NEWSPAGE 04 November
2009

(Photo: New Zealand Government)

NEW ZEALAND: A positive future for Pacific families in NZ

(Photo: Samoa Government)

SAMOA: Parliamentary Updates
Source: Government Press Secretariat Press Release

Head of State to Travel to New Zealand

Cabinet has approved the attendance by His Highness the Head of State of Samoa, Afioga Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi of the New Zealand Families Commission’s meeting to be held on the 3rd of November 2009, Auckland, New Zealand.

The objective of the meeting is to publish research results and information collected by the Commission in regards to certain topics such as:

• Changing Composition and the well being of Pacific households in New Zealand,
• Extended family households and their impacts on family well being and youth,
• Parenting experiences of single Pacific parents and the importance of culture as an influence on those experiences and,
• Pacific youths and their involvement in families and communities.

His Highness will deliver the Keynote Address of the meeting.


Chief Executive Officer for Samoa Post Limited

Cabinet has approved the appointment of Tupe Ualolo Nun Yan as the Chief Executive Officer for the Samoa Post Limited for the next three years. This contract is made effective from the 1st of September 2008 - 31st August 2011.

This position was advertised for expression of interest in the middle of last year (2008). The advertisement was later on cancelled and Tupe was appointed as the Manager of the Samoa Post under the Board of Directors.

Nun Yan has worked for the Government for twenty-three years and has served the Samoa Post (while under the Government and as an Independent Body) for a long time. She graduated from the University of the South Pacific in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Economics and Management.


Update on Samoa WTO accession

Cabinet has approved Samoa’s update to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) accession process which is expected to be in the WTO Ministerial Meeting agenda scheduled for November 30th - December 2nd 2009, which could push forward an early conclusion for Samoa’s accession.

The accession process follows two track approaches to multilateral and bilateral negotiations.

Multilateral negotiations deal with national policies relating to Samoa’s trade regime which include:

• Liquor License,
• VAGST Exemption of Primary Producers,
• Turkey Tail Ban,
• Ban on imports of cars older than 12 years,
• Intellectual Property.

Samoa will also hold Bilateral Negotiations discussions with some countries which include the United States, Japan, the European Union and Ukraine.

It has also been highlighted that Samoa’s graduation to become a member of the WTO is much awaited by the member countries and the WTO-Geneva headquarter.


Craig Construction Ltd Awarded Contract

Cabinet has approved Contract awarded to Craig Construction Ltd for installation and servicing of 100 new septic tanks and disposal systems for families living in the coastal area of Apia.

Invitation for Bids was advertised for Expression of interest. 3 Companies showed interest and were assessed by the Sub-Committee according to the guidelines and the criteria of the Tender. Craig Construction Ltd was given the contract after they were assessed as the most favorable candidate.


Report on INTERPOL General Assembly

Cabinet has approved the report by the Samoa delegation on the Interpol (International Police) General Assembly’s meeting that was held on the 11 - 15 October 2009, in Singapore.

This Organisation was established in 1923. Samoa was accepted as the 188th member of the International Police Organisation during this meeting.

According to the Report, Interpol offices will be established in all member countries including Samoa. These offices will be called the National Center Bureau (NCB). With the establishment of the NCB, Samoa will be able to communicate with other police offices in Interpol member countries.

Many workshops and training opportunities have been opened for Samoan Police Officers through this Organisation. It is essential for Samoa to stay as a member of INTERPOL.


Chief Justice to attend meeting in Vietnam

Cabinet has approved the participation by Chief Justice Patu Falefatu Maka Sapolu to the 13th Conference of Chief Justices of Asia and Pacific which will be held in Ho Chi Minh City, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from 8 to 12 November 2009. This meeting will be held in conjunction with the LAWASIA Conference.

LAWASIA is an international organisation of lawyers’ associations, individual lawyers, judges, legal academics, and others which focuses on the interests and concerns of the legal profession in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Chief Justices conference has established what is they suggest an enviable reputation for useful discourse among heads of jurisdictions from many and diverse important jurisdictions.
 

