By Anna Kirk, an intern in the Lowy Institute's Melanesia program.
- The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission has released the final results of last week's election.
- Mark Tamsitt argues that although the Solomon Islands election preparations and polling day went well, this does not guarantee a peaceful transition to government or a parliament serious about reform.
- The Pacific Islands have the lowest representation of women in parliament in the world. A record number of women will be running in the Tongan election this week, where only four women have won seats since 1951.
- Jenny Hayward-Jones and Philippa Brant dissect the significance of Xi and Modi’s recent trips to Fiji.
- In Vanuatu, the parliament has suspended 16 opposition MPs over allegations of bribery and vote-buying.
- Stephen Howes believes that Australia and New Zealand will have to tackle labour mobility if they want to finalise PACER Plus negotiations. He argues that Pacific Islanders coming to Australia under the Seasonal Workers Program cannot compete with the huge numbers of backpackers working in agriculture.
- Many communities across the Pacific marked White Ribbon Day, or the International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women, on 25 November. This interactive map shows how Australia assists in improving opportunities for women in the region through the Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development initiative.