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August 2025

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Ice, cocaine, heroin consumption highest on record

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Australians are consuming record amounts of meth, cocaine, and heroin, according to the latest wastewater analysis. The findings, released by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, reveal that nicotine use is also on the rise.

This insatiable demand for illicit drugs is a boon for international crime groups and dealers who are profiting from Australia’s lucrative market. The commission’s analysis, which began in 2016, detected a surge in the consumption of major illicit drugs nationwide.

In the year leading up to August 2024, Australians consumed more than 22 tonnes of meth, cocaine, heroin, and MDMA (ecstasy). This drug consumption has fueled the illicit drug trade, with an estimated $11.5 billion spent on these substances.

Methamphetamine (ice) consumption rose to an estimated 12.8 tonnes. Use of other drugs also saw significant increases: cocaine was up almost 70%, MDMA nearly 50%, and heroin almost 15%.

According to Shane Neilson, a drug specialist with the commission, the market is rebounding after a drop in consumption due to tighter border controls and lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. The high prices Australians are willing and able to pay compared to other global markets are driving the business.

Mr. Neilson explained that drug traffickers will send tonnes of product to Australia’s borders, knowing that whatever gets through will generate enough profit to outweigh any losses from seizures.

“It’s just a relentless determination of transnational and domestic serious and organized crime groups to continue to supply the Australian market,” he said.

Organised crime groups are also believed to be behind a rise in illicit tobacco, though it’s impossible to determine how much of the nicotine consumed was obtained on the black market. Ketamine use is also increasing, with forensic analysts believing most of the drug being consumed is illicit rather than for medical or veterinary purposes.

A similar situation exists with cannabis. While thousands of people are medically prescribed the drug.

“Although the number of users of medicinal cannabis is increasing, it’s small relative to the overall use of cannabis,” Mr. Neilson noted.

The crime commission stated that the multi-billion-dollar expenditure on illicit drugs sends profits solely to organized criminals.

“There is no taxation on these profits, and economically it does have an impact,” Mr. Neilson said.

The latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey found that nearly one in two Australians aged 14 and over (10.2 million people) have used an illicit drug in their lifetime. An estimated one in five (3.9 million) have used one in the past 12 months.

Source: Australian Associated Press

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Manele’s Diplomatic Gambit: Pacific Unity the ‘Pacific Way’

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Dark skinned bald man wearing a suits.

SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister, Jeremiah Manele’s recent decision to exclude global powers from the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders’ meeting has sparked considerable debate in Western media.

While some outlets have framed it as a snub or a sign of growing Chinese influence, a closer look at Manele’s background as a seasoned diplomat suggests a more strategic motivation.

Having served in various diplomatic roles prior to becoming Prime Minister, Manele is known for his measured approach and deep understanding of international relations.

His comments regarding the PIF decision, therefore, should not be dismissed as mere oversight or the result of external pressure.

Diplomatic Background drives Strategic Move

Prime Minister Manele’s decision is deeply rooted in his extensive background as a career diplomat.
For decades, he has worked to advance the Solomon Islands’ interests on the international stage, giving him a unique perspective on managing relationships with powerful nations whilst prioritizing regional unity.

He began his career as a desk officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) in 1993.

Manele’s experience includes serving as a counselor and later Chargé d’Affaires at the Solomon Islands Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York from 1997 to 2002.

He also held senior roles within the government, including Permanent Secretary of the MFAET and Secretary to the Prime Minister and Cabinet. These positions have given him a comprehensive understanding of the domestic and international considerations that shape his nation’s foreign policy.

In explaining the rationale behind the move, Manele explicitly referenced the 2023 Rarotonga Leaders’ Communique.

“It is a sovereign decision for Solomon Islands as the host. We are deferring the dialogue partners meeting because the process for the review and reform of the Post-Forum Dialogue is ongoing,” Manele says.

This emphasis on regional ownership and the need for a strengthened internal approach to engaging with external partners emphasizes a strategic objective.

Manele is seemingly prioritizing the unity and autonomy of the Pacific Islands Forum, while allowing member states the space to define their own terms of engagement before being potentially pulled in different directions by competing global interests.

“The deferral aims to give the region time to strengthen our collective approach to engaging with our partners,” he further elaborated.

While the potential participation of Taiwan and China’s strong opposition are widely speculated to be a contributing factor, Manele’s public statements have consistently focused on the procedural aspects and the need to reinforce the Forum’s internal processes.

This diplomatic manoeuvring could be interpreted as an attempt to prevent a divisive issue from overshadowing the core agenda of the PIF, which traditionally centers on pressing regional concerns like climate change, the protection of the Pacific Ocean, and sustainable development.

The decision has elicited varied reactions from both within, and outside the Pacific.

While some leaders have voiced concerns, others appear to understand the strategic rationale.

President of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr, whose nation maintains ties with Taiwan, has publicly supported the deferral, suggesting a degree of regional understanding for Manele’s approach.

Ultimately, Jeremiah Manele’s diplomatic background lends assurance to the interpretation that the decision to defer dialogue partners is a calculated move, prioritizing regional solidarity and a more unified approach to external engagement.

