Politics Archive September 2013

The University of Fiji has appointed former Solomon Islands Attorney General Julian Moti as its first Professor of Law.

The Solomon Islands Telekom Workers Union has issued a 28-day strike notice to management, citing dissatisfaction with the organization's planned restructure exercise.

Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Solomon Islands Delegation to the 68th UN General Assembly meeting in New York has held talks with officials from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Government on Friday to discuss enhanced cooperation in the renewable energy sector between the two countries.

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) yesterday unveiled the new $50 banknote at an event attended by a number of VIPs including the Finance Minister Rick Hou. This is the first denomination of the new family to be launched; the rest of the new banknotes will be issued over the course of the next few years.

Deputy Prime Minister and Head of delegation to the 68th UN General Assembly, Manasseh Maelanga has conveyed Solomon Islands gratitude to the Government of Cuba for its vision and willingness to assist the country to train its medical doctors.

Solomon Islands has supported a global call for the complete elimination of all Nuclear Weapons and other weapons of mass destruction at a High Level meeting on Nuclear Disarmament during the 68th UN General Assembly in New York.

Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has encouraged participants of the Regional Youth Parliament to prepare themselves “to become future productive leaders.”

The Special Task Force to the Goldridge Royalty Payment scandal has recommended that investigations into the role played by individuals and government officials, implicated in the embezzlement, be carried out with immediate effect.

The Joint Civil Society (JCSG) is seeking permission from relevant authorities including the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force to hold a public forum on the ‘Peoples Petition against Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo’ later this week.

Solomon Islands have called for a permanent UN presence in the country in order to truly understand the post conflict and recovery situation here.

The Solomon Islands Delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga has arrived in New York on Saturday to participate in the UN General Assembly meeting which starts on Monday.

Unconfirmed reports state that the soon to be appointed Police Commissioner, Mr Peter Aoranisaka, was involved in a car accident at the town ground area over the weekend.

The Constitutional Reform Unit (CRU), within the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, strongly refutes an article carried by Sunday star suggesting the Final Plenary of the Congress has been cancelled due to lack of funds.

A visiting Australian volunteer surgical team will spend two weeks in Western Province later this month providing free consultations and treatment for people with medical or general surgical conditions.

Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has announced his Government’s commitment in establishing major sporting projects in the country.

After much speculation and anticipation the new Police Commissioner has been named. He is Mr Peter Aoranisaka from Marau Sound in East Guadalcanal.

Eight Solomon Islands public servants are reported to have been fired over a US$1.4 million dollar government fraud.

Head of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA)says the organisation's vessel day scheme (VDS) has doubled revenue for member countries but is still to reach its full potential.

The Joint Civil Society Group has completed the proposed “Peoples' Petition” and will be endorsing it in their meeting tomorrow.

The Hon Julie Bishop MP was sworn in as Australia’s 38th Minister for Foreign Affairs this morning at Government House in Canberra.

Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo last night welcomed regional delegates to the 4th Pacific Tuna Forum in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

The Fiji government has rejected claims by Alfred Sasako that they had demanded that Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo explain his recent State visit to Indonesia.

The Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) condemned in the strongest term an article by Alfred Sasako carried in the Island Sun, which falsely claimed that members of Solomon Islands delegation who recently visited Indonesia were given envelopes containing money.

The Joint Civil Society Group (JSCG) says they are concerned that recommendations of the Police & Prisons Commission, in assessing and selecting the new Police Commissioner, may be completely disregarded due to political interest.

The final stage of New Zealand’s largest single aid project has again been delayed in Solomon Islands due to bad weather.

The Solomon Islands Government will send a 13 member delegation to represent the country at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York later this month.

Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has congratulated Australian Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott on his election victory on Saturday.

Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga has strongly condemned rumors of planned illegal activities by certain Civil Society groups attempting to overthrow the NCRA Government.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved the resignation of Frank Wickham, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and livestock.

The Indonesian Government has refunded in full the expenses paid by the Solomon Islands Government for Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo’s recent state visit to Jakarta last month.

The Minister of Finance and Treasury Rick Houenipwela announced that as of today the Government is introducing much stricter controls over the granting of duty and tax exemptions.

Taiwan has rejected accusations it is engaging in chequebook diplomacy in the Pacific and buying loyalty from poorer countries in exchange for aid.

The Joint Civil Society Group (JCSG) is working on a petition against Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo – calling on the Prime Minister to resign.