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1 week ago | 
abc.net.au | Inga Stunzner |Jordan Fennell |Kuntamari Crofts
For decades Pacific Island countries have struggled to keep basic medicines like paracetamol or antibiotics readily available leaving locals distrustful of health systems and doctors under stress. In this episode of Politok you’ll hear from patients, public health experts, and doctors about the strain this is putting on countries and how the system got to where it is today.
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2 weeks ago | 
abc.net.au | Inga Stunzner |Kuntamari Crofts |Jordan Fennell
Rugby league fans across Papua New Guinea were thrilled when Australia and PNG struck a historic deal for a PNG team to enter the NRL in 2028. Australia will contribute AUD$600 million to the deal but in a country where infrastructure is failing, and the health system is in crisis some question whether the money could be put to better use. Talent:Michael Marum.
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3 weeks ago | 
abc.net.au | Inga Stunzner |Jordan Fennell |Kuntamari Crofts
Vishal Prasad was a law student at the University of the South Pacific when he heard about a group that was planning to take the issue of climate change to the International Court of Justice. More than five years later he tells the story of how he and his fellow students teamed up with Vanuatu’s government to call for climate justice at the ICJ.
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1 month ago | 
abc.net.au | Inga Stunzner |Kuntamari Crofts |Jordan Fennell
Each election cycle in PNG sparks conflicts and tribal violence leading to mass displacement of thousands of people around Papua New Guinea, but especially in the highlands. You'll hear from a journalist who borne witness to this violence, a human rights advocate walking alongside the refugees, and a police commissioner trying to negotiate peace.
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Dec 9, 2024 | 
abc.net.au | Jordan Fennell
It was five years ago when a deadly measles epidemic swept through Samoa infecting thousands and killing 83 children. Natasha Lameko lost her 10-month-old daughter during the outbreak. "I just wished I hadn't lived those two months, December and November... I haven't had enough sleep at night. That's what kept me up all night," Ms Lameko said. While the pain suffered by families is still evident, Samoa's health authorities say vaccination levels are now back on track.
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Dec 8, 2024 | 
abc.net.au | Jordan Fennell
It is D-Day in the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa with parliament meeting today to deliberate on a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku. The collapse of France's government has thrown New Caledonia into fresh uncertainty as it tries to recover from its worst civil unrest in decades. Weaving is done right across the Pacific including Nauru where basket making has is done in its own unique style.
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Dec 3, 2024 | 
abc.net.au | Doug Dingwall |Jordan Fennell
Vanuatu has urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to find polluting nations have acted unlawfully by contributing to climate change, in a landmark case that could change future climate talks. But Australia, which also addressed the court at The Hague, in the Netherlands, on Monday said obligations for nations to prevent climate change largely did not extend beyond major international climate treaties including the Paris Agreement.
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Nov 27, 2024 | 
abc.net.au | Jordan Fennell
Australia and the Pacific's bid to host the COP 31 United Nations climate talks is in limbo after it failed to win consensus at COP 29 in Azerbaijan. As pressure mounts from Pacific leaders for action from Australia climate analysts say it will take delicate negotiations with Turkey to make it work. A standoff between Turkey and Australia means it won't be decided until June 2025 giving the successful country less than 18 months to prepare.
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Nov 27, 2024 | 
abc.net.au | Jordan Fennell
On the program today: Australia and the Pacific's bid to host the COP31 UN climate talks is in limbo after it failed to win consensus at COP29 in Azerbaijan. There were Pacific hymns in the hallways of Victoria's state parliament last night as Samoan woman Anasina Gray-Barberio gave her inaugural speech as the state's first Pasifika MP. In Vanuatu voters are waiting for the date of the country's snap election to be announced with the election office allocating 2 million Vatu for the event.
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Nov 13, 2024 | 
abc.net.au | Jordan Fennell
A push by New Zealand's new conservative government to reinterpret New Zealand's historic Treaty of Waitangi has sparked a backlash. Thousands of Maori activists have taken to the streets in protest ahead of a parliamentary debate on legislation that could change the way the 180-year-old agreement between Maori chiefs and the British Crown is put into practice.