Whether this strategic gambit will serve the long-term interests of the Blue Pacific remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly reflects a deliberate and well-meaning effort to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape with the region’s best interests at heart.

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Paradise Private Hospital Joins Nasfund’s Discount Program

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THE National Superannuation Fund (Nasfund) has announced a new partnership with Paradise Private Hospital (PPH), which will provide discounts for Nasfund members and registered employers.

The agreement, signed on Thursday, August 7th, 2025, makes PPH a new loyalty partner for Nasfund’s Employer to Employer (E2E) Discount Program and the Member Discount Program (MDP).

Under the partnership, Nasfund members and employers will receive a 10% discount on a variety of healthcare services at PPH, including outpatient and emergency services, maternity care, and diagnostic imaging like X-rays and ultrasounds. To get the discount, members must show a valid Nasfund membership card, while employers need to present a Nasfund E2E card.

“This initiative reflects a shared commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and affordability for Papua New Guineans,” Nasfund CEO Rajeev Sharma stated.

PPH Chairman Dr. Robin Sios, who signed the agreement along with Co-Owner Mrs. Janet Sios and CEO Dr. Polapoi Chalau, expressed excitement about the collaboration.

“We are excited about this loyalty program and to partner with the Fund to support promotional efforts to raise awareness of the benefits available to our Nasfund members and employers at our hospital,” said Dr. Sios.

Mrs. Sios added that the partnership is particularly meaningful because PPH is a nationally owned hospital and a large portion of its clients are already Nasfund members.

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Kumuls Star Johnston Cleared to Talk with New PNG NRL Team

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South Sydney Rabbitohs legend, Alex Johnston is now free to begin early negotiations to become the first player for Papua New Guinea’s new NRL franchise.

Johnston, who recently signed a two-year contract extension with the Rabbitohs, has a special clause in his deal that allows him to start talks with the new team before the usual cut-off date. This gives the PNG franchise a major advantage in securing a high-profile player with deep ties to the country.

Johnston’s grandmother was born in Papua New Guinea, and he is a proud representative of the Kumuls, having played 10 Tests for the national team. His connection to the country is well known, and he has often spoken about his love for PNG and its passionate fans.

South Sydney CEO, Blake Solly confirmed the special arrangement stating “Alex said with his connection to PNG it would be cool to be player number one.”

“He has been a captain of the national team, played 10 Tests and is revered in PNG. He will always have a home here at Souths, but if Alex and his family do decide they want to be part of the PNG team on its entry to the NRL competition; we respect and support that decision,” Solly added.

During a recent visit to PNG, Johnston expressed his strong interest in joining the new team.

Beyond playing for the new franchise, Johnston is also motivated to represent the Kumuls in the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Australia and Papua New Guinea. He hopes to help the team go further in the tournament than ever before.

“My motivation has always been to win competitions. Now it’s also to create a legacy and play for my family and make them proud,” Johnston said.

“I want to encourage those young kids playing rugby league to dream big.”

Currently, Johnston is closing in on the all-time NRL try-scoring record. With 207 tries in 239 games, he is just six tries shy of Ken Irvine’s record of 212. He will have a chance to add to his tally this weekend when the Rabbitohs take on the Gold Coast Titans.

Source: Australian Associated Press

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Storm Claim Top Spot as Broncos Face Injury Nightmare

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In a big blow for the Brisbane Broncos and their hopes of a top-four finish, the Melbourne Storm have taken over the number one spot on the NRL ladder.

The Storm’s 22-2 victory over the Broncos at AAMI Park on Thursday night was a strong display, but the real story was the shocking injury toll suffered by Brisbane.

Broncos coach Michael Maguire was left stunned after both his star halves, Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam, were knocked out of the game in the same play just 21 minutes in.

To make matters worse for the Brisbane faithful, winger Selwyn Cobbo also went off with a hamstring problem late in the match. All three players are now waiting for scan results that will determine the severity of their injuries, putting a massive hole in the Broncos’ side.

The injuries happened in a bizarre sequence as Reynolds and Mam chased down Storm winger, Xavier Coates after he intercepted a pass. While Cobbo made a brilliant try-saving tackle on Coates, the play proved costly for the Broncos. Mam suffered his injury in the tackle, while the experienced Reynolds pulled up clutching his leg moments later.

To their credit, the Broncos, with hooker, Ben Hunt and center, Kotoni Staggs filling in as a makeshift halves pairing, fought hard and kept the game close for a while.

But the Storm, a very strong team, were too good.

Tries from Tyran Wishart and Ryan Papenhuyzen gave Melbourne a 12-2 lead at half-time, and they finished the job in the second half with two more tries, including a penalty try.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy was very happy with his team’s performance, especially their strong defence, which kept the Broncos from scoring a single try.

This result continues a bad run for the Broncos at AAMI Park, where they have not won for nine years.

The Storm have now won 17 of their last 18 games against the Brisbane side.

For the many NRL fans across Papua New Guinea, this is a worrying sign for the Broncos, a team with a huge following in the country.

