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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 31 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Apologies for yesterday's publishing failure of the Digest. However, that said, there has been very little of significance in recent days. Most touching, however, has been the regard shown by staff of the Daily Post for their colleague BJ Skane who died l" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 31 December 2015 by bobmakin Apologies for yesterday's publishing failure of the Digest. However, that said, there has been very little of significance in recent days. Most touching, however, has been the regard shown by staff of the Daily Post for their colleague BJ Skane who died last night at Vila Central Hospital, after a short illness. No details are available as yet. The Digest will take a break for a few days now, to the end of the holiday period. Digest readers and Vanuatu together are wished a happy and prosperous New Year. bobmakin | December 31, 2015 at 4:35 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-FL Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1NWBDK5 Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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Google Alert - Melanesia

Melanesia Weekly update ⋅ December 30, 2015 NEWS EMTV Online Voice of Melanesia: PNG Needs Econimic Independence EMTV Online The Voice of Melanesia expressed concerns following a petition submitted to the government in June this year for the declaration of economic ... Flag as irrelevant The Edwardsville Intelligencer Function & Ceremony: The Art of Melanesia exhibition, Featured image is Canoe Prow, Trobriand ... The Edwardsville Intelligencer The leading real estate magazine in southwestern Illinois since 1990. Published by the Edwardsville Publishing Co., LLC ... Flag as irrelevant New insights on origin of Polynesians Popular Archaeology 3,000 to 2,850-year-old skulls recovered from the Teouma site and 270 more skulls from Australia, Melanesia, Western Micronesia, Polynesia, and ... Flag as irrelevant See more results | Edit this alert You have received this email because you have subscribed to Google Alerts. Unsubscribe | View all your alerts Receive this alert as RSS feed Send Feedback

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 29 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "During the coming few days this news site will be somewhat abbreviated. I must, however, draw your attention to a significant story run by Daily Post in the issue of last weekend. Ed. The link is: http://ift.tt/1PtD0mf" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 29 December 2015 by bobmakin During the coming few days this news site will be somewhat abbreviated. I must, however, draw your attention to a significant story run by Daily Post in the issue of last weekend. Ed. The link is: http://ift.tt/1Sk1wst bobmakin | December 29, 2015 at 2:24 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-FK Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1PtD2KB Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest 28 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The Teaching Service Commission has announced that Vanuatu Government registered schools must only employ licensed teachers in 2016. This is covered by the parliamentary law in the matter. Teachers must be so covered before the end of January. Teachers we" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest 28 December 2015 by bobmakin The Teaching Service Commission has announced that Vanuatu Government registered schools must only employ licensed teachers in 2016. This is covered by the parliamentary law in the matter. Teachers must be so covered before the end of January. Teachers were urged to get themselves suitably licensed quickly. Official results for this year's exams will be published on Thursday. School term dates for next year are February 8 to May 6, 23 May to 19 August and the third term is 5 September to 2 December. The Australian Government and OGCIO of the Vanuatu Government are increasing computer availability to schools next year in line with the VanGov policy that 98% of the population will have access to the internet by 30 January 2018. The broadcast statement said that 9,000 children will have access to computers in 2016. VT 270 million is said to be required for the schools' start in the programme. VBTC said nothing about the cost of electrification of all villages to produce the 98% of the population's accessibility to internet. The last export statistics show both copra and kava are significantly down on the same period last year. Of course this is because of the ravages of cyclone Pam. The Port Vila Seafront will not be permitted to be used for events as previously henceforth owing to the Port Vila beautification plan. Alleged breach of contract by the Government, has allegedly seen VRS in Hong Kong (our residency permission sales company) taking out an action against the Gov't. More on this tomorrow. bobmakin | December 28, 2015 at 5:15 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-FJ Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1QVMz0h Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 24 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Vanuatu's Ambassador to the United Nations Odo Tevi has been elected to chair one of the UN meetings of the Commission on Disarmament. This is seen as a task of considerable international magnitude by the Department of Foreign Affairs which appreciates th" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 24 December 2015 by bobmakin Vanuatu's Ambassador to the United Nations Odo Tevi has been elected to chair one of the UN meetings of the Commission on Disarmament. This is seen as a task of considerable international magnitude by the Department of Foreign Affairs which appreciates the confidence expressed in Tevi. January 5 will see the announcement of candidates for the general election on 22 January. The Ministry of Education has advised that over 200 teachers serving in the Republic are not on the government payroll. DG Roy Obed says some schools were set up by politicians or organisations which asked the government to support them, but which then placed teachers without following the appropriate professional guidelines. The Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry - the VCCI - is pleased the Vanuatu Workers' Union has decided to participate in the Tripartite Labour Advisory Council (TLAC) meetings to discuss employee leave entitlements. Labour Commissioner Kaluat is pleased that work can proceed with ILO assistance for a replacement to the Employment Act. Paama chiefs are concerned that still nothing has been done about the wreck of the MV Kimbe off Tavulai after many years of spreading oil waste and pollution in their waters. The issue has often been raised in the media. Villagers are unable to use any of the reef and near shore marine life for consumption. Vanuatu's graduation out of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) grouping has been deferred until 2020. Lower tariffs and export fees are amongst the preferential terms from which we can continue to benefit for a little longer. The death has been announced of Richard Leona of Pentecost, another of the country's "founding fathers". A highly regarded teacher from Loltong, he is also known for his great contribution to cultural affairs as chairman of the VKS Fieldworkers for 20 years. He also played a significant role in Araga research for a definitive Raga dictionary still awaiting publication. The Citizenship Commission has made a billion vatu in citizenship sales this year. 123 new citizenship certificates were handed out on Monday this week for persons naturalised, non-citizens marrying Ni-Vanuatu, and re-gainers of the privilege. Happy Christmas to Digest readers bobmakin | December 24, 2015 at 10:37 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-FI Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1Jw7peX Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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Google Alert - Melanesia

Melanesia Weekly update ⋅ December 23, 2015 NEWS HR conference scholarship attracts international apps Gay NZ ... of Human Rights and Health in the states of Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, Melanesia and the Micronesian Islands. Flag as irrelevant See more results | Edit this alert You have received this email because you have subscribed to Google Alerts. Unsubscribe | View all your alerts Receive this alert as RSS feed Send Feedback

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 23 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Even the news of the Conspiracy Preliminary Inquiry today is overshadowed by the extraordinary win by the Graon mo Jastis Pati in the Santo Malo provincial election last week. All media have carried it in various forms since last evening's broadcast from " Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 23 December 2015 by bobmakin Even the news of the Conspiracy Preliminary Inquiry today is overshadowed by the extraordinary win by the Graon mo Jastis Pati in the Santo Malo provincial election last week. All media have carried it in various forms since last evening's broadcast from Studio 5 North (back on the air again). The rapidly rising young and youth-oriented party won 5 seats - 2 on Malo and 3 on Santo - in the 18-seat new Council. The VP won 3 as did UMP. RMC won 2 seats. Each of the following parties won a single seat: VRP, ULF, IG, Hope and Presidential System. Nagriamel won none. The result represents a major coup for the Sanma United Front for Change, giving the grouping a simple majority in the Council. This is the grouping of GJP, VP, RMC and Hope which was attempting - and still is - to achieve the political (public and presidential) pre-requisite for progress - unity. Lots of parties with only one seat will quickly be forgotten. In the Conspiracy Case concerning the purported pardons of Pipite, Acting President at the time, Jane Joshua in Daily Post offers a lucid and thorough account of what is at stake. Senior Magistrate Moses Peter heard Public Prosecutor (PP) Josiah Naigulevu detail the meetings held by the convicted in the Bribery Case, albeit before their sentencing, concerning pardons for all, including the Acting President himself, before the President's return from overseas. These amounted to conspiracy to defeat the course of justice through the MPs' meetings at the Ministry of Public Works and Mangoes restaurant. Lawyer-client privileges will be under Court scrutiny, Jane Joshua summed up, should Senior Magistrate Moses Peter authorize the matter to proceed to the Supreme Court. Lawyer John Less Napuati was particularly concerned with lawyer-client privilege and the confidentiality of some of the documents provided to the Public Prosecutor from lawyers now claiming immunity. Lawyers Robin Kapapa, Gregory Takau and Eric Molbaleh are granted immunity and are assisting the PP in his inquiries. Again apologies for the mistake in the last line relating to this story in yesterday's Digest, albeit corrected 15 minutes later. I am hoping this afternoon I will have completed the other stories, some now long overdue, which I feel this Digest service should bring to readers' attention. Watch for a second edition. bobmakin | December 23, 2015 at 11:36 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-FH Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1RETqeB Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Correction

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Editor's mistake entirely ... Of course it is the Senior Magistrate who will decide whether the Pardon goes to the Supreme Court. The Public Prosecutor does not hand down judgements. Apologies to all." Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Correction by bobmakin Editor's mistake entirely ... Of course it is the Senior Magistrate who will decide whether the Pardon goes to the Supreme Court. The Public Prosecutor does not hand down judgements. Apologies to all. bobmakin | December 22, 2015 at 5:05 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-FG Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1m5XbgA Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 22 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Agendas, appointments and meetings get a bit muddled at this time of year, and whilst I don't wish to say it, rain doesn't help. But rain still remains the best news we've had for a long time. Still, apologies for the delay, and I will try to cover the bi" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 22 December 2015 by bobmakin Agendas, appointments and meetings get a bit muddled at this time of year, and whilst I don't wish to say it, rain doesn't help. But rain still remains the best news we've had for a long time. Still, apologies for the delay, and I will try to cover the biggest news of two days in one Digest. The rest will be in bits as time goes on. You will get more about the Conspiracy Case (the purported pardons by Pipite) tomorrow from Daily Post. For now I will simply say that journalists were allowed in this morning, even though the Magistrates' Court barely allowed seating for those involved in the earlier bribery matter. The inmates remained under the supervision of staff of Correctional Services. The Public Prosecutor was thorough and clear in his reporting to the Senior Magistrate. His prima facie evidence of 42 witness statements, 3 exhibits and miscellaneous documentation would enable the prosecution case to proceed. Despite the huge amount of evidence which concerns the so-called pardons, only four persons are now being charged. Others who were previously said to be charged were lawyers who had been consulted by the accused, but who were now assisting the Public Prosecutor. The Public Prosecutor will hand down judgement on 8 January. In the meantime, the Public Prosecutor is still concerned with matters related to conspiracy in the Bribery Case, something which is still to be heard. And former Parliamentarians suggest conspiracy where the payment of severance to convicted MPs is concerned. Government has not explained why it wrongly paid out sums of money as severance to convicted MPs no longer entitled to any of the privileges of that post. The Public Prosecutor will need to consider whether the Government itself, or officials alone, as individuals or in conspiracy, were in breach of their fiduciary duty to the State. More news tomorrow. bobmakin | December 22, 2015 at 4:46 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-FF Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1NIELJt Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[Buah Pandan Merah (Tawy)] New comment on Kayanya Manfaat Buah Merah Papua Bagi Kesehatan.

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[Buah Pandan Merah (Tawy)] New comment on Red Pandanus Oil Processing and Lake Water Skiing,....

Gudeg Lalas has left a new comment on your post "Red Pandanus Oil Processing and Lake Water Skiing,...": Banteng88 | Agen Bola | Agen Judi | Agen Sbobet Agen Bola Agen Judi Online Agen SBOBET Agen IBCBET Agen CASINO Poker Online Agen Judi Terpercaya Prediksi Bola Bandar Judi Bandar Bola Judi Online Bola Online Posted by Gudeg Lalas to Buah Pandan Merah (Tawy) at 20 December 2015 at 01:21

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[Buah Pandan Merah (Tawy)] New comment on Sentani lake skiing, Jayapura, Papua.

Gudeg Lalas has left a new comment on your post "Sentani lake skiing, Jayapura, Papua": Banteng88 | Agen Bola | Agen Judi | Agen Sbobet Agen Bola Agen Judi Online Agen SBOBET Agen IBCBET Agen CASINO Poker Online Agen Judi Terpercaya Prediksi Bola Bandar Judi Bandar Bola Judi Online Bola Online Posted by Gudeg Lalas to Buah Pandan Merah (Tawy) at 20 December 2015 at 01:20

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 19 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Transparency International Vanuatu - TIV - has praised the position taken by the Supreme Court concerning the dissolution of Parliament. It made its position clear on VBTC and in Daily Post. It supports the decision taken by Justice Aru in line with the P" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 19 December 2015 by bobmakin Transparency International Vanuatu - TIV - has praised the position taken by the Supreme Court concerning the dissolution of Parliament. It made its position clear on VBTC and in Daily Post. It supports the decision taken by Justice Aru in line with the President's decision for a snap election.Transparency's Dr Willie Tokon says he sees the matter, as does President Baldwin Lonsdale, as a last resort in order to put back and safeguard the integrity of the nation. Dr Tokon urged voters to carefully monitor the election campaign and added that what has happened recently will assist electors in choosing a suitable candidate. There is more in Daily Post today on the Opposition grouping accepting the Court's decision. Essentially this is in view of time being of the essence, the snap election date so soon. Joe Natuman said that the former Opposition will, however, seek a a judicial review of the decision after the election. He pointed out differences between their present case which had just failed and the two precedent cases used against the Opposition grouping - the dissolutions by Jean-Marie Leye and Roger Abiut. This time, said Natuman, the matter arose in connection with the conviction of 15 MPs. The Chamber of Commerce has defended its new leave proposals following comments made against the employer association by Ephraim Kalsakau of VWU, the Vanuatu Workers Union. The Chamber has criticised Kalsakau for his failure to attend meetings of the Tripartite Labour Advisory Council whilst the ILO was assisting in drafting an Act of Parliament to replace the Employment Act. The Union has now decided to engage in further discussions over employee entitlements. (Daily Post) Police have made arrests over an incident which saw houses, a church and a store burned down on eastern Pentecost. It resulted from a dispute over the rights to harvest beche de mer. (Radio Vanuatu) bobmakin | December 19, 2015 at 10:42 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-FE Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1T74WwT Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 18 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "4.30 pm today is the closing time for candidacy for the snap national election on 22 January. Daily Post reports 133 candidate application forms given out and reminds intending candidates of the VT 100,000 fee and that any outstanding remittances to gover" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 18 December 2015 by bobmakin 4.30 pm today is the closing time for candidacy for the snap national election on 22 January. Daily Post reports 133 candidate application forms given out and reminds intending candidates of the VT 100,000 fee and that any outstanding remittances to government must also be paid by 4.30 today. Electoral notices have been coming out with super efficiency at all message times on Radio Vanuatu: an essential task of the national broadcaster. It becomes so much more important for a snap election. Different rules apply. The rolls will not be open to anyone who had not already registered and those whose cards were filled need quickly obtain a new one. This certainly applies to Port Vila red card voters who have not missed a poll. The ATR of Air Vanuatu is presently un-airworthy and needing a new engine from Germany to arrive Monday. It was damaged by what is said to be a "foreign object'" and is on the ground at Santo. Some three days will be needed for the engine replacement and flight testing. The turnout for the Sanma provincial election is reported as good, but preliminary voting figures have not yet been published. A letter in Daily Post today indicates that following the statements of the Erakor leaders Sual Kalmary and Timteo Kalmet in Post and on TBV recently, the paramount chief of Erakor is now Chief Kalsaur Kalomtak Bomal VIII. bobmakin | December 18, 2015 at 10:03 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-FD Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1RV80Ov Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Marc Neil Jones retires

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The Vanuatu media industry farewelled long time media practitioner Marc Neil Jones at a Christmas luncheon party at Harbour View restaurant today. Marc started Daily Post newspaper with partner Gene Wong as a pioneer in the field of independent reporting " Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Marc Neil Jones retires by bobmakin The Vanuatu media industry farewelled long time media practitioner Marc Neil Jones at a Christmas luncheon party at Harbour View restaurant today. Marc started Daily Post newspaper with partner Gene Wong as a pioneer in the field of independent reporting here, after other related ventures when he came to the country 26 years ago. It is more than likely aspects of his career and tributes paid will appear soon in Daily Post. The Digest wishes him a happy and healthful retirement. bobmakin | December 17, 2015 at 3:50 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-FC Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1OxnP8D Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 17 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The big news today is still the "lawful" verdict of the Supreme Court concerning the dissolution of Parliament. Daily Post gives excellent coverage today, and former PM Joe Natuman has been heard and seen on VBTC radio and television commenting " Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 17 December 2015 by bobmakin The big news today is still the "lawful" verdict of the Supreme Court concerning the dissolution of Parliament. Daily Post gives excellent coverage today, and former PM Joe Natuman has been heard and seen on VBTC radio and television commenting on the judgement and accepting it, although not ruling out any appeal by the lawyers for the former Opposition side. Natuman pointed out that his side still had the majority and will be going to the polls with confidence. For those who wish to read Justice Aru's decision in full, it is already available on www.paclii.org. At that site just bring up Vanuatu and Supreme Court decisions of 2015 on which it is Vanuaroroa v President of the Republic of Vanuatu [2015] VUSC 175. Santo/Malo people are going to the polls today for the Sanma provincial elections. In other news items not previously covered, Vila Times this week has former MPs from both sides lodging complaints against the actions of those on the other side. The Government has not paid back the money which the imprisoned MPs were granted by former MP Moana Carcasses, Radio Vanuatu News pointed out earlier this week. This was confirmed to VBTC News by a senior officer in the Finance Department. The government spokesman said government is not responsible for ensuring this. Daily Post yesterday drew attention to two of the lawyers in the conspiracy case being granted immunity from prosecution. This is the case involving former Speaker Pipite attempting to pardon 15 politicians in the Bribery Case. The 2 lawyers are helping the Public Prosecutor in his case which will be heard next Tuesday. The lawyers are Robin Kapapa and Gregory Takau. Yesterday's issue of the same paper also reported the Vanuatu Republican Party endorsing Kapapa as the interim President of VRP. Agriculture Minister Christopher Emelee has this week made the first payment for a plantation at Stonehill village behind Vanafo. The 1,050 hectares are to become the farm land of the Vanuatu Agricultural College. Minister Emelee implored the CEO of the College to make sure the plantation did not become like the disastrous White Bullock project on South Efate. The Acting Police Commissioner was convicted in the Magistrates' Court yesterday of involvement in a traffic accident. He was charged with both careless and reckless driving. Sentencing will take place on January 15. The Digest wishes to apologize to the family of the dead man found floating in Vila Harbour for the flippant manner with which his death was reported. That he and the circumstances of his death were unknown do not license this news service to treat his death with negligible respect. bobmakin | December 17, 2015 at 10:30 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-FB Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1MhSHbm Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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Google Alert - Melanesia

Melanesia Weekly update ⋅ December 16, 2015 NEWS The inner circle: A larger Australia requires a strong Melanesia The Interpreter This is the sixth in a series of posts marking the launch of A Larger Australia, the book of the 2015 Boyer Lectures, by Lowy Institute Executive Director ... Flag as irrelevant Radio Australia Tripla Melabesian kantri igat Balus wokbung Radio Australia Ol balus kampani blong tripla kantri blong Melanesia, olsem Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands na Vanuatu i sainim pinis wanpla tok oraet blong ... Flag as irrelevant See more results | Edit this alert You have received this email because you have subscribed to Google Alerts. Unsubscribe | View all your alerts Receive this alert as RSS feed Send Feedback

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Parliament legally and properly dismissed

