- Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop addressed an audience in Suva over the weekend to provide more clarity on Australia's new approach to the Pacific, foreshadowed last year by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. James Batley provides excellent analysis for The Interpreter.
- Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has announced his 33-member cabinet, and is soon to announce a 100-day action plan on management of the economy (hopefully with an accompanying and much-needed supplementary budget).
- While most in the country appear committed to persevere and work with the new government, violence continues in the Highlands provinces, particularly in Enga, where the death toll is mounting.
- As the dust settles from the election, Sean Dorney is providing excellent analysis on surprises from this election, and the poor state of the electoral roll. A final piece will discuss lessons learnt and changes needed for 2022. At DevPolicy, Terence Wood looks at the winners and losers in the election.
- Nic Maclellan weighs in on the exploitation within Australia's horticulture industry (which includes Pacific Islands seasonal workers), arguing for the need for union protection.
- Guam has been in the headlines in recent weeks. The New York Times discusses the real risk facing the small island nation: climate change.
- The Pacific Islands Forum is pushing for members to develop regional foreign policy to counter expanding risks in the Pacific.
- Matthew Dornan and I have written a new journal article looking at trends in foreign aid in the Pacific. A summary is available here.
- Finally, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is in Australia this week on his first official visit to the country. The visit includes signing a new security treaty to enable rapid response, which Sogavare hopes will never be used. Sogavare also addressed the Lowy Institute on a wide range of topics:
