11 Dec 2021

In brief: news from around the Pacific

1:49 pm on 11 December 2021

Businesses in New Caledonia anxious about vote

New Caledonian businesses are anxious to know what lies ahead for them the day after the independence referendum.

The French territory is getting ready for Sunday's third and final independence vote.

New Caledonia votes a second time on independence from France

New Caledonia votes a second time on independence from France Photo: AFP or licensors

The President of the Chamber of Commerce and industry, David Guyenn, said between 10,000 to 15,000 people have been made redundant in the last three years due to the referendum and Covid 19.

He said there's uncertainty in the territory as people wait for Sunday's vote.

Tuvalu to receive climate adaptation funding support

Tuvalu is to receive US$17.5-million in funding support from the World Bank for its ongoing climate adaptation efforts.

The Bank said the new support will help strengthen disaster and climate-resilience, especially at household level, so recovery from natural disasters is quicker.

It also said the funding will help improve Tuvalu's infrastructure by ensuring a building code for climate resilience and safe buildings is in place.

It will also go towards Tuvalu's debt management, and to increase access to "inclusive quality education for Tuvaluan children living with disabilities".

Reporting restrictions placed on cocaine cases in Vava'u

A Supreme Court judge in Tonga has placed a reporting restriction order on the cocaine cases in Vava'u.

There are 30 cases of defendants charged in relation to the seizure of the illicit drugs, some of which washed up on Vava'u beaches.

Justice Nicholas Cooper in a written 'Record of Call Over' said no detail concerning these cases is be reported at all.

He also made directions in regards to the progress of the cases.

CNMI posts 8-day total of 332 positive Covid-19 cases

The Northern Marianas has 332 confirmed positive Covid-19 cases recorded from December 1 to 7, 2021, bringing the CNMI total to 1,514 cases since March 28, 2020.

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation and the Covid-19 Task Force said the individuals have been isolated and actively monitored.

As of December 7, 2021, there have been 496 recoveries made, 725 active cases, and 2 deaths of the cases identified since October 28, 2021.

As of December 9, 2021, 12 people were hospitalized as a result of Covid-19.

Body of Samoa worker in Australia will repatriated home

The body of a Samoan woman seasonal worker who died in Australia will be repatriated home to her family soon.

TV1Samoa reports Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour which handles all seasonal worker matters, confirmed that details are still being finalised.

There has been no official comment from the Australian government on the death of the worker at the end of last week.

She was one of hundreds who travelled to Australia early this year on the RSE scheme.

Samoa's Speaker of the House may delay swearing-in two female MPs

Samoa's Speaker of the House Lio Papalii Taeu Masipa'u is considering delaying the swearing-in of two female Members of Parliament from last months by-elections.

The FAST party secured four of the six seats in the by-elections, increasing its numbers in the House to 31 representatives.

After the ballots, the Office of the Electoral Commissioner invoked the provision allowing for two extra women members to be elected based on percentage of votes cast in the constituency for them.

The MPs are Alimalemanu Alofa Tuuau and Fagaseali Sapoa Feagiai of the HRPP.

In a statement, the Speaker said the delay is due to a court challenge on the appointment of the two extra female MPs.

Meanwhile, a petition has also been filed against one of the female candidates, so the election results are still not final, as has been directed by the Court of Appeal.

Parliament will convene next Tuesday.

FASANOC end efforts to qualify for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) has confirmed Fiji badminton, cycling, netball and squash have ended efforts to qualify for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Part of their qualification criteria for the event in Birmingham next year, athletes must have participated in credible regional or international events in the last two years.

But the organisation admitted in September that financial constraints and the impact of the pandemic would likely affect their preparations for the Games.

FASANOC chief executive Lorraine Mar said due to travel restrictions, badminton, cycling and squash have not been able to train nor travel overseas for training and competition.

She said the decision to withdraw was on the basis that athletes have not participated in international competition since March 2020 when Fiji first went into lockdown.