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We are co-operating with PNG on Manus case

The three, who worked for a security contractor at the asylum seeker processing centre on PNG's Manus Island, are accused of raping another employee at the Australian-run centre.

Shortly after the alleged rape in July, the three were flown out of the country.

PNG police efforts to have the three extradited have so far been unsuccessful.

PNG's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said the three guards must be returned to be tried under the law in PNG, where rape convictions carry the death sentence.

Robust talks tipped for Pacific forum

Port Moresby is hosting the Pacific Islands Forum leaders summit from Monday and Rimbink Pato says PNG is ready to take on a strong leadership role on shared development, social, economic and environmental challenges.

“In order for regionalism to work properly the leaders will hold frank discussions about pooling sovereignty, sharing resources and agreeing upon regional practices,” Pato told reporters in Port Moresby on Friday.

Attempt to smuggle bullets to Papua foiled

A Jakarta police spokesperson says they are still investigating the case, but it's suspected the ammunition had been ordered by Papuan separatists.

The police say the ammunition was found without proper paperwork on Monday, and was ready to be dispatched to Papua.

After arresting the man who checked in the baggage, the police say they learned that a Papua separatist group member had ordered the bullets.

The ammunition is now being kept at the airport while investigations continue.

 

Torres-PNG border checks must be bolstered: Warren Entsch

Entsch, whose far north Queensland electorate takes in the Torres Strait, will today take Health Minister Sussan Ley and Attorney-General George Brandis to one of Australia’s most northerly points, the remote ­Saibai Island, to push his case for a greater government presence on the porous border.

MSG Trade and Economic Meetings in Fiji

The meetings are being held at the Tanoa International Hotel, Nadi, Fiji. 

Senior officials and representatives from Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu will be in attendance as part of talks towards a new and more comprehensive trade agreement - MSGTA3 – that will now include Trade in Services, and new chapters such as Labour Mobility, Investment, and Telecommunications. 

MSG Leaders have directed that a draft legal text of the trade agreement must be ready by November 2015.

The meetings include: 

Scientists call for regional coordination of seabed mining

Papua New Guinea is closest to having deep water mining begin in the Bismarck Sea, while the Cook Islands last week opened up bidding for exploratory licences.

But a principal scientist at New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Malcolm Clark, says scientists working with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community are pushing for more collaboration among Pacific Island countries.

Australia, PNG to seek Kokoda heritage listing

Environment Minister Greg Hunt said this would help to build tourism and economic development opportunities for local people and provide a high level of protection for the natural and cultural values of the area.

Hunt, who visited the Kokoda Track with PNG environment minister John Pundari on Monday, said the listing was an important objective under the Kokoda Initiative, launched in 2008 to protect and manage this important area.

Meanwhile, Australia is helping fund a floating medical training and healthcare ship for remote coastal villages in Papua New Guinea.

Fiji re-engages on Forum senior officials level

A Fiji Government delegation attended the Forum's Officials Committee meeting which has been setting the agenda for the leaders' summit next month in Papua New Guinea.

Fiji was suspended from the Forum in 2009 for refusing to return to democracy.

Last year it was re-admitted after the elections but the Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has been stressing he will not attend the summit in Port Moresby.

FBC News reports the roving Pacific Ambassador Litia Mawi saying the re-engagement is strategic to ensure Fiji's position on regional issues is heard.

PNG checks for more ‘slaves’ on seized ship

The ship was seized on July 27 just off Daru Island, the administrative centre for Western Province on the PNG side of international border in the Torres Strait.

The 80-meter Blissful Reefer is due in the capital Port Moresby today from Daru, where the men will be interviewed with IOM interpreters.

“There were initially eight victims of trafficking that we identified, they are now under IOM care in Port Moresby,” said IOM country director George Gerouriou from Daru. 

PNG games rated the best Pacific Games

The facilities were classed as world class and there was a rush to finish them. There were security concerns which the Papua New Guinea Government quashed by having the police and military on the streets.

In Fiji, sporting bodies were getting their best together.

According to FASANOC president Joe Rodan, the Pacific Games was almost equivalent to the Olympic Games for some sports and for some island nations as well.

This was to be my first trip to Papua New Guinea, the "Land of the Unexpected" and believe me I was a bit anxious.