[PDFlist] Pacific News - Today 3 June, 2019

[Soloveni Vitoso]

In this bulletin:

1. AUST --- Foreign Minister Payne in Fiji this week for an official visit
2. AUST --- China navy visit 'no surprise': PM Morrison
3. TONGA --- Tongan PM back in NZ for medical care
4. COOKS --- Arrest warrant for Cook Islands MP Nicholas still active
5 COOKS --- Deadly flu virus detected in Cook Islands
6. PNG --- PNG Chief Justice slams former PM lawyer
7. Cook Islands foreign affairs workers to extricate girl detained in LAX
8. Tuna brands failing to tackle modern slavery
9. Kiribati President urges people to report breaches of minimum wage
10. Firm to market PNG tourism
11. ScoMo must strike the right balance with China

AUST - DIPLOMACY:                                                                                                                                                        03 June 2019

Foreign Minister Marise Payne in Fiji this week for an official visit

CANBERRA, 03 JUNE 2019 --- Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Women, Marise Payne is visiting Fiji from 3 to 5 June, her first overseas visit since the re-election of the Morrison Government, demonstrating the continued depth of our commitment to our Pacific partners.

"During my visit I will meet with Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama; my counterpart Minister for Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs Inia Seruiratu; and senior Ministers to discuss deepening our security, economic and people-to-people links.

"As part of my new role as Minister for Women, advancing gender equality and women's rights is a priority and I look forward to engaging with women's groups during my visit, said Payne in a statement issued by her office today.

During Prime Minister Scott Morrison's historic visit to Fiji in January this year, the Australian leader and his Fijian counterpart, Voreqe Bainimarama agreed to the 'Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership'.

"My visit is an opportunity to further progress this partnership and our initiatives under Australia's Pacific Step Up.

"I will also have the opportunity to visit the Blackrock Camp.  Australia and Fiji are working together to redevelop this facility into a world-class regional hub for peacekeeping training and pre-deployment preparation.

"In April Fiji joined the Pacific Labour Scheme, and I look forward to discussing how we can maximise mutual benefits from Fiji's participation in this initiative, said Payne.

AUST - DIPLOMACU: AAP                                                                                                                                                                             Mon 03 June 2019

China navy visit 'no surprise': PM Morrison

HONIARA, 03 JUNE 2019 (AAP) --- Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the arrival of three Chinese Navy vessels in Sydney Harbour was planned, despite the government not publicly announcing the visit.

The People's Liberation Army ships docked in Garden Island, which lies below HMAS Kuttabul in Potts Point, on Monday morning.

Morrison said it was a reciprocal visit after Australian naval vessels visited China and dismissed suggestions the timing was contentious given the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre was on 04 June.

"We have known about that (visit) for some time," he told reporters in the Solomon Island's capital of Honiara on Monday.

"This was a programme of a reciprocal visit. They were returning after counter drug trafficking operations in the Middle East.

"It may have been a surprise to others but it certainly wasn't a surprise to the government," said Morrison......

TONGA - PM: RNZ PACIFIC                                                                                                                                                                                                         Mon 03 June 2019

Tonga PM back in NZ for medical care

NUKU'ALOFA, 03 JUNE 2019 (RNZ PACIFIC) --- The Prime Minister of Tonga returned to New Zealand for further medical treatment at the weekend.

'Akilis Pohiva was in Auckland last month before returning to Tonga briefly.

Matangi Tonga said the prime minister told local media he had been advised by his doctor to avoid any intensive mental activity.

The cause of Pohiva's ill-health has not been revealed....

CKI - ARREST WARRANT: COOK ISLANDS                                                                                                                                                              Mon 03 June 2019

Arrest warrant for Cook Islands MP Nicholas still active

03 JUNE 2019 (COOK ISLANDS NEWS) --- New Zealand Police have confirmed that an arrest warrant for Cook Islands politician Albert Nicholas is still alive and the Avatiu Member of Parliament will be arrested when he enters that country.

Nicholas, who had been living in New Zealand for most of last year, is facing a charge of unlawful taking of a rental car from an Auckland rental company. The arrest warrant was issued after he failed to make an appearance at the Manukau District Court in March this year. The case against Nicholas has been ongoing since.

Democratic Party MP Tama Tuavera says Nicholas, who then went on to be sworn in as a Cook Islands Party MP despite the charge and arrest warrant, has brought the country's Parliament into disrepute.

"He's made it worse for himself and for this country by not returning to NZ to face the consequences, this whole mess has been reported all over the world and it brings shame to our country."

Tuavera says it also shows enormous disrespect for the New Zealand justice system, Police and government.

