Johnny Blades
NGO warns about 'radical' changes to Bougainville mining laws
The Autonomous Bougainville Government's recently announced plan it's to amend local mining laws, has been described as a reckless land grab by NGO Jubilee Australia. Audio
Dateline Pacific evening edition for 15 February 2019
Cyclone Oma hampers Solomons' election preparations; Investigation into missing PNG scientists closed; Refugee healthcare deficient on Manus, Nauru - doctor; Iconic Fiji newspaper wrestles with the… Audio
Pacific resort controversy & snake torture
Pacific correspondent, Johnny Blades backgrounds the Fiji Malolo island resort controversy, the torture of a West Papuan with a snake, and a change in Bougainville mining laws. Audio
Mixed signals as PNG forces' APEC pay issue festers
Papua New Guinea disciplinary forces continue to complain about unpaid allowances for security work done when the country hosted APEC last year.The situation appears to have been complicated by mixed… Audio
Retiring pilot looks back on 'making a difference' in PNG
A British pilot who is retiring after 25 years working in Papua New Guinea says aviation services play a transformational role for the country's remote rural communities. He reflects on what he… Audio
Bougainville govt's mining deal meets widespread opposition
There's been community outrage in Papua New Guinea's Bougainville region at the local government's new mining plan. Audio
Dispense with the Asia-Pacific tag, says Juffa
A member of Papua New Guinea's parliament says the Pacific Islands should not be lumped in with Asia as a region. Gary Juffa, the Governor of Oro province, says the Pacific should be considered as a… Audio
Dateline Pacific evening edition for 7 February
PNG's Pangu MPs on verge of leaving party; Tonga's newest island has a more lively future as more data gathered by Nasa; Solomon Islands is losing experienced nurses to neighbouring Pacific countries… Audio
PNG's Pangu MPs on verge of leaving party
A member of Papua New Guinea's Pangu Pati says the party's parliamentary wing is united and committed to the government, amid local media reports that Pangu's 14 MPs are resigning from the party due… Audio
PNG leaders consider energy options
Papua New Guinea's leaders are considering different energy project options as government tackles the goal of electrifying 70 percent of the country by 2030. Audio
Dateline Pacific evening edition for 4 February 2019
Tongans seek answers for major comms outage; last children refugees leave Nauru, despite Canberra's efforts; two of Tokelau's leaders are due to appear in the High Court in New Zealand; efforts to… Audio
Last children refugees leave Nauru despite Canberra's efforts
Australia's government continues to play politics with the plight of children it detained on Nauru, a refugee advocate says. Audio
PNG's West Papua policy under pressure
The Free West Papua Movement, or OPM, has called for international action on the conflict in Indonesian-ruled Papua at a rare press conference in neighbouring Papua New Guinea. At this event, they… Audio