Latest News Archive December 2011

The Gordon Darcy Lilo Government is undermining accountability and transparency of Government says Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) Chairman Mr. Bob Pollard.

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) is critical of what they say appears to be the Prime Minister's deliberate move to block the Tsunami report being debated in parliament.

Australian farmers will now be able to employ workers from the Pacific Region, including Solomon Islands and East Timor under a permanent Seasonal Worker Program.

Suspension of all Post-Paid phones by the Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Gordon Lilo Darcy still remains this week.

Solomon Islands has established diplomatic relations with Nepal.

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and its US chapter have teamed up with the world-renowned American Museum of Natural History to support the Museum's conservation efforts in the biologically rich and diverse Solomon Islands.

Changes to farming techniques using mulching, composting and crop rotation is dramatically improving food production and the quality of produce being grown in Solomon Islands, says Kastom Garden Association.

The Solomon Islands government spokesperson on RAMSI affairs says the government must lead the process by which the work of the Regional Assistance Mission is wound down.

Forty eight Solomon Islanders will study at Australian or regional universities next year under Australian scholarships.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will up their royal duties ahead of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee next year, taking part in their second official oversees visit, Clarence House has confirmed.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The eurozone crisis is expected to have only limited impact on the Pacific because the region's growth prospects are more closely tied to the economies of Australia and New Zealand.

Miss Fiji, Alisi Rabukawaqa, is the new Miss South Pacific, after winning the title in Samoa.

Australia has given A$80,000 (SBD$560,000) to help increase women's leadership and economic empowerment in Solomon Islands.

Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Richard Marles, and Solomon Islands' Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Peter Shanel Agovaka, yesterday signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Solomon Islands' participation in Australia's Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme.

A four-member delegation from the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts National Organizing Committee (FOPANOC) has ended a three-day consultative meeting with the Malaita Provincial Government last Sunday.

Pacific news at COP17 courtesy of SPREP Pacific Climate Change Blog - Durban, South Africa, 8 December - The UN Climate Change Conference in South Africa was the backdrop for the launch of two new landmark resources that have a crucial role for the Pacific region.

A conservationist is calling on New Zealanders to boycott travel to Solomon Islands in protest at the live export of dolphins to China.

Gender equality will be the focus of a visit to the Pacific this week by a bipartisan delegation led by the Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Richard Marles.

Pacific news at COP17 courtesy of SPREP Pacific Climate Change Blog

Julian Moti says he will sue the government after child sex charges against him were dramatically dropped by the High Court.

The Solomon Islands Government says it is moving ahead with draft legislation to enforce a ban on dolphin exports from January next year.

[Durban, South Africa, 6 December 2011] - The Pacific nations did not come to Durban to fail.

The Solomon Islands minister of communication and aviation, Andrew Hanaria, has lost his seat after losing an election petition.

The Australian government has been exposed as being party to another high-profile "deportation" bungle, after the High Court yesterday found federal officials facilitated the unlawful transfer of former Solomon Islands attorney-general Julian Moti to Brisbane to answer child sex charges.

Solomon Islands have shot up five places in the latest IRB World Rankings to a new high of 69th after recording victories over Niue and Vanuatu in the Oceania Cup 2011 in the Papua New Guinea capital Port Moresby over the last seven days.

[Durban, South Africa, 5 December 2011] - The Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) Project presented to donors and implementing agencies during its side event at the 17th Conference of Parties held in Durban, South Africa showcasing progress and lessons learnt on their adaptation efforts on the ground.

The High Court has halted Australia's prosecution on child sex charges of former Solomon Islands attorney-general Julian Moti.

Work is about to begin to develop Solomon Islands Munda airfield so it can take international flights in emergencies.

The National Parliament now has a new Deputy Speaker. He is the MP for North New Georgia, Job Duddley Tausinga.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held in Munda, Western Province to signal the beginning of construction work for the country's second international airport.

Cabinet has formally endorsed the phased out transition of the work of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, RAMSI.

Busan, Republic of Korea, 1st December 2011 - The Cook Islands Finance Minister, Hon. Mark Brown says developing partnerships are a necessity in the Pacific as countries in the region face new challenges and engage with new development actors, in their development aspirations.

Police have arrested a man in his 20's for allegedly stabbing his partner with a kitchen knife at their home in the Henderson area, East Honiara over the weekend.

"Not just about sea-level rise"

On Monday, 5 December 2011, we celebrate International Volunteer Day.

As of next year government workers will get to keep a little more money from their pay.

Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has started his Ministerial visits only two weeks after his election as Prime Minister.