Australia

The vehicle will support Ministry of Health’s (MoH) Environmental Health Unit, in their efforts to combat the spread of the Zika virus, and other vector borne diseases in Tonga.

Tonga, through their National Zika Response Plan, has been working to reduce the spread of the Zika epidemic in Tonga.

Tonga has reported a cumulative total of 2299 cases including 41 cases of suspected Zika in pregnant women.

Julie Bishop says she will formally open the new emabssy in Jakarta and also visit the Eastern city of Makassar to open a consulate-general there.

She says Makassar, on Sulawesi Island, is a key commercial hub for Australians doing business in the east of Indonesia.

PACNEWS reports this was revealed by Australia’s foreign minister Julie Bishop after meetings with Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola in Suva. 

That’s over and above those who came to Australia under the earlier seasonal worker pilot programme, said Minister for Trade and Investment, Senator Richard Colbeck.

“We are in the process of negotiating an updated seasonal worker programme MOU with participant countries and we will sign an updated MOU with the Solomon Islands, and we're very pleased to be doing that.

It gave US$6.5 million dollars last year and has just announced another US$359,000 dollars in additional support for the North Pacific.

The foreign minister Julie Bishop said the money will focus initially on the Marshall Islands where a state of emergency is in force.

The island group was affected by the close passage of Cyclone Winston on Tuesday 16 February and again on Friday 19 February.

While there has been damage to agricultural food crops, some schools, military camp and hospital, Vava’u has emerged without significant damage to major infrastructure.

The funding package will be a rapid release of pre-positioned stores and food items to assist people who remain in evacuation centres.

The supplies will give communities access to safe drinking water and basic hygiene for those who have lost houses and remain displaced.

Four people have been charged over the importation and manufacture of 720 litres of methamphetamine.

Authorities discovered the drugs in a shipment from Asia to Australia and found the remainder in storage units in Sydney.

The ice was allegedly hidden in stick-on 'water magic' push up bras, bottles of craft glue and painting sets.

As High Commissioner Mr Ford will build on Tonga and Australia’s longstanding and cooperative relationship.

“I look forward to building on Tonga and Australia’s close and broad partnership” said Mr Ford. “Australia will continue to work together with Tonga for economic prosperity, improved development outcomes and stability in the region.”

Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Steve Ciobo announced support for the programme.

The Australian Government is providing $780,000 to Cricket Australia over the next two years, in partnership with the International Cricket Council, to support community programs that address health, gender equality and disability challenges in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Samoa and Fiji.