Henderson Island (Flickr/Robert Levy)

Pacific links: Manus Island asylum seekers told to move on, the rubbish-filled Henderson Island, PNG's informal economy and more

Demolition work will soon begin at the Manus Island detention centre while an economist urges PNG's politicians to consider the informal economy in the run up to the election.

Harriet Smith

17 May 20171 min read

In this Devpolicy post, David Morris offers proposals for the Pacific region as it considers its place in the Asia Pacific and relationship with China.
The same David Morris, in his role representing the Pacific Islands Forum was at Beijing's One Belt, One Road summit earlier this week, along with Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.
Should PNG political parties consider supporting the informal economy in the lead up to the election? Economist Busa Jeremiah Wenogo argues yes.
PNG police have turned to the private sector for firearms training after Australian Federal Police in PNG refused to provide the same.
The 800 asylum seekers on Manus Island still held in the Australian detention centre there have been told they must leave. The ABC was sent a recording of an official informing the 100 men whose claims have been rejected they should agree to return their countries of origin. The 700 who have found to be refugees can choose to relocate to a temporary transit centre on the Island.
Tonga has announced it is no longer intends to host the 2019 Pacific Games, citing financial concerns.
The areas of Vanuatu hardest hit by Cyclone Donna, including the Torres Islands, are still recovering and in need of aid.
A new study suggests the highest density of plastic debris in the world is to be found on the uninhabited Henderson Island in the South Pacific.

Harriet Smith

About the author

Harriet Smith

Harriet Smith is a former Research Associate in the Melanesia Program, where she worked primarily on the Aus-PNG Network .

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In this Devpolicy post, David Morris offers proposals for the Pacific region as it considers its place in the Asia Pacific and relationship with China.
The same David Morris, in his role representing the Pacific Islands Forum was at Beijing's One Belt, One Road summit earlier this week, along with Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.
Should PNG political parties consider supporting the informal economy in the lead up to the election? Economist Busa Jeremiah Wenogo argues yes.
PNG police have turned to the private sector for firearms training after Australian Federal Police in PNG refused to provide the same.
The 800 asylum seekers on Manus Island still held in the Australian detention centre there have been told they must leave. The ABC was sent a recording of an official informing the 100 men whose claims have been rejected they should agree to return their countries of origin. The 700 who have found to be refugees can choose to relocate to a temporary transit centre on the Island.
Tonga has announced it is no longer intends to host the 2019 Pacific Games, citing financial concerns.
The areas of Vanuatu hardest hit by Cyclone Donna, including the Torres Islands, are still recovering and in need of aid.
A new study suggests the highest density of plastic debris in the world is to be found on the uninhabited Henderson Island in the South Pacific.

Pacific links: Manus Island asylum seekers told to move on, the rubbish-filled Henderson Island, PNG's informal economy and more

The Interpreter on Pacific Islands

Australia’s Pacific amnesia

Vanuatu’s bid to settle France’s claim to Matthew and Hunter

The donor-dependency trap in multilateral finance

More on Pacific Islands

Pacific unity on the line: The 2026 PIF Leaders' Meeting

The Pacific’s deep-sea fault line

Fault lines beneath the Blue Pacific: Deep-sea mining and the future of Pacific unity

2026 Allan Gyngell Lecture: Senator Penny Wong

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The Interpreter on Pacific Islands

Australia’s Pacific amnesia

Vanuatu’s bid to settle France’s claim to Matthew and Hunter

The donor-dependency trap in multilateral finance

More on Pacific Islands

Pacific unity on the line: The 2026 PIF Leaders' Meeting

The Pacific’s deep-sea fault line

Fault lines beneath the Blue Pacific: Deep-sea mining and the future of Pacific unity

2026 Allan Gyngell Lecture: Senator Penny Wong

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