After surviving its first year intact following the 2024 earthquake election, Prime Minister Jotham Napat’s coalition enters 2026 with rare momentum. Despite defeating a no-confidence motion and settling long-standing teacher pay disputes, the government faces mounting pressure to clean up state institutions.
The Year of Records
The Napat administration’s first year was marked by high-stakes wins and legislative activity:
Climate Leadership: Won a historic ICJ advisory opinion on climate justice.
Labor Peace: Signed a VT4.25 billion deal to resolve teacher salary grievances.
Judicial Rigor: Successfully applied the 2023 Electoral Act to replace a convicted MP without a by-election.
“The public remains in the dark… poor regulation produces internationally embarrassing headlines.”
Demands for Reform
As the 14th legislature moves forward, critics are calling for three specific shifts:
Legislative Transparency: In 2025, nearly 300 new laws and regulations were passed, yet few reached the public or the Parliament website.
Public Service Accountability: Leaders are calling for an end to “nepotism and inefficiency.” Despite orders to stay open, many offices still close for lunch, hindering revenue.
Constitutional Consistency: High-level errors, such as a discriminatory by-law banning menstruating women from markets, highlight a need for better legal vetting at the State House.
The Road Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
While Vanuatu has avoided the democratic retreat seen in other parts of the world, its future depends on whether the Napat government chooses transparency over secrecy. With President Nikenike Vurobaravu’s term ending in 2027, the “mutual accountability” between the State House and the legislature will be tested.
As media veteran Moses Steven noted, the nation requires “a new mentality to serve the public.” If the government can release the citizenship report and overhaul the civil service, 2026 could mark the end of a decade-long decline in public trust. If not, the current stability may prove to be a temporary calm before the next political storm.
Source: Devpolicy Blog (devpolicy.org), from the Development Policy Centre at The Australian National University.
As a wave of Papua New Guineans and Pacific Islanders move and begin settling in Australia under the new Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV), the reality of the Australia’s housing crisis is reshaping where these new residents choose to call home. While Sydney and Brisbane have long been popular destinations, record-high rents are forcing a strategic shift toward emerging suburban hubs and more affordable southern capitals.
The latest Domain Rent Report highlights a stark divide in the market.
Melbourne has emerged as the most accessible entry point for newcomers, offering the cheapest house rents in the country at a median weekly rate of $580.
In contrast, Sydney remains the most expensive hurdle for families, with median rents hitting $800, followed by Brisbane at $670.
Housing experts note that this financial pressure is driving many to relocate further from city centers and into greenfield developments where infrastructure and lifestyle are rapidly improving.
For those navigating this transition, community support networks are proving vital.
In Melbourne’s more affordable western and eastern corridors, suburbs like Werribee West and Box Hill organizations such as PNGAA Victoria and the Louise Multicultural Community Centre offer essential settlement services ranging from English classes to networking for PNG and Pacific families.
These areas are also served by the Migrant Information Centre and the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) program, which provide direct advocacy for healthcare and education.
Despite the current rental surge in the northern states, property analysts expect a long-term shift in demand. Gareth Croy, Managing Director of financial and property firm Your Future Strategy, predicts that Melbourne will stand out as a “hero” for growth after the early 2030s.
“Based on the growth rates across other capital cities, it (Melbourne) is going to become substantially cheaper, and therefore it’s going to draw demand because that’s the option that people can afford,” Mr. Croy said.
In Queensland, the PNG Federation Queensland Inc and Mana Pasifika serve as critical cultural anchors for those moving into high-demand Brisbane suburbs like Bracken Ridge and Kedron.
Meanwhile, in Sydney’s western “second CBD” of Parramatta, the NSW Council for Pacific Communities and the PHIVE community hub provide resources for those managing a median house price of $1,480,000.
Ultimately, the choice of where to settle is being dictated by employment proximity rather than a desire for city-center living.
“It’s good old fashioned property economics around people wanting to live close to employment, so reducing travel time to and from work,” Mr. Croy said.
“So proximity to the CBD is less important for people and the creation of that hub is becoming desirable for people to just stay around that same area.”
Across the Pacific, rural women are bearing the brunt of a changing climate.
Floods devastating crops, disappearing resources for cultural weaving and economic hardship fuelling gender-based violence, human-driven global warming is taking a toll on women in the region.
Louisa Wall is a First Nations representative and former Aotearoa New Zealand MP who has long advocated for gender equality and human rights.