"This week we had NZ's Police minister Stuart Nash offering to help our government and our country to fight meth coming in here, he has offered assistance and shown so much support and goodwill. "The ongoing refusal of Albert Nicholas to return to New Zealand and face up to the Manukau High Court is just further demonstration of his arrogance."

Tuavera says the Avatiu MP can be sure of one thing, the charge he is facing in New Zealand "...isn't going to go away no matter how far Albert buries his head."

The Democratic Party caucus is aware that a formal request was made to the Cook Islands government by New Zealand authorities to extradite Nicholas to face the court charge - "there has been no response from the Puna government to the request by New Zealand authorities," says Tuavera.

He believes this only further demonstrates the complete lack of accountability and integrity on behalf of Prime Minister Henry Puna, MP Nicholas and Cook Islands Police.

The Ngatangiia MP says PM Puna is also demonstrating disrespect for the justice system of New Zealand, a country with which the Cook Islands shares a special relationship.

"How long will Puna keep shielding Albert? I'm sure that there are many people who will agree that this is a form of corruption - the Cook Islands Police minister who is also the prime minister protecting his MP Albert Nicholas from facing the New Zealand justice system."

Tuavera says one thing that is certain is that if a NZ government MP was wanted in the Cook Islands on high court charges and an arrest warrant was issued by Cook Islands Police, NZ prime minister Jacinda Ardern would make sure that the MP returned here to face the high court and whatever consequences. "And she would do that quick smart, she wouldn't muck around like PM Puna is doing, and our Police should also be doing something about it since our Commissioner says they work so closely with the NZ Police and have a good relationship."

According to Tuavera, the NZ - Cook Islands Police relationship appears to be one sided - New Zealand always at the ready to offer assistance, training and resources and Cook Islands police and the PM Puna the Police minister reluctant to extradite someone wanted in New Zealand to be in the high court to face a charge. ...

CKI - HEALTH: COOK ISLANDS                                                                                                                                                                                 Mon 03 June 2019

Deadly flu virus detected in Cook Islands

RAROTONGA, 03 JUNE 2019 (COOK ISLANDS NEWS) --- Two cases of influenza A which has caused deaths in Australia and New Zealand have been reported in the Cook Islands.

This was confirmed by the Ministry of Health's director Hospital Health Services, Dr Yin Yin May.

Dr May said so far 12 cases have been identified. These cases were tested around mid-May and specimens were sent to New Zealand for confirmation.

She said the results found that there were two influenza A cases and four flu B cases so far.

She said the first flu A case diagnosed was a visitor from New Zealand.

In Australia influenza A has caused a massive impact this year where around 35 people have died.
In New Zealand, two died from influenza a month into the flu season.

Dr May said they would send further specimens for testing if more cases are identified.

She explained that when the flu virus was identified they had to make sure that they differentiated the flu virus from the dengue virus. Therefore, tests are sent to NZ.

Dr May explained that preliminary tests are also conducted at the Rarotonga Hospital. Symptoms include fever, a high temperature of around 38 degrees, coughs, sore throat, stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, vomiting and upset stomach.

The incubation period is one to four days and symptoms especially continuous coughing will begin to show.

Dr May said this is a normal flu but those who are at high risk and could have complications such as death are pregnant women, mothers who have just had a baby recently, those with ongoing medical problems such as chronic asthma, diabetes and obese people and those who are more than 65 years of age.

She said influenza A is worse than the B virus and the best way to prevent this is to practise good hygiene.
She said in 2017 some influenza vaccines were brought in for medical staff and this was subsidised.

This year, Dr May said under the new secretary of health, influenza vaccines are provided for all the health staff to prevent them from getting infected or to spread it to the public.

She said they would later consider the aged people.

She said the vaccines were received two weeks ago and they have begun to immunize their staff.

Meanwhile, home remedies for individuals with a flu are that you must stay home, avoid contact with other people where possible, keep warm and rest, consume plenty of liquids, avoid alcohol, and stop smoking.
Flu vaccines/flu shots are also available at private pharmacies, however one must get advice from a doctor first......

PNG - JUDICIARY: THE NATIONAL                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Mon 03 June 2019

PNG Chief Justice slams former PM lawyer

PORT MORESBY, 03 JUNE 2019 (THE NATIONAL) --- Papua New Guinea Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika has slammed a lawyer who was seeking to refer a Supreme Court reference to its registry to await further instructions on what to do with the matter.

Sir Gibbs, on behalf of a three-person bench, the other two being Justice Teresa Berrigan and Ellenas Batari, said: "I am not going to refer it (Supreme court reference) anywhere. I am going to return it to the registry but it must be given a date."

