each, are funded by the Australian Government through AusAID. Applications for the 2010 academic year close on 30 June 2009.

Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Matt Anderson said applications are now open for 2010 to high achievers from Samoa to undertake postgraduate study in Australia and to participate in a leadership development program.

“Through these leadership awards, the next group of Samoan leaders will be able to extend their education and participate in a unique development program to enhance their leadership skills, build networks and increase their understanding of regional development challenges,” Mr Anderson said.

“These scholarships are highly competitive, based on outstanding leadership qualities and academic achievement.”

Mr Anderson said study programs must relate to the Australian aid program’s priority areas of disability, economic growth, education, environment, food security, gender, governance, health, human rights, infrastructure, regional stability, rural development and water and sanitation.

“As part of the scholarship, a leadership development program is offered to all ALA scholars, which includes a three day conference in Canberra, regional workshops, leadership coaching and practice opportunities.”

“The leadership program will help scholars to develop their full leadership potential and understanding of development challenges at national, regional and global levels.”

Mr Anderson said scholarships are offered each year to current and emerging leaders in the Asia-Pacific region who have the potential to influence social and economic policy reform and development outcomes, both in their own countries and in the region.

He said 50 scholarships were awarded to students from countries within the Asia Pacific region to study at Australian universities in 2009, including 15 scholarships from Pacific countries.

Previous and current Samoan Australian Leadership Awards scholars include:

2009
Michael Soonalole, Chief Inspector/Legal Advisor of Ministry of Police and Prisons - pursuing a Masters Degree in Law at the University of New South Wales.

2008
Faaolo Utumapu, a Hansard Officer for the Ministry of the Legislative Assembly will soon complete a Masters Degree in Communications and Media Studies at Monash University in Melbourne.

Mau Simanu, a Senior Lecturer at the National University of Samoa has completed a Masters Degree in Engineering Management at the University of Technology in Sydney.

2007
Faamao Ualesi, a Senior Scholarship Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has completed a Masters Degree in Business Administration at Curtin University in Perth.

Mema Motusaga, a Senior Youth Officer at the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development has completed a Masters Degree in Community Development at Victoria University in Melbourne.

For more information on ALA Scholarships, please visit www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/default.cfm or contact Leota Valma Galuvao at AusAID on 23411 or email [email protected]
 

(Photo: State Quarters)

USA: 2009 DC & US Territories Quarter Program American Samoa Quarter
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega has announced that the American Samoa Quarter has been scheduled for release on July 27, 2009. American Samoa would follow Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam in the release schedule for the 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program. The one-year initiative was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008 that Congress passed and became law on December 26, 2007 (P.L. 110-161).

Initially, the U.S. Territories were left out when Congress passed the Commemorative Coin Program Act in 1997, which authorized a ten year program to honour the states by minting twenty-five cent coins to commemorate each of the 50 states through state-specific designs on one side of the coins. According to the enacting language, five states would be honoured each year. Since 1997, representatives from D.C. and the U.S. Territories have been proposing legislation that would amend the popular 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act to include 6 new designs emblematic of the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

In 2007, Congress finally granted authorization to honour D.C. and the U.S. Territories by minting twenty-five cent coins to commemorate each of them through specific designs on one side of the coins. In designing the coins, authorization was granted also to include participation from the District or territorial officials, artists from the District of Columbia or the territory, engravers of the United States Mint, and members of the general public.

The final design selected by the U.S. Mint for the American Samoa quarter features the tanoa, fue, and the to’oto’o against a background image of the coastline. The inscriptions on the coin read “American Samoa”, “Samoa Muamua Le Atua”, “E Pluribus Unum” and the date. The reverse design was by Stephen Clark and sculpted by Charles Vickers.

“This program recognizes the importance of the District of Columbia and the U.S. Territories and I want to acknowledge the support of some of my colleagues in Congress. Congressman Mike Castle of Delaware has been unwavering in his support over the years on this important issue. In addition, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton provided leadership and support over the years in introducing legislation in the House of Representatives to include Washington, D.C. and the Territories. Finally, I want to extend my gratitude to my colleagues from Guam, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands, for their efforts and hard work on this particular issue,” Faleomavaega said.

“On behalf of American Samoa, I believe it is only fitting for Congress to acknowledge our relationship with the United States with the issuance of a commemorative coin. American Samoa has a long and proud history of supporting the United States. The Tutuila harbour was used as a coaling station for U.S. naval ships in the early part of the century and as a support base for the United States during WWII,” Faleomavaega explained.

“American Samoa also has a per capita enlistment rate in the U.S. military that is as high as any State or U.S. Territory. Our sons and daughters have served in record numbers in every U.S. military engagement from WWII to present operations in our war against terrorists. Indeed, the latest numbers on the Iraq War show American Samoa has the highest death rate of 138.8 deaths for every 1 million people, compared to any other U.S. State or Territory. We have stood by the United States in good times and bad and I am pleased this relationship is acknowledged with the issuance of a commemorative coin,” Faleomavaega added.

“While plans for an event to mark the release of this historic quarter are still ongoing, I share with you all a sense of pride and honour in this memorable chapter in the history of our Territory of American Samoa,” Faleomavaega concluded.

Photo Caption: The American Samoa Quarter will be released on July 27, 2009. This will be the fourth release of the 2009 DC & US Territories Quarter Program. This program is a follow up to the popular 50 State Quarters Program.
 

