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Opposition parties demand that Puna accept defeat

By Phillipa Webb

RAROTONGA, Cook Islands (Cook Islands News, Dec. 31, 2014) – Prime Minister Henry Puna should take a hike, and a new government should be formed in the New Year.

That’s the latest message from the Democratic Party and One Cook Islands, neither of whom support Prime Minister Henry Puna’s defiant efforts to stay on as Prime Minister, says Demo leader Wilkie Rasmussen.

"He should accept defeat and leave with the little dignity he has left, or else he will go down in history as a PM unceremoniously booted out of office."

It is now common knowledge to all that Puna made a dreadful mistake when he called a snap election last July, says Rasmussen.

"The most obvious spin-off from his personal decision is the breakdown of his Government and its ongoing lack of direction.

"All the Democrats and One Cook Islands did was take up his invitation to fight, and indeed won that fight...

No candidate wins majority of vote, another round planned

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Dec. 31, 2014) – New Caledonia's collegial government has failed to elect a new president to replace Cynthia Ligeard whose administration collapsed two weeks ago.

The Congress decided to reconfirm the same ministers but once the re-elected 11-member executive met to elect a president, no candidate won a majority.

The rift within the dominant anti-independence majority, which prompted the goverment's fall, meant that neither Mrs Ligeard of the Front for Unity nor Philippe Germain of the Caledonia Together Party could get six backers.

The five pro-independence ministers abstained, which means a further presidential election is now due on Tuesday.

It is uncertain if the next round will yield a winner as it is unclear how long the territory can operate without a president because without one, the government remains in a caretaker...

Required infrastructure unlikely to be ready by July: Report

By Alexander Rheeney

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, Dec. 31, 2014) – Key infrastructure needed for the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby are unlikely to be completed when the premier regional sporting event gets underway in July next year.

A confidential report for the Pacific Games Venue Infrastructure and Equipment Committee obtained by the Post-Courier highlights major concerns about the completion dates for work on the Games Village, the Taurama Aquatic and Indoor Complex, the Sir John Guise Indoor and Outdoor Complex and the Rita Flynn Courts.

On the Games Village at the University of Papua New Guinea, the report said it is unlikely that all the buildings will be completed and the overall construction program is being delayed by eight weeks.

For the Taurama Aquatic and Indoor Complex, minor finishing works is being done but seats in the middle arena will not be...

Developers encouraged through various tax saving measures

By Shawn Raymundo

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Pacific Daily News, Jan. 1, 2015) – A new island law enacted yesterday creates a program that offers tax incentives to hotel developers. The Legislation is part of a push to build 1,600 new hotel rooms on Guam by 2020.

In an effort to keep up with tourism growth projected by the Guam Visitors Bureau, Gov. Eddie Calvo signed Bill 416-32, which sets up a tax incentive program called the "Special Hotel Qualifying Certificate." The certificate would be awarded to companies that construct new hotels on Guam.

"There's a bunch of investors that look toward the signing of this legislation and looking forward to taking advantage of this QC," Calvo said during the bill signing ceremony at Adelup.

Sen. Dennis Rodriguez, D-Dededo, who authored the bill, said it also would extend the incentive program to existing hotels on island that are planning to expand facilities...