Pacific links: Turnbull in PNG, Tonga's Kava ban and NZ navy on illegal fishing patrol
Photo: Facebook/Malcolm Turnbull
- Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull has concluded his visit to Papua New Guinea, which coincided with the 75th anniversary of the Kokoda Trail campaign. An official commemoration will be held in Canberra.
- An Australian refugee advocate and former journalist has been detained on Manus Island by Papua New Guinean officials.
- New Zealand has announced it will send a naval patrol vessel to Fiji to assist in addressing illegal fishing.
- Both New Caledonia and Vanuatu are reportedly unscathed by Cyclone Cook that passed through the region over the weekend.
- Anti-corruption officials in the Solomon Islands have arrested the Minister for Provincial Government.
- At a Lowy Institute event addressing youth political participation in Australia and PNG, panellist Barbra Thomas from The Voice Inc spoke on youth engagement and the bilateral relationship. The Aus-PNG Network facilitated the event.
- Tonga has temporarily banned kava drinking in public halls after multiple confirmed cases of typhoid, which recently killed a woman in New Zealand.
- The New York Times has explored the Fijian practice of giving a ‘tabua’, made from the tooth of sperm whales. A tabua is also depicted on Fiji's 20-cent coin.