By Harriet Smith, an intern with the Lowy Institute's Melanesia Program
- My Walk to Equality, an anthology of stories about women’s contributions to Papua New Guinean society that's edited by Rashmii Amoah Bell is now available.
- This Devpolicy post explores the economic and political repercussions of Papua New Guinea’s approaching election and concludes that whatever the outcome, the real challenge will be policy implementation.
- Papua New Guinea is the only Pacific country to see an increase in student migration to Australia since 2002.
- A new podcast, The Messenger, reveals what life is like for one asylum seeker in the detention centre on Manus Island.
- A Manus Island asylum seeker has been charged with sexually assaulting a local woman.
- A new report on public financial management reforms in the Pacific, specifically Kiribati and Tonga, calls for an increased focus on political economy.
- Recently released figures show who is coming to Australia from the Pacific via the Seasonal Worker Program.
- A new project focused on getting water recycling infrastructure to informal settlements is underway in 24 locations across Fiji and Indonesia.
- Fiji’s Fisheries Minister has noted that a ban on bêche-de-mer (sea cucumber) exports may be necessary as sea cucumber stocks dwindle.
- The Solomon Islands government has reinstated the mining lease for the major gold mine in the country that was closed last year due to flood damage.
- Vanuatu Prime Minister Salwai has released a National Development Plan, 'Vanuatu 2030: The People’s Plan'.
- The Nauvhal-language Tanna is one of five Oscar nominees in the foreign-language category. The film, set and made in Vanuatu, was nominated by Australia.