Sir Gibbs was speaking to lawyer Jerome Sioni, who represented former prime minister Peter O'Neill on Friday in an urgent application hearing to stay a vote of no-confidence motion. Sioni made an application to the court seeking that the stay application be withdrawn.

Sir Gibbs ordered that the application be withdrawn, but the substantive proceeding of a reference (SCR OS 2/2019) to test the legality of a vote of no confidence proceed for further directions.

"I don't want parties to simply file it (references to registry) and forget it there," he said.

"Some of the issues raised here are important for the future of our country, and therefore it is necessary that the court takes note of how it is going to be progressed.

"There are some references which have been filed and have been in the registry for some years now.
"We ask the parties to attend to them quickly," Sir Gibbs said.

He said for Supreme Court reference SCR OS 2/2019: "I do not want this matter to be like others, not in progress."

"That's why I want to take control of this matter so that people are encouraged to progress the matter to hearing because there important constitutional issues that are been raised in this reference."

The matter was adjourned to 14 June for further direction.

Sir Gibbs this was the time for interested interveners to submit their applications....

CKI - DIPLOMACY: COOK ISLANDS NEWS                                                                                                                                                    Mon 03 Jun 2019

Cook Islands foreign affairs works to extricate girl

RARROTONGA, 03 JUNE 2019 (COOK ISLANDS NEWS) --- Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working closely with both New Zealand and the United States government officials to resolve the controversial detention of a nine-year old Cook Islands girl in the U.S.

Puna Raela was detained in Los Angeles at the International Airport by U.S authorities when she was travelling from Rarotonga earlier this week with a close family friend and Aitutaki resident, Marc Pearce, who is a U.S citizen.

The ministry has asked Cook Islanders and those concerned to remain patient as officers are working hard to get Raela into safety and in good hands.

The ministry states that its officials are focusing on extricating the child by working through a difficult and prolonged long process in the US and it is possible she could be back on the next direct flight to Rarotonga this weekend.

Meanwhile, comments received on the CINews Facebook page about the issue are calling for prayer support for the young girl.

Others are questioning why Pearce was given approval to take the young child for a vacation. One asked: "Why do you detain a nine-year-old child? My prayers are for her and her whanau, and hope diplomatic intervention returns her home safely soon."

Another said: "U.S citizen Marc Pearce had previously taken four of Puna's siblings for a holiday. Here is the "problem" for the U.S government, as they probably suspect child trafficking or illegal immigration. You're apparently not allowed to be kind with others anymore."

Others have reiterated not to make assumptions about Pearce as he is not at all being detained but it was important to know if Raela is being treated with the respect she deserves.

A close relative to Pearce told CINews that the 71-year-old American is like a second grandfather to the Raela children, where he would take the children to the U.S for vacations.

 Aimee Miller claimed that Pearce had all the required documentation showing he had permission from the parents, her passport, notarised documents, everything Customs and Border Protection (CBP) could need to pass them through customs, but CBP stopped them nonetheless.

On the CINews website one reader said: "If you have the right document no worries though I think none of the parents is there and she is with a man who is not her parent. I can see why the authority is only following rules and the girl is under age, so they have to make sure of the girl's safety."

Another said: "To be able to experience another country is a real eye opener but to be detained is a scary thing especially for a young girl who doesn't know anyone else.

"To those that are saying what were the parents thinking, there's no need to put more burden and hardship on the parents. They entrusted their neighbour with their daughter and if their neighbour has taken their other children to the U.S before then they wouldn't need to worry and also if they trust their neighbour with their children why would they feel threatened or worried?"

She said the question to ask was why was Puna detained and on what grounds.

Another said that Pearce is an upstanding member of the community in Aitutaki.

She said she knew the child is safe with Pearce.

One woman spoke out saying that that she hopes and prays that the matter is resolved as she knew Pearce since elementary school and they have remained good friends throughout the years.

"I would not only trust him with my life but also with the lives of any child. I met two of Puna's sisters on their previous visits when they stayed with Marc's family in Michigan.

"Marc has shared many stories with me about Puna's family and knowing Marc as I do, I would never be concerned about the welfare of any of her family while in Marc's care. Puna's family basically adopted Marc since he moved to Aitutaki.

"This was supposed to be Puna's fun trip to the United States and now it has been destroyed. Please, please, whoever is responsible for this error in judgment, get this situation resolved and get Puna back to Marc and her family. I can only imagine how frightened this little girl is," She said....


PAC - TUNA INDUSTRY: WIRES                                                                                                                                                                                                     Mon 03 June 2019

Tuna brands failing to tackle modern slavery

LONDON, 03 JUNE 2019 (WIRES) --- Canned tuna brands are failing to tackle modern slavery in their Pacific supply chains, according to a new report Out of Sight: Modern Slavery in Pacific Supply Chains of Canned Tuna from the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre.

The Pacific provides almost 60 percent of the world's tuna catch in a growing industry, currently worth around US$22 billion. Severe human rights abuse is endemic, including forced labour, slavery, human trafficking and child labour, and reports of migrant workers bought and sold as slaves and tossed overboard if they complain or get injured.

The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre surveyed 35 canned tuna companies and supermarkets representing 80 of the world's largest retail canned tuna brands between November 2018 and January 2019. Of those surveyed, 15 failed to respond, including Tesco, Walmart and Costco.

Four of the 35 companies surveyed (Thai Union, Kraft Heinz Australia, Target and REWE Group) said they conduct due diligence specifically to uncover modern slavery in their supply chains, while 80 percent of companies failed to disclose where in the Pacific their tuna comes from, with only 20 percent saying they have mapped their entire supply chains.

Three out of the 35 tuna companies - Thai Union, Simplot and Tri Marine - said they require subcontractors to enforce their modern slavery policies throughout their supply chains.

While 60 percent of companies have a complaints mechanism, only six out of 35 (Thai Union,Bumble Bee Foods, Clover Leaf Seafoods, Kaufland, Metro AG and Coles Group) extend this to workers in their supply chains.

15 of the 35 take part in at least one key multi-stakeholder initiative, and 16 have policies requiring the company and its suppliers to support the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining.

Only one company - Thai Union - mentioned engagement with a trade union (International Transport Workers Federation). However, a few committed tuna companies (Thai Union, Bumble Bee Foods and Clover Leaf Seafoods) are working consistently to improve their approach to human rights, with measures such as digital traceability of fish and measures designed specifically to protect migrant fishers from abuse.

Human rights abuses - forced labour, slavery and human trafficking - are linked to falling productivity and returns in the fishing industry. Diminishing returns further exacerbate vulnerabilities in the seafood workforce, including lack of unionisation and reliance on migrant workers.

Migrant workers are particularly vulnerable to abuse due to lack of official documentation, reduced bargaining power, language barriers and diminished safety nets. These factors are aggravated by spending extended periods at sea, during which time workers are physically isolated, with few options for escape or reporting abuse. There are frequent reports of identity documents being confiscated, trapping workers in forced labour; the supply of forged identity documents rendering men stateless; and captains leaving crew stranded on remote islands as punishment, or simply because they are no longer required for work.

Modern slavery encompasses the most severe forms of labour exploitation and it is on the rise globally. The International Labour Organisation estimates that forced labour in the private economy generates $150 billion in illegal profits per year. The Global Slavery Index findings show that even in developed economies like the U.K., France and Germany, there are hundreds of thousands of people living in conditions of modern slavery. Yet the prevalence of modern slavery, both in terms of where it is practiced and where victims come from, is concentrated in the global south. ...

KIR - MINIMUM WAGE: RNZ PACIFIC                                                                                                                                                                    Mon 03 June 2019

Kiribati President urges people to report breaches of minimum wage

TARAWA,03 JUNE 2019 (RADIO KIRIBATI) --- President Taneti Maamau has encouraged employees and members of the general public to report private businesses and companies who continue to pay their employees with wages below the government's minimum wage.

Maamau said the Government through its Employment and Human Resource ministry will continue to enforce to minimum wage rate by carrying out inspections to private businesses and companies.

Taneti Maamau advises that it's important for people to fully understand the conditions of their employment contracts before they sign it with the employer.

The minimum wage in Kiribati is AUD$1.30(US$0.90) per hour....

PNG - TOURISM: THE NATIONAL                                                                                                                                                               Mon 03 June 2019

Firm to market PNG tourism

PORT MORESBY, 03 JUNE 2019 (THE NATIONAL) --- Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA), the statutory body responsible for the promotion of PNG as a tourist destination, has announced the appointment of firm Example to represent the country in Australian and New Zealand markets.

Example, a Sydney-based communications agency that specialises in hospitality, travel and lifestyle, will handling all public relations, trade relations and marketing for the PNG Tourism Authority, with a focus on driving increased visitation from Australia and New Zealand.

Working closely with the travel trade and consumer media, Example will create story-telling moments and experiences in order to educate travellers of PNG's diverse culture and showcase the country as a must-visit destination.

Example's head of marketing Andrew Cavallaro has been reinstated as Australia/NZ lead for the tourism board, following his previous tenure in the role between 2014-2016.

"Australia is PNG's most important market for visitors," he said.

