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Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i

Challenged In Tonga
People’s representative questions legality of funds, ownership

NUKUALOFA, Tonga (Matangi Tonga, June 4, 2013) – Government payouts amounting to over $3 million pa'anga [US$1.7 million] to three royal estate holders are being challenged by Sione Taione, a People's Representative to the Tonga Legislative Assembly, who filed an application with the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on 29 May for a Judicial Review.

He is asking the Supreme Court to make a ruling on the legality of over $3 million pa'anga in advance lease payments to three royal estate holders that were authorized by government on 23 March 2011. The leases are in the area of the Fu'amotu International Airport.

In his application he states that on 30 June 2011, $2 million was paid to Lord Kalaniuvalu by the government of Tonga, for an advance...

Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i

Hospital
Experts on hand to prep facilities before important inspection

By Tammy Doty

SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, June 5, 2013) – Once again the crisply ironed, handsome uniforms of the U.S. Public Health Service Corps, or USPHS, are populating the halls of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands lone hospital.

In preparation for the approaching re-survey of the Commonwealth Healthcare Center by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, or CMS, federal officials had dispatched a another team of experts for a two-week mission.

The main objective of the federal team of healthcare experts is to put the hospital through a "mock" survey to identify any new compliance issues as well as ensure those already identified by CMS’ prior survey have been rectified.

CMS is expected on island as early as the...

Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i

Support
UNDP representative says judiciary can help reduce stigmas

MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, June 4, 2013) – Thirty judges from sixteen Asia Pacific nations have met in Thailand to discuss how they can create a more supportive environment for people with HIV-AIDS.

The senior judges heard how progressive legal decisions can have a significant impact on the human rights of people with HIV-AIDS at the forum in Bangkok.

Dr. Mandeep Dhaliwal, director of UNDP's HIV, Health & Development Practice, has told Radio Australia's Asia Pacific although judges work in different social and cultural contexts, they all have the same responsibility to protect human rights.

"I think they can certainly play a role in reducing stigma both within the court room, the legal community, but also in the community at...

Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i

Petition
Now-former MP accused of bribing potential voters

By Rosalyn Albaniel-Evara

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, June 4, 2013) – Madang MP and Police Minister Nixon Duban has lost his seat following a successful election petition against him in Papua New Guinea.

Justice Les Gavara-Nanu yesterday declared Mr. Duban’s election in the 2013 polls null and void at the Madang Court of Disputed Returns.

Mr. Philip Duban is a member of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s People’s National Congress Party. The election petition was filed by runner up Bryan Kramer, an independent candidate and the founder of the Youth-Link who polled 7,939 votes behind Mr. Duban, who polled 8,483. Mr. Kramer alleged four grounds of illegal practices, bribery and undue influence.

Mr. Duban was declared as the duly...