- The ABC’s Stephen Dziedzic analyses the current tensions of the region that might influence talks at the Pacific Island Forum underway on Nauru.
- Nauru’s government has limited the movement of journalists covering the summit and placed restrictions on who they can talk to. A TVNZ journalist was detained for four hours after trying to interview a refugee on the island.
- Nic Maclellan also documents the latest tension between the China and Taiwan on display at the Forum, with visas delays for Chinese representatives and a walk-out after being denied the chance to speak.
- Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne announced that Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu will participate to the Pacific Labour Scheme, joining Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu to undertake non-seasonal work in rural and regional Australia.
- Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi spoke at the Lowy Institute last week, offering a Pacific perspectives on the new geostrategic landscape. Here is the transcript and audio of his speech.
- Bloomberg published a story about efforts by Papua New Guinea to seek out international investors as it tries to raise an international debt bond that’s been nearly 20 years in the making.
- Susan Harris Rimmer analyses the implication of Scott Morrison’s government for Australia’s foreign policy, expressing her concerns about what Julie Bishop’s departure from Foreign Affairs means for the Pacific. Bal Kama also writes on the Pacific implications for Devpolicy.
- Bruce Hill writes on the future implications of Tonga, given most Tongan youth want to live abroad.
- The volcano on Manam Island, off the north coast of PNG, erupted early on Saturday, sending plumes of ash 15 kilometres into the air. As a result, three villages had to be evacuated.