Funnelling more resources into projects to help Pacific women adapt to climate change is a priority for her as someone who has recently taken on the role of Oceanic Pacific Mobilisation Advisor at the upcoming Women Deliver gender equality conference to be held in Melbourne.
There are already funds available for climate adaptation, such as the recently-installed Pacific Resilience Facility, set up to ensure long-term, community-scale financing for flood-resilient roads and other projects.
But Ms Wall wants more going to women and girls directly.
“You already have a vulnerable population group, which are women and children, and then you add in this existential threat of climate,” she told AAP.
“It exacerbates the ability of women to live healthy, contributing, successful lives, where they have the autonomy to cultivate their own food or to use the raw materials around them to build crafts.”
Ms Wall will join like-minded advocates in pushing the issue ahead of the 2026 United Nations climate talks.
The annual talks are to be held in Turkey but with Australia in a “president of negotiations” role and a pre-COP meeting to be held in the Pacific islands.
Australia and the Pacific were bidding to co-host the conference in Adelaide but pulled out last-minute after a protracted stand-off with Turkey.
Ahead of COP31, Ms Wall will be helping have Pacific women’s voices heard at the flagship gender equality summit to be held in Melbourne in April next year.
Taking place in the Oceania Pacific region for the first time, the forum will provide an opportunity for women to share first-hand experiences of life under a changing climate and showcase female-led adaptation measures already taking place, Ms Wall said.
A common experience across the Pacific is the loss of raw materials used in weaving mats, baskets and other wares, crafts that can have cultural significance and provide a source of income for women.
Food security is another major problem, with crops knocked around by storms, pests and other conditions fuelled by climate change, and fishing stocks depleted by compromised coral reefs and marine habitats.
And, with worsening economic instability from failed crop yields and no goods to sell, the risk of physical and sexual violence is growing.
More competition for resources can prevent children going to school, Ms Wall said, forcing more women into early marriages and perpetuating cycles of inequality.
Ms Wall acknowledged her own privilege as someone spared from the horrors of sea level rise-forced migration and other extreme climate impacts, and stressed the importance of giving rural Pacific women the space to share their own stories.
“It’s incredibly important that women’s voices are part of any discussions related to climate change,” she said.
“The implications actually are about whether or not people can survive.”
In a powerful display of cultural and family pride, Brisbane Broncos powerhouse Payne Haas has revealed the deeply personal reason behind his decision to represent Samoa on the international stage.
The 25-year-old, a four-time representative for the Australian Kangaroos, spoke at Suncorp Stadium about the moment that cemented his choice: the anthems played before a clash with Samoa during the 2023 Pacific Championships.
“There was a moment when I played for Australia when we versed Samoa, the anthems were playing and my mind started racing back to lots of memories with my mum and her making us sing the national anthem of Samoa a lot in the back of the car,” Haas said, a red Samoan ula resting on his shoulders.
“From that moment onwards I wanted to play for Samoa and represent my mum’s side, the Taufua side, and make them proud and my grandparents as well.”
The journey to don the blue of Samoa is a full-circle moment for Haas, who was inspired by his uncle, Mark Taufua, a former Samoan Test player and now a staff member with the team.
“He played for Toa Samoa as well. I remember watching him do the Siva Tau (war dance) and I always wanted to do it,” Haas said.
“We used to always do it in front of the TV. So I get my moment now to play for Samoa, something I always wanted to do. I’m just privileged and blessed.”
Haas, who also has Filipino and Swiss heritage, said his mother, Joan Taufua, gave him her full blessing for the switch.
“It was more my mum and having her blessing. I spoke to her on the phone and she was all for it,” he said.
“To have my mother’s blessing means the world. I just want to make her proud and do our Taufua name proud.”
His decision has been met with respect, even from his former Australian coach. Haas said he spoke with Kevin Walters, who “took the news ‘well’ and understood his reasoning.”
With other top players like Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow reportedly considering a similar move, Haas offered a simple message to them: “Follow their heart.”
“Hopefully we get a few more boys over,” he said.
Haas is set to make his debut for Toa Samoa in the Pacific Cup against Tonga at Suncorp Stadium on October 26. He acknowledged the trailblazing efforts of Jason Taumalolo, who switched from New Zealand to Tonga in 2017 and changed the international landscape.
“He is someone that inspired me to make this move as well,” Haas said.
“I feel like versing Tonga here is just fitting. It is going to be massive. I can’t wait.”