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The Constitutional application of the former Opposition parties has been dismissed in the Supreme Court this morning. Justice Dudley Aru found that the Council of Ministers had been lawfully constituted on 15 October and its advice to the Head of State pr" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Parliament legally and properly dismissed by bobmakin The Constitutional application of the former Opposition parties has been dismissed in the Supreme Court this morning. Justice Dudley Aru found that the Council of Ministers had been lawfully constituted on 15 October and its advice to the Head of State properly delivered on 16 October The President lawfully exercised his discretion on the advice received. Parliament was, indeed, lawfully dissolved by the Head of State on the advice of the Council of Ministers. Costs are to be paid by the Applicants. Judge Aru urged counsels for the Appellants, if appealing, to exercise their rights within the next 48 hours. Outside the Dumbea courthouse, after the hour-long delivery of the detailed judgement, as an Opposition spokesman, former PM Joe Natuman thanked the Court and counsels and said the judgement is accepted. Parties of Opposition might challenge, but they are confident of their majority and expecting to win on 22 January. He will be seen in an address on TBV in the evening news. All mainstream media were present. bobmakin | December 16, 2015 at 11:12 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-FA Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1YiQMtZ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 15 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "No earth shattering headlines today ... From VBTC ... Over twenty-five thousand voters will be eligible to go to the polls in Sanma on Thursday for their provincial council elections. There are 92 candidates, one a woman. The Port Vila Public Library i" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 15 December 2015 by bobmakin No earth shattering headlines today ... From VBTC ... Over twenty-five thousand voters will be eligible to go to the polls in Sanma on Thursday for their provincial council elections. There are 92 candidates, one a woman. The Port Vila Public Library is planning a special treat for children from tomorrow until 22 December. Activities will include face painting and creative writing. There will be themes for each day. Christmas in the Park is being readied for a 6 o'clock opening today, launched by Prime Minister Kilman. There will be carol singing and the event will close at 10.30 in Saralana Park. And Daily Post ... Nagriamel is warning against un-authorised use of the custom movement's logo in the gearing up to the national elections. Erakor is getting a step closer to deciding upon a paramount chief. The death of former Assistant British Resident Commissioner Mike Townsend, at 95, in England, is noted. "Nothing was too much trouble for this down to earth, modest, self-effacing man," one obituarist has said. Townsend was also a hero of World War 2. And Luganville, too, is having a Christmas in the Park with the VMF Band: 18 - 20 December. At Unity Park. bobmakin | December 15, 2015 at 12:32 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fz Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1m2MJpr Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 14 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The only really interesting and stimulating news of today is RAIN: and it's going to continue. Radio Vanuatu News had a body being found in the Port Vila harbour, unidentified, and one could imagine it belongs to someone rather over-indulgent. Daily Pos" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 14 December 2015 by bobmakin The only really interesting and stimulating news of today is RAIN: and it's going to continue. Radio Vanuatu News had a body being found in the Port Vila harbour, unidentified, and one could imagine it belongs to someone rather over-indulgent. Daily Post today has the principal Airports Vanuatu chairmen of recent years engaged in a slanging match as to who really is Chairman. "Lew is not AVL Chairman," says Maltock. Lew answers back. The Port Vila Urban Infrastructure Development Project - PVUDP will make a big improvement in community health and hygiene efforts in suburbs around the capital. Sanitation committees of Ohlen Nabanga, Tokyo, Buninga, Seaside Futuna, Blacksands, Tongariki and Mele will meet with the PVUDP officers soon. These groups have already made certain achievements in reducing certain illnesses and are now likely to receive equipment for public installation on which they have been trained. World Vision Vanuatu, the Solid Waste Management Group and Wan Smol Bag have hugely assisted, Radio Vanuatu News reports. At the weekend Daily Post explained that the codeshare arrangement enjoyed by Air Vanuatu with Qantas and Air New Zealand remains in doubt whilst the local company restores its IATA membership. This involves restructuring. Sixteen schools in the north are being taken over by the Anglican Diocese of Vanuatu, Post reported Saturday, in line with the agreement several churches have with the government. The same paper also reports the Southern Province of New Caledonia extending VT 25 million to the reconstruction works at Montmartre. Rotary and other friends in New Caledonia gave considerable assistance. Weekend Daily Post also had the Caretaker Public Works Minister Don Ken promising tar sealing of the road from Norsup to Vao. This was one of 6 projects launched by the caretaker minister who was told by locals they were tired of unfulfilled promises. Kampen toktok nomo? Today's Daily Post has Caretaker Minister Don Ken promising Northeastern Malekula villages safe drinking water at a turn of the tap. bobmakin | December 14, 2015 at 3:03 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fy Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1Y8O67A Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 12 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Malvatumauri President Chief Seni Mau Tirsupe has said the correct processes must be followed in arranging demolition of the cyclone shredded chiefs' nakamal. There are certain customary steps to be followed. His membership had been greatly assisting. But" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 12 December 2015 by bobmakin Malvatumauri President Chief Seni Mau Tirsupe has said the correct processes must be followed in arranging demolition of the cyclone shredded chiefs' nakamal. There are certain customary steps to be followed. His membership had been greatly assisting. But, he says, reconstruction is now required to be arranged through the Tender Board. This means it is unlikely the nakamal will open by 5 March, National Chiefs' Day. Chief Seni Mau Tirsupe regrets the delays. Radio Vanuatu's Christmas in the Park begins at Saralana at 6 o'clock on Tuesday after a parade involving vehicles and individuals. A keynote address will be given by PM Kilman. The Mayor of Port Vila will be one of the hosts at the occasion. The holiday season also sees the various political parties vying for the attention of readers of the papers with their announcements of how many candidates they will have contesting the national election on January 22. Ship owners, freight forwarders and others concerned with the freight and transport industry and wharfage yesterday held a meeting under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce (VCCI) to discuss a variety of issues confronting the industry. Not much indication of the issues was given. And that's about all which can be arranged for the Digest just now. But, gud wiken! bobmakin | December 12, 2015 at 5:16 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fx Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1lCHPzX Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 11 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The Constitutional (Dissolution) case verdict will be delivered on December 16, next Wednesday.This date holds, said Justice Aru, even though the former Opposition, which had brought the case, had wanted Parliament to sit from next Monday, December 14, as" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 11 December 2015 by bobmakin The Constitutional (Dissolution) case verdict will be delivered on December 16, next Wednesday.This date holds, said Justice Aru, even though the former Opposition, which had brought the case, had wanted Parliament to sit from next Monday, December 14, as previously proposed by the Acting Speaker as a date for the Second Ordinary sitting. All submissions were presented yesterday in the Supreme Court's Dumbea hothouse. Ronald Warsal, representing the Opposition side, argued that 5 weeks and 3 days for the Head of State to decide on dissolution was "too long" a time to wait following the Council of Ministers' decision and at a time when the Prime Minister was running a minority government. Daily Post's Jane Joshua carries an excellent report of yesterday's court hearing, today. President Lonsdale's counsel, Ishmael Kalsakau, argued that in two similar past cases the President's use of the dissolution was at his "unfettered discretion." Daily Post today also has Air Vanuatu announcing a major restructuring which it is hoped will lead to its re-certification on the IATA operational safety audit register. Some staff redundancy is expected with the project to restructure. 150 exam marking teachers are furious that their contracts are not being properly honoured. There is it seems, presently, no budget to pay for their services which have been ongoing since June. These are services for their work in creating exam papers since June and then marking them. They have been told they will be paid next year. Malvatumauri President , Chief Seni Mao Tirsupe, says it is not yet the right time to organise the reconciliation the visiting chiefs from the north had sought. Daily Post reports this was in connection with the imprisonment of the 14 MPs recently. He appealed for peace and calm until the political situation returns to normalcy. Many chiefs and people would hope, too, that Chief Seni Mau Tirsupe might soon be returned to his position of presidency of the Vanuatu Cultural Council, a post in which, as required by his Malvatumauri title, he was performing highly commendably until put aside by one of the now imprisoned ministers. Custom and culture should also be returned to normalcy the public feels. (Digest Editor's observation and comment) bobmakin | December 11, 2015 at 12:26 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fw Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1lz4InQ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 10 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The Supreme Court is sitting this afternoon to hear the Constitutional Case No. 822 which deals with the validity of the Dissolution of Parliament, now acase. The Court did not sit at 9 am as intended in order to allow all lawyers to have more time to fil" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 10 December 2015 by bobmakin The Supreme Court is sitting this afternoon to hear the Constitutional Case No. 822 which deals with the validity of the Dissolution of Parliament, now acase. The Court did not sit at 9 am as intended in order to allow all lawyers to have more time to file their responses. Former Opposition MPs and Kenneth Natapei are basing their case on article 43 of the Constitution, says Radio Vanuatu. This section deals with the collective responsibility of ministers relating to any dissolution. Daily Post today points out that young people who have reached voting age and have not been registered yet on the electoral roll will not be able to vote at the planned post Dissolution election on 22 January. Radio Vanuatu starts off today with an announcement of the Luganville Municipality Electoral Disputes Committee saying that the election of three candidates in the Luganville town election is null and void. They were elected in the Sarakata, West and Central wards. They have been given time to appeal. The former Minister of Finance, Willie Jimmy Tapangararua, has told Radio Australia he will appeal the decision of his conviction under the Leadership Code Act. He bases his appeal on the belief that one cannot be tried twice for the same crime. He added that the 14 other MPs convicted and imprisoned would also be appealing. Daily Post reports Luganville businessman Ruiqi Yao has pleaded guilty to 11 charges over contraband cigarettes. He is expected to appear in the Supreme Court for judgement on Friday. 294 cartons of cigarettes were imported in galvanised pipes which had been sealed. Recently appointed Caretaker Public Works Minister Don Ken has wasted no time in terminating two staff over alleged misconduct. (Daily Post) Daily Post reports former senior geologist in Vanuatu, Sandy Macfarlane, has been alarmed to see a BBC reporter using shots of part of Takara's almost non-existent beach to suggest people there "are being driven from their homes by rising sea level." In fact Takara and Undine Bay have been rising at around a millimetre a year for the past 0.6 million years. The BBC reporter was likely using his "evidence" in relation to Climate Change and COP 21. But Takara has been rising for a lot longer than anthropogenic climate change has been going on. Vanuatu is on the rising edge of the Pacific Plate as the Australian Plate is submerged thereunder, says Macfarlane. Quite a distinction. We are thus not only being given a leg-up by Australian Aid, but also by the Australian Plate. bobmakin | December 10, 2015 at 2:17 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fv Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1HVOPlb Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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Google Alert - Melanesia

Melanesia Weekly update ⋅ December 9, 2015 NEWS dailytelegraph.com.au Unspoilt paradise in the islands of Melanesia dailytelegraph.com.au The Solomon Islands has some of the best diving in the world. Picture: Kirkland Images. MY ADVENTURE began in Honiara, a ramshackle port town ... Flag as irrelevant TravelPulse The Solomon Islands Puts Itself on the Tourist Map TravelPulse The Western South Pacific, also known as Melanesia, is on the tourist map for Australians and for tropical-island aficionados across the globe. Flag as irrelevant More interest from athletes Fiji Times THE Melanesian Athletics Championship has been getting interest from outside the Melanesia region and organisers are hoping to accommodate all. Flag as irrelevant See more results | Edit this alert You have received this email because you have subscribed to Google Alerts. Unsubscribe | View all your alerts Receive this alert as RSS feed Send Feedback

