Agnes Tupou

Melbourne

Radio Broadcaster at ABC Pacific

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Articles

Giant 'woolly' rat caught on camera for first time in Papua New Guinea's mountains

2 days ago | abc.net.au | Gillian Aeria |Agnes Tupou

A species of giant rodent has been photographed alive in New Guinea's mountains for the first time. Previous illustrations of it came from paintings or preserved specimens. More studies are needed to understand the biodiversity of the mountains. In the dead of night, a giant rat the size of a small terrier scurries among the forest ferns in the wet, glacial valley of Papua New Guinea's highest mountain. Little does it know, it is being caught on candid camera.
Citizenship agent may not have "Googled" Tate before issuing passport

3 days ago | abc.net.au | Agnes Tupou

On the program todayVanuatu's Citizenship Commission insists proper checks were carried out before controversial influencer Andrew Tate was issued a passort. Papua New Guinea aims to finalise defence treaty with Australia by PNG's 50th anniversary celebrations in September. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs officials address claims of worker mistreatment within the PALM scheme. Leaders take a stance on deep sea mining ahead of the United Nations Oceans Conference.
Machete ban in Victoria to have disproportional effect on Pacific communities

4 days ago | abc.net.au | Agnes Tupou

A ban on the sale of machetes was announced here in the Australian state of Victoria in May following a spate of high profile criminal attacks. Seven people were injured during one such incident at a Melbourne shopping mall on a Sunday afternoon... However the ban has had a disproportional effect on the Pacific Islands community, who rely on certain machete knives for cultural and personal use.
Vanuatu to consider revoking Andrew Tate's citizenship from "golden passport" scheme

4 days ago | abc.net.au | Agnes Tupou

On the program todayVanuatu says it is looking to revoke citizenship granted to misogynist influencer Andrew Tate. Kava is booming but small island nations struggle to find a balance between profit and the crop's cultural implications. A ban on machetes in the Australian state of Victoria has a disproportional effect on the Pacific communities. Experts fear NRL newcomers the Perth Bears is an "insurance policy" in case a PNG team fails to get up and running.
Can the age-old solution of seawalls protect the Pacific against climate change?

5 days ago | abc.net.au | Agnes Tupou

On the program todayPacific Islands are turning to the age-old solution of seawalls as a source of hope to curb sea level rising. Vanuatu's Supreme Court delivers a landmark ruling in favour of the Vanuatu Teachers Union. The dollar figure for the Pacific kava market is revealed at the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry in Tonga. A litigation fund is signed to pay $60 million in damages over a 2019 oil spill in the Solomon Islands.
Samoans celebrate 63rd Independence Day in diaspora and the motherland

6 days ago | abc.net.au | Agnes Tupou

It was sixty three years ago when the Islands of Western Samoa became the first independent nation in the South Pacific. A ward of New Zealand since 1914, it's people decided they wanted independence. Eventually, they got it and over the weekend Samoa marked its 63rd year of sovereignty. community leader and founder of Samoans in Melbourne Facebook page, Tony Fretton
Samoans celebrate 63rd Independence Day in diaspora and the motherland

6 days ago | abc.net.au | Agnes Tupou

On the program todaySamoa marks its 63rd Independence Day. Independence Day helps Melbourne’s Samoan diaspora reclaim Pacific culture and identity. Debate heats up in Papua New Guinea around the poor state of government services. Questions over whether PNG nationals will be given Australian citizenship if they’re allowed to join the Australian Defence Force. Shocking accounts of temporary workers hiding pregnancies and attempting home abortions. And Pasifika teams flame out of the Super Rugby season.
Albanese win a collective sight of relief for the Pacific says academic

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Agnes Tupou

A senior Pacific academic says Anthony Albanese's return as prime minister has been welcomed in the Pacific diaspora community and in the wider region. The Anthony Albanese-led Labor Party trounced their Coalition rivals at the Federal election over the weekend. Sala Dr George Carter, Deputy Head of the Australian National University's Department of Pacific Affairs, said Labor's return is a continuation of the government's work in the Pacific. "I think there's a lot of sigh of relief ...
Weak leadership sparked Solomons' MP revolt says Sogavare

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Agnes Tupou

Solomon Islands M-P Manasseh Sogavare says weak leadership by the country's prime minister prompted a revolt by 10 government M-Ps.The former prime minister is leading a breakaway group, challenging Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele's leadership in a no-confidence vote next week. Professor of Comparative Politics at Victoria University Jon Fraenkel says Mr Sogavare has been prime minister four times and is a shrewd political player. Pacific, Solomon Islands, Government and Politics
Lawmakers fear US defence spending is neglecting Guam's local population

Feb 26, 2025 | abc.net.au | Kyle Evans |Agnes Tupou

Guam lawmakers are calling on the US government to provide more infrastructure to protect civilians, as geopolitical tensions heighten the threat of regional conflict. A recent public hearing at the Guam Legislature highlighted the need for air raid shelters, food stockpiles and evacuation drills to protect civilians in the event of an attack.