December 2024
Bigger than sport: PNG’s PM on getting an NRL team
James Marape, Papua New Guinea’s prime minister, says the bid to join the NRL goes way beyond sport and commerce for the country, and will also benefit Australia.
October 2024
The haka is overused and we shouldn’t just stand for it
It is preposterous that opponents are supposed to be mute and reverential while 15 man mountains threaten to tear them to tiny pieces, writes Oliver Brown.
Albanese defends Australia amid Pacific climate criticism
King Charles has used a summit of Commonwealth leaders to warn that lives, livelihoods and human rights are at risk across the Pacific from advancing climate change.
New Zealand Navy ship sinks off Samoa, all 75 on board safe
A Royal New Zealand Navy vessel ran aground and sank off Samoa but all 75 crew and passengers on board were safe, the New Zealand Defence Force says.
August 2024
Australia pressed to spend more climate dollars in Pacific
As he heads to the Pacific Islands Forum, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is under pressure to boost Australia’s contribution to poorer nations’ fight against climate change.
October 2023
A weekend of rugby drama sets up titanic quarter-final clashes
A match with two winners confirmed the Wallabies as the Rugby World Cup’s biggest losers, and sets up a mouthwatering series of Rugby quarterfinals.
September 2023
Do or die: Time for the Wallabies to step up against Wales
The world has got very ugly for the Wallabies since their loss to Fiji, and will get worse unless they bring the mongrel, determination and smarts needed to beat Wales.
March 2023
China should deal with Pacific as a pack, Samoa says
Samoan leader Fiame Naomi Mata’afa also says she has no problem with AUKUS as long new submarines do not carry nuclear weapons.
November 2022
Worried about over-tourism? Head to Samoa’s deserted beaches
At a time when the ultimate luxury is to be far from crowded places, this jewel of the South Pacific is having its moment in the sun.
September 2022
US and Pacific Islands agree ‘big dollar’ partnership to counter China
The Biden administration is hosting a summit with Pacific Island leaders in Washington to forge closer ties and stem China’s influence in the region.
June 2022
Steve Harker’s service to Samoan banking
The former Westpac director was a model of support for Pacific engagement with his offshore super fund.
May 2022
Pacific Islands forum welcomes closer ties with China
Australia and the US are closely watching Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s trip to the region, fearful China could be laying the groundwork for an eventual military presence.
April 2022
‘Remarkable similarity’: Solomons scripted by China, says PM
Relations between Australia and Solomon Islands have nosedived after Scott Morrison dismissed an attack on his government by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare as being scripted by Beijing.
Solomons PM slams AUKUS as China calls military base ‘fake news’
Chinese officials have told other Pacific island nations that Australia is interfering in their affairs.
March 2022
How Rene Rivkin’s lawyer helped Putin’s circle
While Zurich lawyer Benno Hafner was fending off Offset Alpine investigators, he was helping Russian oligarchs set up offshore funds to hide money
October 2021
Telstra joins Team Australia on China
Telstra would have no interest in Digicel without the federal government’s prodding and the generous taxpayer funding that allows it to proceed.
How to lift the lid on those Pandora’s boxes of offshore cash
The Australian government needs to honour its commitment to a transparent trail of ownership for money hidden away in tropical trust accounts.
Morrison knows Australia needs to do more on climate: Samoan PM
Fiame Naomi Mata’afa said global co-operation on the COVID-19 vaccine should be replicated to stop carbon emissions.
August 2021
Ardern under pressure to open borders as labour shortages bite
The dairy, horticulture, housing, services, health and broader public sector have all reported acute staff shortages, and called on the government to raise border blocks.
July 2021
Telstra caught in China row
Shareholders are alarmed the telco could be used as a Morrison government tool to outbid the Asian nation buying the Digicel Pacific phone network.