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 9 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Mark the January national election date as January 22. The Electoral Commission and Caretaker Prime Minister have agreed on the date, Daily Post announces on page 1 today. Interested candidates have begun flocking to the Electoral Office already to collec" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 9 December 2015 by bobmakin Mark the January national election date as January 22. The Electoral Commission and Caretaker Prime Minister have agreed on the date, Daily Post announces on page 1 today. Interested candidates have begun flocking to the Electoral Office already to collect forms and information. There can be no new registration of voters, but Radio Vanuatu is giving announcements as to the period and means of new card issuance to already registered voters who have lost or filled their cards and need renewal. As of today the election is on 22 January. The Caretaker Opposition challenges the dissolution in court tomorrow, so maybe only mark the election date in pencil. Post's big story on 5 December was the VT 230 million payout to ex-MPs in view of the dissolution: their gratuities. The 14 imprisoned MPs also receive part of this amount. Today Post reports the Government lack of VT 390 million to retire public servants. Those informing the Daily Post confirmed that 55 is the retiring age for civil servants but many senior staff were being kept on owing to experience and professional qualifications. The sources agreed that politicians were often behind the push to have certain civil servants removed based on a personal vendetta. However, PSC Chairman John Morrison Willie has stated he would not be pushed to terminate officers without a valid, legal reason. The tax payer might wonder how the Caretaker Council of Ministers could agree to the MP payouts at this time before checking on availability of funds. Another political issue was raised in this morning's Radio Vanuatu News, the Prime Minister declaring that the appointment of Samson Samsen to a ministerial post was valid because Samsen's and the 2 other ministerial appointments took place on the morning before the afternoon dissolution of Parliament. Samsen's transfer had been discussed with him whilst he was still Deputy Speaker. The SLO had agreed. 113 trainee teachers graduated at VITE, the Vanuatu Institute of Teachers Education yesterday. Education Director Roy Obed warmly congratulated the graduates. "You owe the day to your parents. They were the ones who paved the way and allowed you to be here today," said Obed. He could not promise immediate placements for all, but hoped that one day they would be on the government's payroll. Lily Wilson is the graduate whose academic achievement was described as the most outstanding. She reminded the graduates to become agents for change. (Radio Vanuatu and Daily Post) Daily Post has the unions dis-agreeing with the Chamber of Commerce published proposals for leave. The Tripartite Labour Advisory Council, says VCTU Secretary General Ephraim Kalsakau, rejected the same proposals on several occasions previously. Daily Post reports the passing away of former Vureas High School well respected and much loved principal Fred Tari, 61, on Saturday night at Vila Central Hospital. His body was flown to Ambae for burial at Lolovenue after stopping at Vureas for former colleagues and students to pay their last respects. bobmakin | December 9, 2015 at 3:24 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fu Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1IDJcrT Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 8 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The news is very much "in brief" today, for various reasons, and may continue thus this week ... Radio Vanuatu has ... The Prime Minister's Office says the International Anti-Corruption Day is being moved to next year. This was due to be marke" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 8 December 2015 by bobmakin The news is very much "in brief" today, for various reasons, and may continue thus this week ... Radio Vanuatu has ... The Prime Minister's Office says the International Anti-Corruption Day is being moved to next year. This was due to be marked tomorrow. The delay is said to be because of late funding arrival. The Supreme Court sits Thursday to decide on whether the Dissolution of Parliament was correctly done, as already reported in the Digest.. As regards the Bribery Case, Willie Jimmy indicated he would vacate the finance minister position as soon as he received the printed judgement. This follows the Supreme Court enforcing the Leadership Code Act in the matter of those convicted of bribery, and Jimmy. Daily Post today ... covers the 10-year ban on holding public office for the 15 leaders guilty on the government side when the Supreme Court invoked the Leadership Code Act. There are excellent portrait photos of all 15. Former Opposition MPs are questioning the legality of the appointments of three new ministers. They claim Samson Samsen (Youth Development) and Havo Moli (Foreign Affairs) swore and signed their oaths after Parliament had been declared dissolved. Government comment was not available. New Public Works Minister Don Ken was depicted being welcomed by the PM with a cordial handshake. Another report has the Minister and a delegation attending a public meeting at Worlep village and being strongly told by the Acting President of the Provincial Council that Malekula has witnessed many project launchings which never get realized. The delegation was there for the launching of another rural water supply project. bobmakin | December 8, 2015 at 4:37 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Ft Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1OfbTYZ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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Dino Lood added you on Google+

Follow and share with Dino by adding him to a circle. Don't know this person? You don't have to add them back (they'll only see what's shared with them). Learn more. Add to circles Unsubscribe from these emails.View Dino's profile or block Dino completely.Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043 USA

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Finance Minister terminated by Court

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Radio Vanuatu lunchtime news today reported the Supreme Court having sat this morning and, under the Leadership Code Act, hearing the application of the Public Prosecutor against 15 MPs who have already been sentenced according to the Criminal Code. Jus" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Finance Minister terminated by Court by bobmakin Radio Vanuatu lunchtime news today reported the Supreme Court having sat this morning and, under the Leadership Code Act, hearing the application of the Public Prosecutor against 15 MPs who have already been sentenced according to the Criminal Code. Justice Chetwynd granted all the orders seeking to enforce Sections 40, 41 and 42 of the Leadership Code Act. The 15 MPs [14 already in Correctional Services] are forced out of offices they have held and lost their titles. This includes [the now former] Finance Minister Willie Jimmy Tapangararua. They are not to hold any public office covered by the Leadership Code Act, including Member of Parliament, for the next 10 years. The written judgment is expected this afternoon. bobmakin | December 7, 2015 at 12:58 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fs Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1R3ZsFl Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 5 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Yesterday afternoon a Supreme Court conference on the dissolution of Parliament decided that the Dissolution Case will be heard on Thursday 10 December. The former Attorney General, Ishmael Kalsakau, will represent the Head of State. The case has been bro" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 5 December 2015 by bobmakin Yesterday afternoon a Supreme Court conference on the dissolution of Parliament decided that the Dissolution Case will be heard on Thursday 10 December. The former Attorney General, Ishmael Kalsakau, will represent the Head of State. The case has been brought by the former Opposition MPs and the elected MP for Port Vila, Kenneth Natapei, who are represented by Ronald Warsal and Edward Nalyal. Daily Post today has Caretaker Ministers Don Ken (PWD) and Willie Jimmy (Finance) at loggerheads as to whose nominee is chairman of the board of Airports Vanuatu Limited. Alain Lew has called into question Minister Don Ken's efforts in the dismissal of the Board of AVL. The dispute seems to hinge on who might be considered the VCCI representative on the Board. Havo Moli has been sworn in as Foreign Minister (Post yesterday) Post's big story today is the VT 230 million payout to ex-MPs in view of the dissolution: their gratuities. The 14 imprisoned MPs also receive this amount. The taxpayer might well question whether they (the 14) are entitled to this amount, and whether they have paid back their million vatu proceeds of the bribe to the legal owner of that money. All ex-MPs were paid the gratuity amount this week. One wonders what will happen if the dissolution is found to be illegal. Bribery is again costing the state dearly as these severance payments cannot have been included in this year's budget. What has had to go to enable severance? Planet 107 nightclub of Saby Natonga and Arthur Knight is to close forthwith, the duo being ordered to pay huge outstanding arrears to leaseholder Lesley Mechtler. It is the culmination of a long-running dispute. Planet 107 must cease by December 24. (Daily Post) Erakor Half Road is enjoying a proper water supply system after a long time without anything like it. (Post) And Peter Pan School is celebrating 25 years. (Post again) bobmakin | December 5, 2015 at 11:54 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fr Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1O8D7Ap Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 4 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The Bribery Case is running yet as now the Leadership Code is being invoked. Daily Post's Thompson Marango carries the story today of the Public Prosecutor appealing that a trial under the Leadership Code Act is still appropriate. Justice Fatiaki's decisi" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 4 December 2015 by bobmakin The Bribery Case is running yet as now the Leadership Code is being invoked. Daily Post's Thompson Marango carries the story today of the Public Prosecutor appealing that a trial under the Leadership Code Act is still appropriate. Justice Fatiaki's decision concerning the application of the Leadership Code was considered as non-binding on Justice Sey. More news of this matter will follow in the next bulletin, along with news of the Constitutional application concerning the provisions relating to Dissolution being heard this afternoon. It is thought that the Dissolution will mean some like 2,000 potential new and eligible young voters not being able to vote in Port Vila, as there will not be time for the registration process to take place. Principal Electoral Officer Fr Charles Vatu pointed out to listeners of Radio Vanuatu today that no new cards could be issued: only replacement cards on application. bobmakin | December 4, 2015 at 1:47 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fq Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1NKzM0a Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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Gitarrenunterricht in Berlin - Werner Kuschmierz and 2 others added you on Google+

Add people to your circles to follow and share with them. Don't know some of these people? You don't have to add them back (they'll only see what's shared with them). Learn more. Add to circles Gitarrenunterricht in Berlin - Werner Kuschmierz, Komposition | Sounddesign | Kuschmierz, and Werner Kuschmierz. Unsubscribe from these emails.Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043 USA