(Photo: U.S. Government)

AMERICAN SAMOA: Federal employees in American Samoa to receive locality pay
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega announced recently that on October 28, 2009, President Obama signed into law, H.R. 2647, legislation to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2010 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for defense activities of the Department of Energy, and for other purposes including provisions to transition federal employees in the US Territories and possessions to receive locality pay.

“The National Defense Authorization Act of FY 2010 signals an important turn in the history of federal service in American Samoa and I want to thank President Obama and my colleagues in Congress, for recognizing the need to give fair treatment to federal employees in our Territory. I especially want to thank my good friend, Senator Akaka for his leadership and Congressman Abercrombie for working diligently on this important issue. I also want to commend Congresswoman Christensen, Congresswoman Bordallo, Congressman Pierluisi, Congressman Sablan, and all my colleagues for their support,” Faleomavaega said.

“Since 1948, when President Truman signed into law pay differentials for federal service outside of the States based on cost of living adjustments (COLA), American Samoa was not included and has been facing an uphill battle since. In 1985, Executive Order 12510 replaced the word territory with nonforeign areas. And while American Samoa by definition is a nonforeign area, federal employees in the Territory continued to be excluded from COLA payments and related benefits.”

“Over the past several years, addressing this disparity has been my concern. After many discussions with the Office of Personnel and Management (OPM) in 2007, I introduced legislation, HR 1786, to include federal employees in American Samoa for COLA payments. Subsequently, HR 1786 was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post Office and the District of Columbia, at which time I testified before the Committee on July 31, 2007 and reiterated my concerns on the unfair treatment of federal employees in American Samoa,” Faleomavaega explained.

“In 2008, Senator Akaka introduced S. 3013, legislation to transition federal employees in Hawaii and Alaska to receive locality pay. In a letter sent on July 23, 2008, I shared my concern with Senator Akaka and requested that American Samoa be included in his legislation, S. 3013. Senator Akaka was very kind to work with us on this important matter and helped resolved many of our concerns with the bill at the time. Specifically, I wanted to make sure that federal employees in American Samoa, although currently excluded from COLA payments, should be covered under the proposed locality pay scheme. Again I want to thank Senator Akaka and my colleagues for listening to my concerns.”

“While S. 3013 saw little action in 2008, it provided the basis for HR 2990 that the House passed on June 2009. HR 2990 was then appended to HR 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act of FY 2010, which the Senate agreed to on October 22, 2009 and was signed today by President Obama,” Faleomavaega added.

Under the new law, Section 1912, federal employees in all Territories and possessions, including American Samoa, will transition to locality pay. Starting in the first year, federal employees in American Samoa will receive 1/3 of the rate for the “Rest of the US”; 2/3 in the second year, and by the third year, they would receive the full rate, which is at 13.8-percent.

In addition, Section 1915 of HR 2647 provides that it is the Sense of Congress that: beginning after the date of enactment, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) should conduct separate surveys to determine any pay disparity for the Territories including American Samoa. If there is such pay disparity, a separate locality pay for American Samoa is to be established. Otherwise, federal employees in American Samoa and the other Territories would continue at the rate for “the Rest of the United States.”

“Specific details remain on how OPM is expected to implement the new law and I will continue to follow this closely. Nonetheless, I am pleased that the U.S. Congress and the President recognize the need to provide for fair treatment of federal employees in American Samoa,” Faleomavaega concluded.

Photo Caption:  Congressman Eni Faleomavaega.
 

(Photo: Fiji Times)

FIJI: Bai and Raulini to co-captain Flying Fijians
Source: Fiji Times

Test veterans Seremaia Bai and Mosese Rauluni will co-captain the Flying Fijians in the upcoming tour to Europe.

France-based Bai has been in top form lately for his Clermont club while Saracens' halfback Rauluni is making a return from injury.