The Pacific Cup is just the beginning. The ultimate goal for Haas and the Samoan squad is the Rugby League World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Australia and Papua New Guinea in 2026.
“I feel like we can win it with the team we have got now,” Haas stated confidently.
“We have great players and it is our goal to win the World Cup.”
The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) announced that it has received a US$60 million payment for 2024 from the United States government under the Economic Assistance Agreement (EAA) associated with the Treaty on Fisheries.
The payment, which was confirmed by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau earlier in the week, will be allocated to the 16 Pacific Island Parties that comprise the FFA’s membership.
“This is a positive and welcome development, and a clear demonstration of the US Government’s commitment to the EAA, the Treaty, and its cordial relationship with Pacific Island States,” said FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop.
Pakop expressed confidence that the initial payment would be a positive sign for the future of the agreement.
“We are confident that this initial payment will pave the way for the approval of the 2025 payment and future payments under the EAA,” he said.
The Treaty on Fisheries, which allows U.S. purse seine fishing vessels to operate within the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of the Pacific Island Parties, has been in effect for 37 years since it came into force in 1988.
Its terms and conditions have been periodically renegotiated, with the latest extension concluded in June 2024, extending the agreement for the next 10 years (2023-2033) with revised terms and a new financial package.
The 16 Pacific Island Parties involved are: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
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.
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.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Jeremiah Manele is setting a clear example for transparent governance in the Pacific.
Manele hosts a press conference twice every month, to brief journalists on the government’s latest activities, policies, and plans.
It is a commitment, he says, reflects his administration’s view of the media as a vital bridge between government and citizens.
“It’s important in terms of transparency and accountability,” Manele told InsidePNG and In-depth Solomons in an exclusive interview.
“It’s an opportunity where we can inform our people through the media on the implementation of government programs, policies, activities, even upcoming visits or the outcome of those we’ve undertaken.”
A Positive Shift from Past Leadership
His approach has been praised as a welcome departure from previous leadership styles.
“Manele’s decision to face the media and field questions from journalists is a huge step towards open government, transparency and accountability,” said Ofani Eremae, President of the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI).
“This is something that had been missing under the last leadership of Manasseh Sogavare,” he added.
“Regionally, I think Manele’s approach aligns more closely with norms seen in countries like Papua New Guinea, where Prime Minister James Marape holds media engagements, though sometimes more sporadically.”
Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation’s News and Current Affairs editor Fredrick Kusu said the fortnightly press conferences are welcome news for journalists in Solomon Islands.
“The decision to conduct regular press conferences with journalists is a positive development because it allows journalists to ask questions about governance directly to the Prime Minister,” Kusu said.
“This transparency enables the public to stay informed about what is happening in the country, especially at the government level,” he added.
In Solomon Islands, Journalists at a recent press conference hosed by the Prime Minister, Jeremiah Manele. [[Photo/SI PM’s Media]]
Countering the Rise of Misinformation and AI Manipulation
This practice is rare among regional leaders and comes at a time when AI-generated fake content and disinformation campaigns are rife online.
“What goes out to our people must be factual and true,” Manele said. “Misinformation can be a source of instability and disunity.”
Eremae agrees.
“Journalists must treat the challenge of disinformation and AI-generated content as both a professional and civic duty, adapting their skills and vigilance to protect truth, democracy, and public trust,” he emphasized.
“Our member organisations are aware of these challenges and have internal mechanisms to safeguard their content.”
PNG Media Calls for Greater Access and Structure
In neighbouring Papua New Guinea, media leaders have also recognised the need for more structured engagement with the government.
“PNG government leaders and state agency heads would benefit more from a robust and direct engagement with the media,” said Neville Choi, President of the Media Council of PNG (MCPNG).
“Transparency and accessibility are important to get their message out to the people, which is why the media continues to push for more in-person conferences and open communication.”
He added that while PNG has media access channels, much of it is informal and reliant on personal relationships with officials; a system that lacks consistency.
“Much of the access comes through direct contact with particular journalists or through government media units, and when the PM decides to hold an in-person media conference,” Choi said.
Information Access with a Responsible Framework
Access to government information in Solomon Islands is guided by its commitment to freedom of expression, though some limitations apply based on subject sensitivity according to PM Manele.
Once cabinet conclusions are formally adopted, journalists could approach the relevant ministries for further details.
“It depends on the nature of the subject,” Manele noted. “Some issues, particularly those related to national or international security, are understandably sensitive.”
