Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (8 May 2021): Solomon Islands, Samoa, Palau, Vanuatu

Pacific anti-corruption journalists call for regional commitment to media freedom.  Marking World Press Freedom Day 2021, the Pacific Anti-Corruption Journalists Network (PACJN) has called for a regional Pacific commitment to boost media freedom

and help increase reporting on activities at risk of corruption…PACJN's media strengthening work is being delivered by the Pacific Islands News Association, which is supported by the United Nations Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project, a joint initiative by UNODC and UNDP supported by the Australian Government and the New Zealand Aid Programme.

https://www.solomontimes.com/news/pacific-anticorruption-journalists-call-for-regional-commitment-to-media-freedom/10807

https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Pacific-anti-corruption-journalists-call-for-regional-commitment-to-media-freedom-fr4x58/

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS

Anti-Corruption Commission Rolls Out Recruitment Plan.  The newly established Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC) office is now rolling out its recruitment Plan.

https://www.solomontimes.com/news/anticorruption-commission-rolls-out-recruitment-plan/10802

 

SAMOA

FAST Leader tells Samoa Head of State calling fresh elections undermine rule of law.  The FAST Party Leader, Fiamē Naomi Mata'afa has written to the Head of State advising that his intention to call for new elections as wrong, unlawful and threaten and undermine the rule of law.

http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=7311941466091c75fc60b8e5545242

 

PALAU

Palau President Whipps first 100 days focus on government realignment.  President Surangel Whipps Jr delivered his first State of The Republic Address…"Our government is being reorganized and realigned to improve services through greater transparency and accountability. Certainly, it is not about scaling down the workforce; instead, it is about improving services."

https://islandtimes.org/president-whipps-first-100-days-focus-on-government-realignment/

 

VANUATU

Vanuatu Parliament Clerk under investigation.  Vanuatu Speaker of Parliament, Gracia Shadrack has appointed a panel to investigate Clerk of Parliament, Raymond Manuaken over allegations of serious misconduct, neglecting of duties and incompetency.

https://dailypost.vu/news/parliament-clerk-under-investigation/article_4aaaaa00-ab95-11eb-9902-0f78634a9dd3.html