Page 9 - IB Sept-Oct 2020

Briefs Briefs

repayments. President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr says this will The Malaitan Provincial Government is scoping out how
save the government almost US$2 million over the two years. much support there is for self-autonomy across the
Palau has projected a US$35million revenue shortfall in 2021 province. However the central government claims Premier
and US$21 million in 2022. Daniel Suidani’s announcement of a referendum on Malaita
independence was “illegal”. The Provincial government says
opinions of Malaitans will be collected “on a political question
Papua New Guinea that has been around for the last 40 plus years…whether
Police Minister Bryan Kramer says the police force is the Malaitans want independence or a federal system or some
most corrupt public agency in the country, with “a rampant form of political autonomy.”
culture of police ill-discipline and brutality.” Writing online,
Kramer said the depth of corruption could take a generation
to eradicate. Kramer says the force included senior officers Tonga
who were implicated in organised crime, drug syndicates, Tonga’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called for
smuggling firearms, stealing fuel, insurance scams, pension deferment of the new employment laws due to the economic
fund scams and misuse of police allowances. Meanwhile the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, stating: “With the
force has disbanded its reserve unit, after having to pay K158 current dire circumstances of the economy due to COVID-19,
million (US$45 million) to victims of their misconduct. Local it is not the time to introduce new policies and legislation
media report a further 2,300 cases are pending in court. that may have a negative impact on the private sector.” The
law has been passed by the Legislative Assembly, and amongst
OK Tedi mine has reopened after a six-week closure due to other clauses, requires a written employment agreement
coronavirus transmissions in Western Province. The company between an employer and an employee of more than two
estimates it lost K411 million (US$120million) in revenue months, and gives the government power to establish
during the shutdown. commissions to consider setting minimum wages for particular
sectors, and other entitlements including annual leave,
maternity leave, sick leave, casual leave and holiday pay.

Samoa
The resignation of Samoa’s former deputy Prime Minister Vanuatu
Fiame Naomi Mata’afa from government has given new hope Vanuatu’s opposition claims it is shaping up for a no
to government’s opponents as the country prepares to go to confidence motion, following the recent defection of two
the polls next year. Fiame is now an independent MP after parliamentarians from the government side. However there is
resigning over three Bills currently before parliament which some confusion as to whether the Union of Moderate Parties
together would create an independent Land and Titles Court has joined the Opposition’s camp, with its members’ loyalties
which would not be subject to judicial oversight by the reportedly divided. Under new regulations, all 27 members
Supreme Court. She has said Samoa is “sliding away from the supporting any motion of no confidence must be physically
rule of law” and has also criticised the government’s response present to sign it in front of the Clerk of parliament. The
to last year’s measles epidemic. Meanwhile three opposition government led by Prime Minister Bob Loughman says it
parties have announced they are joining forces to contest the still has the numbers to govern. Opposition leader Ralph
election. Regenvanu is calling for reactivation of the employment
stabilisation program and widened school fee subsidies.
Samoa has delayed introduction of a new tax monitoring
system until next year. The decision has been welcomed by
the Samoa Chamber of Commerce. It requires retailers to buy
electronic point of sale devices to print tax invoices for every Region
purchase.
ANZ has waived its US$3.30 international money transfer fee
between Australia and New Zealand and ten Pacific island
nations. The temporary waiver is in place until the end of
Solomon Islands February 2021, with ANZ Regional Executive for the Pacific,
Chinese telco Huawei is negotiating with the Solomon Islands Tessa Price saying: “It’s really important that we keep costs as
government to build 200 telecommunication towers around low as possible, especially given the economic conditions here
the country. Local media report that Huawei has been in the Pacific which are tough due to COVID-19 and the impact
meeting with government officials in Honiara, and a technical it has had on tourism.” Meanwhile Westpac Chairman Tim
team has been set up to work with the firm and advise Wilson says the bank had not “made any decisions on what we
government. Communications Minister Peter Shanel Agovaka are going to do, therefore we haven’t considered options” on
aspires to connect rural communities to the Internet. potential buyers of the Fiji and PNG operations.

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