MASI has been working to ensure that journalists are well equipped to handle such responsibilities professionally.
“One of MASI’s goals is to ensure the media acts responsibly and ethically,” said Eremae. “But government authorities also have a responsibility to provide reporters with information when it is requested. That’s how fair and balanced reporting happens.”
Building Journalistic Capacity and Awareness
Both MASI and MCPNG are actively strengthening their respective media sectors through training and advocacy.
“The MCPNG is currently supporting the roll-out of the Foundations of Journalism training program,” said Choi. “This training is an extremely effective mechanism which will bridge a perceived gap between the journalism knowledge and principles in media training schools, with skills received on the newsroom floor.
“We’re also compiling a discussion paper on AI and its implications for PNG’s media,” Choi added.
“There is a clear need for newsroom leaders to better understand AI tools and risks, especially as we approach the 2027 elections.”
Foreign Policy and Media in a Multipolar Pacific
On regional dynamics, PM Manele reiterated Solomon Islands’ “friends to all” policy.
In a landscape where global powers are increasingly vying for influence across the Pacific, including through media initiatives, he emphasized that his government remains focused on partnerships that advance national development.
“We are friends with Australia, China, the US, Japan, everyone. Our interests are developmental.
“We’re a geographically spread country with major infrastructure, health, and education challenges. So, we work with all partners to meet those needs.”
Collaboration Across Borders: A Shared Media Mission
As cross-border issues like environmental crime, organized corruption, and digital manipulation grow, both MASI and MCPNG say newsroom collaboration is crucial.
“Many of today’s biggest stories; corruption, organized crime, environmental destruction, do not stop at national borders,” Eremae said.
“Working together across the region helps expose these issues and strengthens journalism overall.”
“Collaborations like that of InsidePNG and In-depth Solomons foster exchange, deepen understanding of local contexts, and improve the quality of reporting,” said Choi.
“These efforts also make it harder for misinformation or criminal networks to escape scrutiny across jurisdictions.”
Climate change isn’t just a distant threat for our Pacific island communities; it’s a daily struggle impacting homes, food, and livelihoods.
Helen Tony, who lives in the small, low-lying village of Unakap on Vanuatu’s Nguna island, knows this reality all too well.
For 15 years, Helen has seen how a changing climate makes life harder. Growing fruits and vegetables has become a challenge, especially after cyclones bring destructive insects. Her husband too, is catching fewer fish because the reefs and ocean ecosystems are damaged by extreme weather, warmer waters, and ocean acidification.
Their family of five relies on income to buy food from local markets, but even Helen’s traditional craft of weaving mats, fans, purses, and baskets from pandanus leaves has been hit.
“To weave them… the leaves need to be dry but more rain than is typical has been shrinking her output and the cash she generates selling her wares.”
A Constant Battle for Recovery
Vanuatu, an archipelago familiar with volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides, is no stranger to disaster and the long road to recovery. However, the added burden of climate change impacts and more intense cyclones and storms is making it increasingly difficult to bounce back.
Pallen Abraham Philip, World Vision’s humanitarian emergency security affairs manager, notes that while cyclones have always been part of life, they’re now stronger and hitting out of season.
“They’re still in the recovery mode, then the next hits,” he explains.
This was evident with Category five Cyclone Pam in 2015 and the twin tropical cyclones Judy and Kevin that tore through just days apart in 2023.
Finding Solutions, Facing New Challenges
Significant funding is crucial for vulnerable regional and rural communities to recover and adapt. Vanuatu receives support through various programs, including the Green Climate Fund on Nguna and neighbouring islands, backed by the Vanuatu government and Save the Children.
Australia’s $50 million contribution to this is part of its broader $100 million Pacific Resilience Facility, which supports small, high-impact initiatives to help communities prepare for disasters.
Whitely Tasaruru, the Nguna and Pele area climate change manager for Vanuatu’s Community-based Climate Resilience Project, works to ensure adaptation measures like coastal tree planting, seawall construction, and coral restoration work together.
For Nguna, the long-term goal is to gradually relocate low-lying villages to higher ground. In the short term, communities want to protect buildings and infrastructure, including the road connecting coastal communities.
Mr. Tasaruru says planting more vegetation and trees along the shoreline will help, as will a planned seawall in an erosion-prone spot.
However, climate solutions can sometimes create new problems. For example, building a road to higher ground for relocating households has involved mining sand from the island’s beach for the cement structure.
