THE government of Solomon Islands is mooting the idea of extending parliament’s term via constitutional amendment, either through a sunset clause or permanently, in light of the general election and Pacific Games falling in the same year. While the Opposition, business sector, and public seem united against the proposal, a leaked memo reveals that the…
AUSTRALIA and Solomon Islands enjoy a close bond – indeed, we are Pacific family. The Blue Pacific is our shared home, our common region. The Coral Sea links us forever and continental drift is in fact pushing us closer together. But our deep friendship is based on much more than shared geography. We are bound…
By MARGARETH QAE MATH TEACHER FLORENCE YOUNG CHRISTIAN SCHOOL INTRODUCTION – JAB or NO JAB Jab for education or no jab for no education. This is the great diaspora of covid 19 that faces our nation, our children, our youth and threatens the very future of our children. In a few weeks, our schools will…
Q: Why should China and Solomon Islands sign security agreement? A: Solomon Islands has bitter memories of social unrest in the past decades since its independence. In November 2021, riot broke out again in Honiara and resulted in huge property losses and social panic. The government of Solomon Islands decided to diversify its international security…
The Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare on Tuesday in Parliament labelled the public servants or maybe some members of his party or the DCGA Coalition as “LUNATICS” over the leakage of his DCGA/CHINA Security Deal. Prior to that he called the citizens of Solomon Islands whose entrusted power he exercises as “TOM DICK AND HARRY”…
IN 1981 I was sent to cover the then South Pacific Forum Meeting in Port Vila, Vanuatu. (I was then a reporter with the Port Moresby-based Post Courier newspaper, owned by multi-millionaire Rupert Murdoch). As it was my first overseas assignment, I was determined to make the most of it. There were other Port Moresby…
We refer to queries raised in the media questioning whether the Office of the Leader of Opposition can challenge recent Government actions in court. The office of the Leader of Opposition acknowledges and appreciates the matter in concern. As rightly pointed out, the current leader of Opposition is no stranger to taking up matters of…
The policy behind the extension of the current Parliament to 2024 as well for a five-year term was a Cabinet decision. It is no longer a proposal. It is now a major policy of the DCGA Government. Given it was a Cabinet decision, the responsibility to explain and defend the Cabinet decision rests with Cabinet…
All it takes will be for some Chinese business to set up a large commercial piggery, cattle farm, cocoa and other root crop farms to kill off any attempt to promote increase of production through small holders. The Government should protect Solomon Islander farmers now by encouraging the establishment of national corporations for piggery, cattle…
Statement By Dr VAENO VIGULU PERMANENT SECRETARY MINISTRY OF FORESTRY AND RESEARCH Today, marks one of those very important days when the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed in 2012, that on every 21st March the International Day of Forests (IDF) shall be commemorated around the world annually. This is in recognition of forest’s pivotal role…