VANUATU: Tapangararua, new China Ambassador
Source: Vanuatu Daily Post

Former Minister for Finance and longtime politician, Willie Jimmy Tapangararua has been endorsed by the Council of Ministers as the new Ambassador to the Peoples Republic of China.
According to decision 34 of 2009 “the appointment shall be effective as soon as the Minister for Foreign Affairs signs the agreement according to the provisions of the Foreign Service Act”.

The Council of Ministers made the decision last Wednesday (March 18, 2009).

The Ministers also approved instruction that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs complete the process for the appointment.

First Political Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Leiasmanu Cullwick said the official appointment of Mr Jimmy will be made as soon as the Minister of Foreign Affairs is discharged from hospital.

“We hope this can take place sometimes this week,” Mrs Cullwick confirmed.

According to reliable sources, the announcement is not a surprise.

When the former Minister of Finance did not pull through in the last election it had been whispered within the group that he would take the post.

There are also reports that the appointment was a ‘give-and-take’ for the two key political parties in Government.

Political commentators say although NUP will not admit this, Tapangararua’s appointment will ease some pressure considering that the NUP Presidency post is also up for grabs sometime later this year.

There is much speculation also within NUP especially after the former Port Vila Member of Parliament made an official complaint to Police and the Ombudsman about both the Secretary General for NUP, and current Minister for Trade, James Bule and his Assistant SG, Clifford Bice over the copra subsidy funds.

Reliable sources say the two candidates short-listed for the post in China were down to Tapangararua and long-time Director to the Foreign Affairs Department, Kalfau Kaloris.

Daily Post was informed that although Tapangararua’s appointment may be political, others have also sidelined the comments saying that his credentials meet the requirements.

He has the experience and is known as a businessman with financial qualification that has been reflected in his political career as one of Vanuatu’s finance ministers.

Meanwhile under Section 2 of the Foreign Service Act “the Council must not recommend to the President a person for appointment unless the person “is qualified and capable of carrying out the required duties at the mission, and has been recommended to the Minister by a selection panel under subsection 9.”

Subsection 9 says “the selection panel must recommend to the Minister all candidates rated suitable by the selection panel, and the Minister must recommend all of those candidates to the Council.”

Under the Foreign Service Act, the panel is made up a representative from the Prime Ministers’ Office, a representative from the Civil Society, a representative from the Office of the Leader for Opposition, the Director General for Foreign Affairs, and the First Political Advisor for Foreign Affairs.

This composition which comprises one civil servant against four politicians has elevated speculation that any such recommendation will inevitably be political and not based on merit.
According to political commentators, the only civil servant who would have got the blessing of both politicians as well as being recommended on merit would have been the current Ambassador for Vanuatu in Brussels, Roy Mickey Joy.

“His appointment was unique. Not only did he have the right qualification but also the credentials in his field to get the prestigious post in Europe,” said our source.

The onus is now on the Government to ensure that such appointments are reflected in their performance while on their three-year contract.
 

(Photo: Secretariat of the Pacific Community)

WORLDWIDE: National reps guide development of joint strategies with SPC
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Community Press Release

Thursday, 26 March 2009, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Headquarters, Noumea - In collaboration with Pacific governments, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has to date developed joint country strategies for over half its 22 island member countries and territories. These strategies outline, in one integrated document, the full scope of SPC’s assistance to individual Pacific Community members over a defined period, based on the country’s own priorities and national development strategy.

SPC Director-General, Dr Jimmie Rodgers, says “For SPC, the joint country strategies underpin our working relationship with our members. They describe the services our programmes will provide in each country, from training and technical assistance to policy advisory services, and above all, they identify priority areas and activities very clearly. This is important when there are limited resources, and when new challenges are emerging.”

Already this year, joint country strategy missions have been completed for Palau, Tonga and Wallis and Futuna. Four more missions remain for 2009 - to American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, French Polynesia and Samoa.

On 17 March 2009, the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia endorsed its joint country strategy with SPC, bringing the number of formally approved strategies to eight with more expected to be endorsed soon.

Richard Mann, SPC’s Deputy Director-General, attributes the positive feedback received on the joint strategies to the participatory and pragmatic approach taken in their development. “Essentially, the process is an opportunity to listen carefully and to respond to the directions that national stakeholders want SPC to take in delivering its services to their country. In developing the strategies, SPC works with officials at the political and departmental level, as well as with representatives from NGOs and the private sector.” He says that SPC is particularly happy that its partner regional organisations are expressing strong interest in the process. Recent missions have included representatives from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, SOPAC (Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission), SPREP (Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme) and FFA (Forum Fisheries Agency).

Amena Yauvoli, Manager of SPC’s Northern Pacific Office, led the recent mission to Palau. Commenting on its value, Gustav Aitaro, Director, Palau Bureau of International Trade and Technical Assistance, said: “A big and gracious Kom Kmal Mesulag (thank you very much) to the SPC team and to our colleagues from the other regional organisations. The process was an excellent exercise and a learning experience for me and for the members of the Palau team, whom I would also like to thank for their participation and cooperation. To my knowledge, this is the first time such an exercise - with several CROP organisations - has taken place in Palau and been basically guided by country representatives.”

For more information about the joint country strategies, go to SPC’s website (www.spc.int/StrategicFacility/) or contact Alisi Tuqa, Planning Officer ([email protected]).

Photo Caption: Vice-President of Palau, the Honorable Kerai Mariur with Amena Yauvoli, Manager of SPC’s Northern Pacific Office.