Flying Fijians technical director Mike Brewer said it was hard to look beyond the two players for the all-important role.

"Mosese and Seremaia will be the captains," said the former All Blacks skipper.

"We will also name a pack leader once the squad assembles in Scotland."

He believes Rauluni, 34 should not have problems playing international rugby despite being out of action since January when he sustained a knee injury while playing for Saracens.

"Moji's not entirely happy that he hasn't played a lot but he'll get up to speed quickly," Brewer said.

Former Tailevu player Bai was one of the star performers for the Flying Fijians when the side defied heavy odds to reach the 2007 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals in France.

Brewer said Bai's experience and maturity made him an ideal choice.

He said the role was not new for Bai because the 30-year-old had captained the Flying Fijians against Australia during the 2007 World Cup pool game against Australia.

"Seremaia is regarded very highly in France and Europe and his club is one of the biggest in France.

"For the national team, he is a very experienced international player and will be very important in the success of this team," the former Scotland forwards coach said.

Photo Caption:  Flying Fijians rugby players congratulate each other after a team training at the Suva Grammar grounds.
 

(Photos: STAR Public Relations Ltd)

TAHITI: Tahiti gets the green light for foreign marriages
Source: STAR Public Relations Ltd Press Release

Long recognized as one of the most romantic honeymoon destinations in the world, overseas visitors will also now be able to get married in French Polynesia after the French government gave the green light for foreign marriages to be conducted in Tahiti and her islands.

The minimum 30-day residence criteria has been done away with under the new legislation meaning visitors will be able to get married in a romantic Tahitian ceremony as long as they also go through a civil ceremony which must be conducted at a local city hall. Previously visitors could only undergo a symbolic French Polynesian marriage or a renewal of wedding vows legally exchanged elsewhere.

Tourism operators are now putting in place plans and packages to capitalize on the legislative change and Tahiti Tourisme Regional Director, Robert Thompson, believes it will provide a real boost to local tourism as well as offering visitors a wonderful new location in which to get married. “French Polynesia abounds with fantastic honeymoon options and the traditional wedding ceremony, with its music, singing, dancing and stunning location has always proved extremely popular. Now couples can enjoy all these things and be married legally - a fantastic ‘one stop shop’ for a dream wedding.”

Photo Captions: A wedding taking place at the Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa.
 

WORLDWIDE: Republic of Korea supports e-Government in the Pacific
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

Delegates from 15 Pacific Islands Countries have returned from an intensive two- week study tour of Korea directed at facilitating the development of e-Government in the Pacific.

e-Government - the use of Internet and other communications technologies for governments to communicate with citizens and the global community - has potential to improve governance and eliminate the effects of distance and isolation in the Pacific.

Coordinator of the group from the Pacific Islands Countries and Forum Secretariat Economic Infrastructure Adviser, John Budden said Korea is ranked number one globally in e-Government and the Korean Government is funding the study tours under a three-year agreement with the Forum Secretariat.

The course consisted of knowledge sharing by experts from Government, academia and the private sector on the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in many facets of public enterprise. Discussions focused on better government citizen relations and improved transparency, efficiency and effectiveness of governance by use of ICT.

Formal lectures were supplemented by visits to major commercial and industrial plants as well as centers using and developing ICTs for government management.

“Participants were given a clear understanding of the contribution e-government has made to Korea’s dramatic economic and social recovery over the last half century and the role of ICT in the current unique democratic culture,” said Mr Budden.

He added that with ICT connectivity rapidly improving in the region through the telecommunications sector reforms, opportunities to apply e-Government for information dissemination and citizen relations with government was becoming a reality.

The workshop discussed the use of simple e-Government techniques such as call centers and media as well as more sophisticated approaches applied to government purchasing and customs.

“The imminent introduction of m-banking facilities (the use of mobile phones to conduct financial transactions), for example, would allow seamless payments for services provided by the government to the general public,” Mr Budden said.