“But extracting the sand has created openings and channels on the beach that are leaving nearby settlements more exposed to storm surge and wash damage.”
“Many community members here have concerns,” Mr. Tasaruru shares, suggesting sourcing sand from Port Vila on the mainland island of Efate as a better option.
Innovation Amidst Adversity
On neighbouring Pele, Salome Kalo from Pilliura village has championed a solar-powered food dryer. With sandy, less productive soil, food security is a concern, especially with storms.
The dryer, which uses warm air to preserve produce, “helps us a lot,” says Ms. Kalo. Unfortunately, their dryer was destroyed in a storm a few months ago. “We have to build that again this month.”
Like Nguna, Pele communities are also scouting higher ground for future relocation. Edward Lani from Pilliura village expects their way of life to change when they move away from the beach.
“There are people who live along the coast, they depend entirely on the ocean for food but if they move inland, it would change their way of getting food for the household,” he explains.
But for Mr. Lani, moving inland isn’t his biggest worry. He’s more concerned that young people will leave the island entirely to escape the worsening environmental conditions.
This initiative, part of a long-standing inter-parliamentary cooperation, underscores Bougainville’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions as it navigates its post-referendum path.
The visiting delegation, comprising Peter Topura, Clerk of the Bougainville House of Representatives; Adrian Hihiru, Assistant Legal Counsel; and Wesley Porake, Director of Finance and Administration, represents a focused effort to gain practical insights from a fellow Pacific Island nation.
A FOUNDATION OF REGIONAL COOPERATION
The attachment is a direct outcome of a parliamentary twinning arrangement established in 2007 under the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s Pacific Twinning Program.
This partnership, which also includes the Parliament of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, aims to strengthen institutional capacity, promote democratic governance, and nurture regional parliamentary cooperation.
Clerk of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands Jefferson Hallu explained that under the twinning program “each state parliament in Australia is paired with one or two island countries in the Pacific.”
“The main aim is to foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing and capacity building. It’s something that is important in our legislatures,” he added.
“Apart from Australia, there are only other Pacific countries and in order for ‘Birds of the same feather to flock together’, we have to collaborate, share our common challenges and learn from each other, strengthen the democratic processes and procedures and in a way, strengthen Pacific parliaments and the parliamentary democratic process.”
Hallu noted that past activities under the twinning program typically took place in Sydney, Australia.
“The activities we have engaged in the past include, training placements, we’ve had good opportunity to be placed with respective departments in the more matured jurisdictions in New South Wales; and NSW has sent colleagues to us.”
BHOR’s visit to the Solomon Islands is a first of its kind within their twinning partnership and it has been very exciting and insightful.
Clerk of the Bougainville House of Representatives, Peter Topura(Left) and Clerk of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands, Jefferson Hallu.
Clerk of the Bougainville House of Representatives, Peter Topura said, the visit by BHOR had a focus on committee work and procedure, however, he has now decided to include the Finance aspect in Parliamentary service to their list of learnings.
“Now my thoughts are to include the finance aspect in parliamentary service so we can understand how parliamentary service finance works in parliamentary procedures and legal service work here in the Solomon Islands.
“Because our focus is to learn and twinning is part of collaboration and learning from each other.
“In Papua New Guinea, we have a parliamentary partnership with the National Parliament and we do an attachment with PNG, that is within the country. This one is outside of the country under the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association,” Topura added.
He explained that BHOR joined the CPA in 2006 and has since attended various conferences, seminars, and workshops.
When the twinning concept was introduced in 2007, BHOR officially became part of the partnership in 2010.
Both Hallu and Topura, who were appointed between 2024 and 2025, said the partnership has helped them exchange knowledge and grow professionally and contribute to their respective parliaments.
GAINING PRACTICAL EXPERTISE FOR BOUGAINVILLE’S FUTURE
Throughout their time in Honiara, the Bougainville officials are engaging directly with key departments of the National Parliament of the Solomon Islands.
This immersive experience is designed to provide first-hand insights into the administrative, procedural, and legal functions vital for effective parliamentary operations.
Meetings are scheduled with the Parliamentary Procedure Office, Finance and Administration, Committee Secretariat, Library, Research and Information services, Public Engagement Department (including Civic Education and Media), and the Hansard Department.
When asked about their specific objectives for the attachment, Topura shared, “in terms of politics and what we do at the Parliamentary level, we are more focused on building parliaments, that’s what we do”.