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest |3 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Those concerned with the Constitutional case number 822 involving elected MP Kenneth Natapei are presently meeting in chambers in the Supreme Court. The matter is still in conference. Radio Vanuatu News at lunchtime corrected the morning information conc" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest |3 December 2015 by bobmakin Those concerned with the Constitutional case number 822 involving elected MP Kenneth Natapei are presently meeting in chambers in the Supreme Court. The matter is still in conference. Radio Vanuatu News at lunchtime corrected the morning information concerning an international gift to help Vanuatu recover after cyclone Pam. Russian aid amounting to USD 500,000 has been arranged at the United Nations in New York by our Ambassador, Odo Tevi, and the Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia, at the UN, whose name was given. Ambassador Tevi was reported saying much was still needed to return the economy to a good level and re-build the infrastructure of the country. The now corrected sum allocated will be of considerable assistance. Caretaker Deputy PM Christophe Emelee has drawn eloquent attention to the vulnerability of Vanuatu to climate change at the Paris COP 21. He concentrated on the El Nino effect as well as cyclone Pam. He spoke of the "anxieties of the people of Vanuatu as they struggle to find drinking water and watch their crops wilt and die." He observed that "scientists have made a strong case that climate change is real and is being caused by human activity. Economists tell us that destitution will ensue with continued fossil fuel subsidies and further investment in carbon-intensive industries.... Why can't we the world's leaders move together now to stop this nonsense which does no-one on this planet any lasting good?... Our criticisms and delays are excuses for inaction which undermines our human ingenuity and capacity to develop genuine solutions." (Daily Post) Radio Vanuatu has the caretaker Minister for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Don Ken, launching community based contracting on Malekula tomorrow. The Government is now ready to carry out the renovation to the Norsup airport runway and permanently strengthen some main roads on the island. He became very critical of the PWD team on the island, in the news bulletin, insisting they "pull up their socks." He threatened he will take action against those PWD workers who do not pay attention to his warnings. A campaign to save the dugong will be launched this evening at Chantilly's at 5.30. It is part of an international effort. It has been mentioned in all reliable news bulletins. Efate has generally scored well in environmental studies as regards the sea cow. bobmakin | December 3, 2015 at 2:53 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fp Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1LPQALB Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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Google Alert - Melanesia

Melanesia Weekly update ⋅ December 2, 2015 WEB The Sexual Life of Savages: In North-Western Melanesia - Bronislaw Malinowski exlibris.ch The Sexual Life of Savages: In North-Western Melanesia de Bronislaw Malinowski - English books - commander la livre de la catégorie Ethnologie ... Flag as irrelevant See more results | Edit this alert You have received this email because you have subscribed to Google Alerts. Unsubscribe | View all your alerts Receive this alert as RSS feed Send Feedback

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 2 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Repeating last evening's correction: The correct figure for the snap election cost is VT 87 million as given by Daily Post, not as the Digest reported yesterday (VT 187 million). Apologies to the Electoral Office, Post and the readers taking the trouble " Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 2 December 2015 by bobmakin Repeating last evening's correction: The correct figure for the snap election cost is VT 87 million as given by Daily Post, not as the Digest reported yesterday (VT 187 million). Apologies to the Electoral Office, Post and the readers taking the trouble to point it out. Today Daily Post leads with the Opposition block filing their urgent Constitutional case. There are 24 applicants who are members of the Opposition block together with Kenneth Natapei, recent winner of the Port Vila by-election. The respondents are the Head of State, President Baldwin Lonsdale, together with the Republic of Vanuatu. Five remedies are sought. These begin with the case seeking to have the Presidential declaration of the dissolution of Parliament declared null and void. Parliament should meet as summoned by the Acting Speaker, the Opposition claims. The constitutional rights of the applicants as MPs are said to be infringed with the dissolution; likewise those of Kenneth Natapei, recently elected. The applicants' lawyers are Ronald Warsal and Edward Nalial. The applicants hope the matter can be heard this week. Daily Post today carries an interview with Dominic Meiklejohn, the outgoing British High Commissioner based in Honiara, who applauds Vanuatu for successfully tackling corruption, specifically referring to the imprisonment of the 14 MPs involved in the bribery case. Meiklejohn said that the British Prime Minister David Cameron is planning to host an international conference on anti-corruption. "We are aware of, and applaud, what Vanuatu itself, through its judicial system, has been able to do in terms of tackling corruption in recent months." Meiklejohn also understood that Vanuatu will not be able to host the 2017 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which will take place in London, but felt that the first woman Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, who comes from the Caribbean, would give "a much stronger focus to Small Island States." The High Commissioner designate, Chris Trott, is being introduced to the Government on the same travel as the High Commissioner. In a Letter to Daily Post today, Hilda Aru properly points out the difficulty Vanuatu would face in hosting the 2017 CHOGM meeting which our European Ambassador keeps touting as ideal for Vanuatu. Hilda Aru and the visiting British High Commissioner must also have seen for themselves the Convention Centre edifice which the conceit of certain of our ministers in days gone by saw them prefer, rather than a new court house for our applauded judiciary. The hubris of many of our politicians is further exemplified by the Government failure to do anything yet in support of the chiefs' nakamal post-Pam repairs. The tattered Malvatumauri looks down on both Parliament and the Convention Centre. The Morning Star flag was raised at the chiefs' nakamal in Port Vila yesterday after a parade of chiefs and church leaders, with young people carrying banners, from Saralana to the Malvatumauri. The only political leader attending was Ralph Regenvanu. bobmakin | December 2, 2015 at 11:50 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fo Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1lu10LD Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Correction: election cost

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The correct figure for the snap election cost is VT 87 million as given by Daily Post, not the Digest's VT 187 million in today's posting. Apologies to the Electoral Office, Post and those taking the trouble to point it out." Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Correction: election cost by bobmakin The correct figure for the snap election cost is VT 87 million as given by Daily Post, not the Digest's VT 187 million in today's posting. Apologies to the Electoral Office, Post and those taking the trouble to point it out. bobmakin | December 1, 2015 at 5:26 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fn Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1N0ISQw Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Dily News Digest | Dissolution case filed

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "A case concerning the dissolution of Parliament has been filed this afternoon. The Supreme Court is unable to say if or when a hearing may be arranged, but the case has, indeed, been filed. This Digest hopes to keep you informed in the matter. Have a goo" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Dily News Digest | Dissolution case filed by bobmakin A case concerning the dissolution of Parliament has been filed this afternoon. The Supreme Court is unable to say if or when a hearing may be arranged, but the case has, indeed, been filed. This Digest hopes to keep you informed in the matter. Have a good evening, morning or night wherever you are. bobmakin | December 1, 2015 at 4:53 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fm Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1IyiFqJ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 1 December 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Daily Post starts today with the news that a snap national election would cost VT 187 million. It also means that the Caretaker Council of Ministers will have to be approached for that sum as a matter of urgency, no budget for next year being approved yet" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 1 December 2015 by bobmakin Daily Post starts today with the news that a snap national election would cost VT 187 million. It also means that the Caretaker Council of Ministers will have to be approached for that sum as a matter of urgency, no budget for next year being approved yet because of the dissolution. Principal Electoral Officer Charles Vatu pointed out that the election would have to be held before 24 January. The Electoral Office has also told Radio Vanuatu News that the names of the candidates for the Sanma provincial election on 17 December will be announced on Friday this week. Santo and Malo people may well find they are going to the polls just before Christmas and shortly after New Year. The province provided more than its fair share of the MPs now in Correctional Services, too, so toktok politik will be doing the rounds in the northern town's nakamals throughout the festive season. And Santo's political gabfest will be proceeding as the national broadcaster has closed Studio 5 North. Radio Vanuatu must be intending to explain: the news is yet to be written. We have not yet been officially told. It is interesting to note, as does Daily Post today, that we are almost exactly 18 years after President Leye's dissolution of Parliament (29 November 1977), witnessing the same thing all over again. That was for a 20 January election. But that dissolution was proved null and void, by Justice Lunabek. The present dissolution is also likely to be in the courts. The Caretaker PM's angry accusations, covered in the Digest yesterday, against the Caretaker Opposition's Ralph Regenvanu, are strongly denied by Regenvanu himself in today's Daily Post. Regenvanu was accused of using 'back-door' methods to bypass procedures at the State House when in fact his officers were simply following the process required by the State Law Office. Kilman asserted his perceived need to guard the sovereignty of the President. But Ralph Regenvanu points out Kilman's complacency as regards the President's sovereignty during the pardoning fiasco. "I am happy to be judged by the people," Regenvanu says. "I am not happy to be falsely accused by the Caretaker Prime Minister." Radio Vanuatu News this morning added to the news that the Asian Development Bank and Australia are assisting with the Port Vila Urban Development Project to the extent of 3.35 billion vatu. This begins with roads and drainage, footpaths and street lighting on the town's main roads. Tenders are being requested during this month for work to begin in January. The work is expected to take 2 years. The commemoration of Port Vila Day on Unity Day confuses people, Pastor Alan Nafuki pointed out on Sunday at a ceremony conducted by the Port Vila Ministers' Fraternal. He reminded everyone that the day commemorated from November 1977 was one of a period of most dis-unity amongst the people of the New Hebrides, with rioting and the use of tear-gas. (Daily Post) The British Friends of Vanuatu has recently collected a huge sum of money to purchase books for primary schools greatly Pam-damaged in Shefa and Tafea. A handing-over ceremony took place yesterday attended by the British High Commissioner, Dominic Meiklejohn, on his final visit. The books are all covered in plastic which, it is hoped, will offer better protection than has been usual in previous cyclone seasons. (Daily Post) bobmakin | December 1, 2015 at 1:17 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fl Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1N0ooHF Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 30 November 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The caretaker Prime Minister has given Radio Vanuatu listeners his views regarding the caretaker Opposition trying to obtain copies of correspondence between the Council of Ministers and State House concerning the dissolution of Parliament which they (Opp" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 30 November 2015 by bobmakin The caretaker Prime Minister has given Radio Vanuatu listeners his views regarding the caretaker Opposition trying to obtain copies of correspondence between the Council of Ministers and State House concerning the dissolution of Parliament which they (Opposition) oppose. The Prime Minister said he had agreed that the Opposition had a right to the information decided upon by the CoM on the day in question (not specified). However, PM Kilman took exception to the Opposition's Regenvanu seeking further information in the matter directly from State House. Kilman made his anger at such an action quite clear in early morning and noon VBTC bulletins today. Daily Post has simply reported that the dissolution question is still a matter being challenged. It also has an interesting review item dealing with the 24 Prime Ministers we have had to have in the last 24 years, following the breakdown of the Walter Lini majority VP Government. Post also records the re-launched Vanuatu Cooperative Federation receiving its first shipment of cargo - one thousand bags of rice from Thailand. After three decades VCF is importing to supply 424 continuing cooperative societies. bobmakin | November 30, 2015 at 12:38 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fk Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1YCirIm Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 27 November 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "State Office has gone out of its way to respond to the rumours that the Head of State will pardon former MPs. It is the lead item in today's Daily Post. The matter of pardons for the 14 convicted has not even been considered by President Baldwin Lonsdale " Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 27 November 2015 by bobmakin State Office has gone out of its way to respond to the rumours that the Head of State will pardon former MPs. It is the lead item in today's Daily Post. The matter of pardons for the 14 convicted has not even been considered by President Baldwin Lonsdale and there is no committee formed by Parliament to consider such a matter. The Office of the President will ensure that it accords the respect to the judicial systems at all times and those convicted will serve their time in gaol unless proven by medical grounds or other viable reasons that would allow for pardoning from their sentences. Post also features John Malon Taleo being appointed Acting Police Commissioner, on page 1 today. Vake Rakau has been removed as Commissioner. Reasons have not been made clear. The Digest reported yesterday that a case had been filed with the Supreme Court concerning the Opposition allegations that the Council of Ministers (COM) had requested the President to dissolve Parliament a week before many ministers were convicted on the bribery charges. The matter was not filed yesterday. However, it is understood that efforts are being made to have it filed today. Dalsie Baniala has been appointed the first ni-Vanuatu ICT and Telecoms Regulator. She is the fourth such regulator and holds a much respected educational record and business background. (Daily Post) bobmakin | November 27, 2015 at 10:46 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fj Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1QK4C9k Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | CoM dissolution decided by the convicted

