- Steven Ciobo has been appointed to the newly created position of Minister for International Development and the Pacific, saying it demonstrates the importance of the Pacific for Australia.
- On ABC's Pacific Beat, Jonathan Pryke said the new portfolio shows Australia is taking its relationships in the Pacific seriously, but that there is unlikely to be any change where the issue of climate change is concerned.
- At the Senate inquiry into Australia's aid to PNG, Julia Newton-Howes and Mike Bourke advised that Australia should be ready to assist with the drought situation.
- Care International warns that food and water shortages may worsen in Vanuatu where drought may compound the damage of Cyclone Pam.
- Pacific Microfinance Week is underway in Honiara and the issue of financial inclusion is dominating much of the discussion. Keep up to date with the conference through the hashtag #PMW2015.
- Australia is set to play Fiji in its first game of the Rugby World Cup. Cousins Tevita Kuridrani and Nemani Nadolo will be on opposing sides of the game, highlighting the strong Pacific presence in Australian rugby.
- The Lukim PNG Nau Tourism Expo is coming up on 27 September to promote PNG as a tourist destination to visiting travel agents from around the region:
Pacific Island links: Steven Ciobo, drought in PNG and Vanuatu, Pacific Microfinance Week, Rugby World Cup and more
Published 23 Sep 2015
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