“In terms of finance, how parliament is supported by the Government in doing its work; committee work and supporting members constituency responsibilities.
“In terms of procedures we are understanding how bills are brought to parliament and what stages they go through and basically how the parliament prepares its bills; where does it go until the bill is passed.”
The delegation expressed optimism about applying these learnings to Bougainville’s unique context.
Topura said context in any situation, any location can be different but the processes of any parliament remain the same.
This targeted learning is particularly crucial as Bougainville continues its journey towards greater autonomy and self-determination.
BUILDING RESILIENT INSTITUTIONS
Hallu and Topura also reflected on the broader challenges and opportunities facing their respective Houses.
“One of the values we hold dear to our work in Parliament is to remain apolitical and not to let political convictions and abuse affect our work as a staff of parliament,” said Hallu.
In the same tune, Topura added that their roles are to be impartial and neutral at all times, however, within the Melanesian societies where our ways are deeply rooted to our culture, it poses the biggest challenge.
He said in Australia, they’ve barely seen this as much of a challenge, hence amplifying the significance of their partnerships with the PNG and Solomon Islands parliaments.
“That’s something we are working on and discussing with the PNG National Parliament and Solomon Islands National parliament, we want to learn how to deal with this.”
A MESSAGE OF COLLABORATION
This visit reaffirms the unwavering commitment of both the Bougainville House of Representatives and the National Parliament of Solomon Islands to ongoing collaboration and mutual learning.
For the National Parliament of Solomon Islands, hosting such programs also offers reciprocal benefits.
“Now we are in discussions on how we can work together, and they (SINP) can come to Bougainville as part of the Twinning Program,” said Topura.
In agreement, Hallu said “SINP is looking forward to strengthening the partnerships by reciprocating visits and exchanges between the BHOR and SINP.”
Looking ahead, the commitment to regional stability and democratic development remains paramount.
And while they appreciate the support and training from international relations including that they have received in twinning placements in NSW parliament, both BHOR and SINP agree that greater collaboration among Melanesian nations and the wider Pacific region is crucial to strengthening regional unity and stability.
Ultimately, this attachment program underscores the vital role of regional partnerships in building resilient parliamentary institutions, laying crucial groundwork for Bougainville’s self-governing future and reinforcing the Solomon Islands National Parliament’s contributions to a stronger, more democratic Pacific.
Two emerging investigative newsrooms in the Pacific – In-depth Solomons and Inside PNG – have launched a new collaboration designed to strengthen cross-border investigative journalism in the region.
As part of the partnership, two Inside PNG journalists are currently in Honiara on a two-week attachment with In-depth Solomons.
The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration between the two newsrooms, both member centres of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), the world’s leading network of investigative journalists.
In-depth Solomons co-founder and editor Ofani Eremae said the initiative is about more than just newsroom exchange.
“It’s about building lasting professional ties and working together on stories that transcend national borders,” Eremae said.
“Our vision is to strengthen collaboration between investigative journalists in the Pacific,” he added..
“By working side by side, sharing skills, and tackling stories together, we can better expose issues that affect our countries and the region as a whole.”
New Zealand’s Deputy High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Her Excellency Rebecca Williams (third from right) with staff from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), Inside PNG and In-depth Solomons during a lunch meeting this week, at Mendana Hotel, Honiara. The New Zealand Government is also a proud partner supporting both independent newsrooms in their mission to strengthen investigative journalism across the Pacific.
Inside PNG Managing Director, Kila Wani, who is part of the visiting team alongside colleague Helen Sea, said the partnership offers a unique opportunity for Pacific journalists to share experiences and perspectives.
“This attachment is not just about learning – it’s about collaborating on real stories and strengthening the ties between our newsrooms,” Wani said.
“We’re excited to work with the In-depth Solomons team and explore ways to tell stories that matter to our people.”
Both newsrooms have been recognised for their fearless reporting on corruption, governance, and environmental issues.
This partnership, Eremae says, will help amplify their impact and contribute to a stronger, more connected investigative journalism community in the Pacific.
The exchange is expected to include joint story projects, newsroom training, and ongoing collaboration beyond the attachment period.
It marks the first of its kind in the Pacific, setting a precedent for regional media cooperation on investigative reporting. It also lays the groundwork for future joint investigations into pressing issues like transnational crimes and political accountability within the region.
“We share a common mission,” Eremae said. “And together, we can make our stories – and our voices – even stronger.”
This article is a joint collaboration by Inside PNG and In-depth Solomons.