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The Opposition has evidence that the decision of the Council of Ministers to request the President to dissolve Parliament was made on 15 October in an urgent meeting. This was one week before most Government ministers were convicted of bribery and impriso" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | CoM dissolution decided by the convicted by bobmakin The Opposition has evidence that the decision of the Council of Ministers to request the President to dissolve Parliament was made on 15 October in an urgent meeting. This was one week before most Government ministers were convicted of bribery and imprisoned. The Opposition has filed its case with the Supreme Court. Read more about the matter in tomorrow's Daily Post. bobmakin | November 26, 2015 at 5:27 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fi Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1T6coZ0 Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 26 November 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The Opposition's challenge to both the Head of State and Council of Ministers in a clearly minority government, when both have decided for dissolution, will be tested in the courts - and sooner rather than later. This has meant the adjournment of Constitu" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 26 November 2015 by bobmakin The Opposition's challenge to both the Head of State and Council of Ministers in a clearly minority government, when both have decided for dissolution, will be tested in the courts - and sooner rather than later. This has meant the adjournment of Constitutional Case 691 of the Opposition to which the elected but not sworn MP Kenneth Natapei was a party. The Opposition is, however, determined that, as the President has said, the rule of law is for everyone and must be obeyed. The Digest will bring further information to its readers when it is made available. Caretaker Prime Minister Kilman, Radio Vanuatu reported this morning saying that now with Parliament dissolved there has to be a general election after 30 days and before 60 days. He was recorded yesterday before the Opposition's lawyers were heard in chambers at the Supreme Court. Nothing to do with the dissolution's complications, and even though it is claimed the Electoral Office already has funding for the national elections required for next year, the registration of voters would be severely disrupted owing to the loss by many voters of their electoral cards from bush materials houses swept away in cyclone Pam. And for Port Vila voters there is a particular problem in that the election which saw Kenneth Natapei recently voted a Port Vila MP, their red cards became filled and needing replacement "between January and March 2016," voters were told by the Electoral Office officials. Daily Post reports today the new Caretaker Minister of Justice, Robert Bohn, ordering his DG to move the 14 MPs detained on bribery convictions and housed in the 'medium risk' facility to the Women's Detention Centre. He would not give reasons. Bohn was one of the few who escaped a conviction and sentence in the matter which has imprisoned the 14 others. Daily Post today reports the loss of a lease to Tassiriki beachfront land at Erakor Lagoon by Kalo Sandy in an Appeal Court case brought by the Vanuatu Rowing Association. The lease was allowed by former Lands Minister Stephen Kalsakau for VT 500,000 when a premium value had been established at VT 15,400,000 in the established way. Kalo's rent to Government was established at only VT 15,000. This lease and others to Kalo by the same minister are said to be likely to be subject matter for Ombudsman investigation. Radio New Zealand International says the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu has given approval for the Bank South Pacific to operate in Vanuatu from July next year. Radio Vanuatu added that the approval was given this week. The BSP plan was to take over Westpac operations earlier this year as it has done elsewhere in the region, but cyclone Pam interfered with the smooth transition planned. bobmakin | November 26, 2015 at 10:23 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fh Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1XgI305 Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Vanuatu Opposition v Minority Government

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The Vanuatu Opposition will have its day in court - possibly Friday. Various legal difficulties concerning Constitutional matters such as the powers of the President, those of the Council of Ministers of the minority Government, and the decision of the De" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Vanuatu Opposition v Minority Government by bobmakin The Vanuatu Opposition will have its day in court - possibly Friday. Various legal difficulties concerning Constitutional matters such as the powers of the President, those of the Council of Ministers of the minority Government, and the decision of the Deputy Speaker concerning a Parliament sitting scheduled for 14 December are all likely to be raised. Further information will be covered in Daily Post tomorrow morning. bobmakin | November 25, 2015 at 5:37 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fg Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1HlQJv9 Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Siobhan McDonnell on the Dissolution

