Pacific Beat

Samoa's power blackouts appears to be worsening. Residents on the island of Upolu are now undergoing power rationing which is affecting homes, businesses and schools. It's frustrating residents, with many calling for answers about Samoa's deteriorating power supply.

03-19

44:31

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape says Bougainville should become economically independent and disarm itself before becoming an independent nation. Mr Marape’s comments has triggered many Bougainvilleans, who accuse PNG’s government of dragging its feet.

03-18

46:53

Leaders from Bougainville and Papua New Guinea are currently in Port Moresby for discussions on Bougainville independence.

03-17

49:14

Bougainville's attorney general says his government has made concessions ahead of independence talks with PNG and an independent moderator. He says they've withdrawn their position for a simple majority as the threshold for the PNG's parliament to pass the 2019 referendum.

03-16

49:44

PNG's Opposition say they're taking two constitutional amendments - declaring PNG a Christian country and limiting the votes of no confidence against the PM - to the Supreme Court. 

03-13

51:46

The Solomon Islands prime minister has pushed back on Australia's attempts to extract strategic concessions from his country in return for a $190 million policing package announced late last year, saying officials are trying to hammer out a "compromise" on the issue. 

03-12

49:26

The chairman of Vanuatu’s Citizenship Commission says the passport issued to a fugitive Indian businessman, and former chair of the Indian Premier League, can't be revoked until he's been convicted of a crime. 

03-11

51:03

Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat has ordered the cancellation of a passport issued to an Indian businessman who is wanted in his home country on allegations of tax evasion.

03-10

48:54

Cyclone Alfred has been downgraded to a tropical depression as the Pacific Islands community in Queensland and parts of New South Wales experience heavy rains.  

03-09

46:21

Pacific workers on the PALM scheme in Queensland are among those preparing for the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. While Pacific Islanders are used to cyclones for many it will be the first time to experience one in Australia.  

03-06

47:23

Samoa's Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa is expected to face a motion for a vote of no confidence today. We heard from the public in Apia who have expressed frustration at the situation.

03-05

51:56

In New Caledonia, talks are underway between pro-independence groups, loyalists and the French government.

03-04

46:35

Samoa's parliament is currently debating a motion for a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, who says she will call for a snap election if a vote goes against her.

03-03

49:01

The biggest university in Papua New Guinea's highlands may have to defer the start of classes because of unrest stemming from the deaths of two police officers.

03-02

47:58

Pacific leaders have wrapped up a major fisheries summit in Solomon Islands with a declaration for countries to work towards addressing data gaps and aligning with international agreements.