The loss of key players like Reynolds, Mam, and Cobbo could be a big problem for their premiership ambitions as the finals get closer. Everyone will be hoping for good news from the scans.

Source: Australian Associated Press

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Italian Citizen Freed by PNG Supreme Court

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Caucasian man wearing a black singlet

Papua New Guinea’s Supreme Court in Port Moresby has ordered the release of 52-year-old Italian citizen, Carlo D’Attanasio after a successful appeal.

The Supreme Court overturned the National Court’s decision, following an appeal by D’Attanasio through his lawyer David Dotaona against the State.

The court found that the original verdict, which convicted D’Attanasio, was unsafe and unsatisfactory.

The State’s Allegations

According to the State, D’Attanasio, a 52-year-old Italian national, was jointly accused with three other Papua New Guineans of knowingly concealing 611 kilograms of cocaine between February 1, 2020, and July 26, 2020. The cocaine was valued at two-hundred-million-kina (K200,000,000).

The State alleged that D’Attanasio and his co-accused, Morgan Mogu, met in 2018 in Milne Bay.

In early 2020, Mogu was told of a “big job” coming up, and in March-April 2020, a yacht would drop off cargo at Kupiano, Central Province. The co-accused allegedly transported the packages to Papa-Lealea in Central Province towards the end of July 2020, to be loaded onto a small plane.

On July 26, 2020, another accomplice, John Cutmore, landed a small plane at a makeshift runway. The plane crashed upon take-off, and the group removed the cocaine packages and hid them in the bush.

The Original Trial and Conviction

At the trial, the State relied on 137 exhibits of tendered evidence, including records of interviews with the four accused. There was no oral testimony, and all accused, including D’Attanasio, remained silent.
After hearing submissions, the trial judge accepted the State’s allegations and convicted the four accused of money laundering.

Grounds for Appeal

The appellant, Carlo D’Attanasio, decided to appeal the National Court’s decision. His grounds of appeal, presented by his lawyer David Dotaona, argued that the trial judge erred in law and fact in two respects:
First, by misinterpreting the elements of the offense, when the state’s allegations, even if sustained, did not support a conviction under section 508B(1) and second, by entering a conviction in the absence of sufficient admissible evidence, specifically that:

  1. The State’s case was based entirely on tendered evidence without oral testimony.
  2. Reliance was placed on uncorroborated evidence from a sniffer dog’s search of D’Attanasio’s yacht.
  3. The trial judge misapplied the principles of circumstantial evidence by not assisting a reasonable and innocent explanation of evidence tending to implicate D’Attanasio in his record of interview, and
  4. Evidence from co-accused was used against the appellant, contrary to the principles of accomplice evidence.

Key Evidence and Timeline

According to the determination of the appeal, D’Attanasio admitted to sailing his yacht, MV Badu, from South America.

According to records, D’Attanasio sailed to the Royal Papua Yacht Club marina on March 26, 2020. Due to COVID-19 protocols, he was told to anchor in isolation for 14-days.

MV Badu will now be returning home after Owner, Carlo D.Attanasio was freed by PNG Supreme court
MV Badu

Between April 9 and 14, 2020, D’Attanasio made repeated requests to come ashore via radio. He completed documentation at the Royal Papua Yacht Club mid April 2020, and the yacht was cleared by Customs on April 20, 2020.

Due to COVID-19 protocols, Customs did not search the yacht.

D’Attanasio’s passport had expired on March 7, 2020.

In early July 2020, D’Attanasio informed the Royal Papua Yacht Club that he intended to go to Alotau.
On July 26, 2020, the plane piloted by John Cutmore crashed at Papa-Lealea.

On 27th of July, 2020, Cutmore surrendered himself to the Australian High Commission, and was interviewed by Police on July 30, 2020.

Also on July 30, 2020, D’Attanasio’s co-accused were arrested, and 28 bags of cocaine located in the bush. That same day, D’Attanasio sought clearance to depart for Bali on August 1, 2020. Clearance was issued on the morning of August 1, but the vessel did not depart.

On August 3 and 4, 2020, a search of the MV Badu by police and customs, with assistance from a sniffer dog, indicated four areas of interest within the yacht. A small quantity of cocaine, 50 grams, was found in a plastic bag. However, no comparison was made between this cocaine and the 28 bags found at Papa-Lealea.

Supreme Court’s Decision

The Supreme Court determined that this was a “borderline case” due to the unclear disputed facts. The court found that while the circumstances were suspicious, the evidence was not strong enough to exclude a rational inference other than D’Attanasio’s guilt.

The three-man bench, comprising Justice David Cannings, Peter Toliken, and Teresa Berrigan, ruled that the conviction of the 52-year-old Italian citizen by the National Court was unsafe and unsatisfactory.

The court ordered that D’Attanasio’s appeal be allowed, the conviction quashed, and a verdict of not guilty substituted.

The decision was handed down in Waigani, National Capital District, on Thursday, July 31, 2025.

The now-free Carlo D’Attanasio, who is currently hospitalized with colorectal cancer, thanked his lawyer, David Dotaona, and expressed faith in PNG’s justice system. He is in close communication with the Italian Embassy to arrange his return home.

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