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "From Radio NZ International A specialist in Vanuatu governance issues says the president's decision to dissolve the country's parliament comes as little surprise. Baldwin Lonsdale made the announcement and called a snap election last night, saying it was" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Siobhan McDonnell on the Dissolution by bobmakin From Radio NZ International A specialist in Vanuatu governance issues says the president's decision to dissolve the country's parliament comes as little surprise. Baldwin Lonsdale made the announcement and called a snap election last night, saying it was in the best interests of Vanuatu. The government and the opposition have been trying to resolve a political impasse which began after 14 government MPs were last month jailed for bribery, with no success. The Australian National University's Siobhan McDonnell, who was an advisor to a former Vanautu government, says the announcement is dramatic, but not unexpected. SIOBHAN MCDONNEL: The president has always been holding this card and he has been hoping that the government and opposition can find a way to govern but at the end of the day he has obviously decided that, that is not looking likely in the near future and he has decided to dissolve parliament. JAMIE TAHANA: Was that the best decision for Vanuatu though? SM: Look that is a very interesting question, the opposition has been very keen to govern they are incredibly concerned about the passing of the budget for next year so that all of the government services continue to function and also Vanuatu is currently in the midst of a drought and it looks like those conditions are worsening and these are potentially going to create disaster like conditions because many people have not recovered gardens from the cyclone earlier this year. So for those reasons the opposition was very keen to get in and govern. JT: The budget has not yet been passed it is due to be in the second session which now there is no parliament it can't happen can it? So what does this mean for passing the budget or funding drought relief programs and all that? SM: Well essentially this government is now in caretaker mode it is not really functioning because so many cabinet ministers and so many members of parliament in the current government are in jail and lost their appeal on Friday. So there is already reports of certain services not being funded but really it was about putting everything in place for next year by making sure that current servicing continues into 2016. So caretaker mode allows for some of that provisional funding to be allocated but really all of the 2016 funding has to come out of that next budget. JT: So this could really hold back funding at a critical time for Vanuatu? SM: That is the concern of the opposition, I mean treasury is working very hard to get out the money post cyclone Pam. But there is really critical disaster relief issues that seem to be coming to the fore now in Vanuatu. So the drought has been particularly extreme I have just come back from Efate where the land is incredibly dry. People's gardens have nothing in them and there are households that don't have food. This is a really critical time to really be governing well in Vanuatu I think. JT: We don't have a date for an election yet but now we go into a sort of election campaign mode, can we expect this to be very different because now there is electorates who don't have incumbent MP's any more? SM: Yes and the other thing is that there was a lot of discussion around the need for constitutional reform and reform of parliamentary processes as well. So there were a lot of things that the political parties had on the table that they were looking at in terms of broad scale political reform that would have meant had they been able to hold off on a election that perhaps some of that agreement might have been in place. So agreement around stability of future government but because none of those have been finalised we are essentially looking at an election where we have got 14 by elections running and in those large scale by elections you could have a whole series of new candidates coming up. So it is hard to predict what the new parliament will look like. JT: At the same time this could also be the opportunity for a clean out too? SM: Yes that is the hope, I mean it is really interesting how profound the impact of these judicial decisions have been. So at the grassroots in Vanuatu there are many more people who are now more hopeful than they have been and there is a sense that it might not be business as usual in terms of the amount of money that was changing hands amongst members of parliament but look all of that remains to be seen. bobmakin | November 25, 2015 at 11:04 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Ff Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1N6TGMa Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Dissolution solution

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The full text of the dissolution of Parliament by President Baldwin Lonsdale was given last night by VBTC and is printed today in Daily Post. The Head of State says his deadline of last Sunday for the Government and Opposition to reach an amicable soluti" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Dissolution solution by bobmakin The full text of the dissolution of Parliament by President Baldwin Lonsdale was given last night by VBTC and is printed today in Daily Post. The Head of State says his deadline of last Sunday for the Government and Opposition to reach an amicable solution, a month after 14 MPs were committed to Correctional Services, had passed. Neither side has sufficient numbers to serve the people of Vanuatu, he says: climate change and sea level rise are affecting the people of Vanuatu and there is the likelihood of more cyclones this cyclone season. With "service delivery to our people slow and not effective" and with the man-made disaster of political instability, the President is following the advice of the Council of Ministers and dissolving Parliament. He says this advice he withheld until yesterday. President Lonsdale speaks of the dissolution as a last resort. The Head of State says he is making his decision in knowledge of the call for a Parliament sitting on 14 December and in awareness of the urgent Constitutional application which will be heard this afternoon. President Lonsdale has been advised the Electoral Office has funds to run the general election. He reminded his listeners that dissolution is a last resort. to "return the integrity of our nation and safeguard sovereignty of our country, and allow the country not to go through continued political instability." He observes that there have been four prime ministers since Parliament was elected in 2012. bobmakin | November 25, 2015 at 9:41 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fe Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1lgrC2H Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Parliament dissolution and Const’l Case

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The Supreme Court will hear Constitutional Case 691 tomorrow at 2 pm brought by 24 MPs largely of the Opposition, and Kenneth Natapei, against the Speaker of Parliament and the Republic of Vanuatu. Daily Post says the Head of State has decided to exercis" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Parliament dissolution and Const’l Case by bobmakin The Supreme Court will hear Constitutional Case 691 tomorrow at 2 pm brought by 24 MPs largely of the Opposition, and Kenneth Natapei, against the Speaker of Parliament and the Republic of Vanuatu. Daily Post says the Head of State has decided to exercise his power to dissolve Parliament. bobmakin | November 24, 2015 at 5:28 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fd Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1YqYmEL Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 24 November 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Last week's Appeal Court judgments and the Opposition press conference yesterday continue to occupy headlines today. Daily Post was able to say the Prime Minister met with the Head of State yesterday afternoon. However, no details were provided. A little " Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 24 November 2015 by bobmakin Last week's Appeal Court judgments and the Opposition press conference yesterday continue to occupy headlines today. Daily Post was able to say the Prime Minister met with the Head of State yesterday afternoon. However, no details were provided. A little information was given by Radio Vanuatu News this morning. This should be expanded on Radio Vanuatu News at 12. Post also reported that the conviction of Israeli Eilon Mass on charges of rape was quashed by the Appeal Court and there was more detail relating to the issue of the fishing vessel licence to HUYU 912. This licence issue has created difficulties within the Ministry and Departments of Agriculture and Fisgeries. However, the of the Golden Ocean group of companies will not arrive in Vanuatu waters before the end of the year. bobmakin | November 24, 2015 at 9:46 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fc Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1YqiI10 Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 22 November 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Apart from the news of the Opposition press conference this morning, just sent, together with the date for Parliament, the Digest advises ... Daily Post today carried a report of the President of the Malvatumauri, Chief Senimau Tirsupe, questioning the w" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 22 November 2015 by bobmakin Apart from the news of the Opposition press conference this morning, just sent, together with the date for Parliament, the Digest advises ... Daily Post today carried a report of the President of the Malvatumauri, Chief Senimau Tirsupe, questioning the whereabouts of the VT 25 million government promised for renovation of the Chiefs' Nakamal in Port Vila. The principal nakamal of the country was shredded by cyclone Pam, but the allocated funds have never been made available for restoration, and we have entered another cyclone season. Daily Post also confirms the judgement of the Appeals Court in the Bribery Case, asserting Justice Sey "was fully justified" and "correct in almost all respects." The Appeals Court did dispute Justice Fatiaki's ruling that Leadership Code charges were not admissible. In fact, it may yet be possible for the Court to invoke the Leadership Code, but Justice Sey's decisions were entirely upheld by the Court last Friday afternoon. The Preliminary Investigation into Conspiracy matters relating to the Bribery Case will be presented in the Magistrates' Court on Friday. "Voyager of the Sea," said to be the largest cruise liner ever to come here (with 3,500 passengers and 1,200 crew) has been at the Port Vila Wharf, welcomed by a VMF Band performance. bobmakin | November 23, 2015 at 3:36 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fb Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1X7Qfjq Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Opposition: PM must step down

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The Vanuatu Opposition is insistent the Prime Minister step down immediately. Opposition leaders Ham Lini and Joe Natuman made it clear to a press conference this morning they had made every effort - and with goodwill - to secure the Presidential wish of " Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Opposition: PM must step down by bobmakin The Vanuatu Opposition is insistent the Prime Minister step down immediately. Opposition leaders Ham Lini and Joe Natuman made it clear to a press conference this morning they had made every effort - and with goodwill - to secure the Presidential wish of a government of national unity (GNU). But their propositions for a GNU were continually rejected by the Prime Minister who is clearly running a minority government with half his MPs imprisoned, corrupt practices having brought his government down. The Haos now comprises 38 MPs, with fourteen seats vacant. The Opposition commands 24 seats and has a 2/3 control of the country's supreme law-making body. The Opposition wants an early ordinary sitting of Parliament to discuss national issues rather than a meeting which suits the PM's personal interests. Joe Natuman pointed out the considerable work undertaken by his government concerning the re-conditioning of the Port Vila airport, work supported by World Bank assistance, the World Bank having offered a much better rate than the Chinese EXIM Bank which Kilman has authorised. Today's Daily Post indicates Deputy Speaker Samson Samsen has announced Parliament should begin on 14 December. The Deputy Speaker's notice of the sitting did not include the Opposition's requirement for the MPs election of a Speaker. Amongst other matters, the Opposition wants the national budget for 2016 considered by Parliament and the swearing-in of the new Port Vila MP, Kenneth Natapei, to be promptly attended to. The Opposition has made its views known to State House. bobmakin | November 23, 2015 at 2:49 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Fa Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1X7LVAz Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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