PNGTPA board chairman Kennedy Wenge said: "We are excited to grow our Australian and New Zealand arrivals and work with Example to spread the word of the beautiful islands and mountainous regions PNG has to offer, as well as the incredible cultural and adventure travel experiences."

Wenge said the board was excited about Example marketing and promoting PNG tourism in Australia and New Zealand.

"Andrew passionately leads the charge promoting PNG and we're looking forward to having him back at the helm, working alongside Example's impressive PR and marketing team."

Cavallaro said he was pleased to be appointed to the role and was looking forward to promoting Papua New Guinea's tourism potential......


ScoMo must strike the right balance with China

Opinion by Lanai Scarr

CANBERRA, 03 JUNE 2019 (THE WEST AUSTRALIAN) --- China will be one of the biggest strategic policy challenges for the Federal Government in this term of Parliament.

Cyber threats and China's growing influence in the region need to be dealt with in a way that ensures Australia's sovereignty and the safety and privacy of Australians are respected. But equally, economic ties with Beijing need to remain strong, particularly for WA.

Investment and business between resource companies and China is a must. Jobs depend on it and with WA carrying the burden of the second-highest unemployment rate in the country, anything that could hurt jobs and the WA economy can only be a bad thing.

One-third of all Australian exports currently go to China and some say not enough is being done to generate future investment in Australia from the superpower.

The McGowan Government has been courting Beijing but experts say if the Federal Government does not strike the right balance things could deteriorate quickly. And the challenge is starker than ever.

If the US and China are able to settle their trade war, some - including former foreign minister Bob Carr - suggest unless our relationship with Beijing is at its best, Australia could see its share of trade diminish, particularly when it comes to liquefied natural gas.

"Certainly there will be a short-term risk to Australia," a Government MP told me this week.

"But globally if the trade war ends that is a good thing and we have to take the long-term view.
China's defence minister says the country is ready to fight the US on trade but the door is still open for talks.
"The China relationship continues to be a complex one for us and there is a potential conflict between security and economic interests."

As we get down to business in the 46th Parliament, the issue of China is front of mind for many MPs in senior positions on both sides of the political aisle. "It would not be unreasonable to note this has been something already top on the agenda that has been discussed," one said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison's first international trip to the Solomon Islands this week had many speculating it was in part to send a message to the region and China that the Pacific could not be wedged by Beijing, and Australia would remain its greatest friend.

The Solomon Islands is one of six Pacific nations that recognises Taiwan as a separate state, and Chinese President Xi Jinping has been trying to change this, ploughing money into infrastructure and technology in the region in an attempt to win favour.

"This was about making sure our closest neighbours know we're there for them and they are valued," a Liberal source said of the Prime Minister's visit.

Another said there was a case that the region could become a "Chinese lake" if China's growing influence remained unchecked.

Peter Jennings, from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said there would be "difficulties ahead" in the China-Australia relationship in this term of Parliament.

"The economic priorities versus the security priorities will be harder to balance," he said.

"We need to have a blunter relationship with China and assert more strongly our national security interests as opposed to simply setting them aside due to our economic interests. And this will be one of the biggest issues in the next three years."

Beijing is understood to still be angry over comments Morrison made during the election campaign that the superpower was a "customer" while referring to the US as a "friend".

It is understood some from across the political aisle will call for a "deeper relationship" with China.

"There are some serious gaps and there have been some missed opportunities. We need to boost our engagement with China and seek to improve the relationship," a Labor MP said. "Our prosperity is dependent on China."

Foreign Minister Penny Wong told me yesterday the relationship with China had entered a new phase and the Government needed to end its "clumsy, inconsistent" approach to Beijing.

"I don't think the public have had a government who have articulated a consistent, clear message or properly explained the nuances of the relationship," she said.

Joel Fitzgibbon, who yesterday was appointed shadow resources minister, said the Coalition needed to encourage more Chinese investment as a priority.

"We shouldn't be fearful of that," Fitzgibbon said, while maintaining stringent national interest tests had to be adhered to. "We need the capital and we shouldn't be discriminatory."

Getting the balance right in an age of increasing cyber espionage, where China is a major player, will be a tricky task for the Morrison Government.

There are lots of areas where the relationship with China is going to get harder in ways the Government won't be able to avoid.

Australia's sovereignty is paramount. But equally there are lots of ways to generate a positive story for Australia through growing China demand for exports.

Making sure China continues to look south and Australia can capitalise on that will be the challenge for the entire Morrison Cabinet. While keeping our own eyes peeled to the continued espionage threat...


Soloveni Vitoso
Public Relations & Communication Officer

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