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Miss Solomon Islands Pageant 2019 set for November

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The annual Miss Solomon Islands Pageant (MSIP) show is on again, set for Friday and Saturday, November 1 & 2, 2019 with the theme “Advancing women in leadership and stewardship”.
MSIP director Joyce Konofilia in a press conference at the Solomon Host conference room yesterday confirmed that the MSIP committee is very happy to host MSIP show 2019.
“A total of six contestants will be contesting this year’s pageant show and they are in the age range of 18 to 25 years of age.
“This year’s MSIP show will be an interesting one as it has a diverse of contestants from different provinces,” said Mrs Konofilia.
During the press conference the pageant contestants also introduce themselves and explain the issues that they want to advocate on which motivates them to join the show.
The six contestants for the MSIP 2019 are Maenisa Boso (22 years old) Western province, Melissa Takanaia (25) Malaita/Western province, Gladys Habu (24) and from Isabel province, Tiare Haro (19) from Malaita/Isabel province, Bridget Igilave from Western province/PNG and (24) and Freda Maui (22) years and from Renbel province.
The objectives of this year’s show is to encourage young women to respect and realise their potentials in being part of a peaceful and harmonious society for our families, to instill a sense of confidence in our young women as leaders in all spheres of society, showcase the talents and gifts of our young women in being productive, beautiful and intelligent contributors in our communities, crowned Miss Solomon Islands 2019 will represent Solomon Islands at the annual Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2019 in PNG by showcasing and disseminating of information about our people and cultures, promote local businesses that support women endeavours in the country, continue charity work in the country and create partnership with women stakeholders to promote and advance women agendas and policies for employment.
The MSIP show will be staged on Friday (Nov 1) with a speech competition by the contestants on topics relating to the Theme by the contestants and a float procession from SICUL grounds at Town Ground all the way up to the SINU Kukum campus and back again to the National Art Gallery.
The Crowning night will be on Saturday (Nov 2) and there will be four categories; the Sarong, Talent, Traditional contemporary wear and on-stage interview.
All points from the four categories will be added up with the speech overall mark to determine the overall winner and Miss Solomon Islands 2019 and a separate award will be awarded for the best float and best speech.
Each event will have a set of judges appointed by the MSIP Committee with specific judging criteria.

Caption: MSIP 2019 Contestants. Photo By Daniel Kakadi (MSIP official photographer)

Respect each other and our laws

Written by
Press Release
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We must all take heed of the advice by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).
The police yesterday appealed to Malaitans to abide by the laws of the country.
This advice should be taken seriously by all Solomon Islanders and not just for Malaitans.
Yes reports coming out of Auki this week are quite sensitive which could incite violence or riots.
This paper has also been accused of misinforming the public. If you think we are doing so, write or speak to us directly or give us the correct information.
We depend on you to give us the correct information and stop labelling us names on social media.
We know of people who like our Facebook page and make derogatory comments about our reporters. We are recording each and every defamatory comment in our Facebook Posts.
Please comment responsibly on the issues rather than shooting the messenger.
This is the same advice given by Malaita Provincial Police Commander Solomon Sisimia.
He said people should not use humiliating or defamatory statements in public or in the social media against any person which may stir up hatred and violence.
We all know that social media is a powerful platform but it is not regulated and individuals can post whatever they want to say.
We respect their freedom of speech, but that freedom must also come with responsibility and it is not absolute.
Most times, social media shared and posted news published by the mainstream media and followers dissect, comment and reinforced their personal agenda in posting those news item.
This is good, but sometimes it goes viral and comments become defamatory.
As such, we should all respect one another and do not hide behind our cell phones or computers and comment on social media disrespectfully.
Discuss and debate about issues and not about people and their personal lives. Also stop labelling people names and their provincial associations.
We are all Solomon Islanders and we also have our own customs and culture and one of these is respect.
We all need to respect our leaders and our neighbours.
If we disagree with certain things, there are proper channels to vent those frustrations.
Equally if you think we are cooking up rumours, call us up and tell us the factual side of the story.
We are governed by our laws therefore we must all respect those laws.

Gov’t lied to you: Hou

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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-Sacked Minister for National Planning spills the beans on PM Sogavare’s pre-determined move to China

-Processes for China switch was fake: Houenipwela

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

GOVERNMENT telling people of the nation earlier that they will go through transparent processes before deciding whether or not to switch to China – was all fake, says former Minister of National Planning Rick Houenipwela.

Mr Houenipwela [Hou] and Dr Tautai Agikimua Kaituu (former minister for Justice and Legal Affairs) were removed from their portfolios yesterday morning.

In a media conference yesterday afternoon, Hou revealed that he was sacked by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare because they were at “odds” over the recent defiance shown by Hou and other ministers who refused to vote to recognise communist China over Taiwan.

It is believed that this is also the reason behind Kaituu’s sacking.

With government’s choice to dump Taiwan for China, Hou said though it was a Cabinet decision, the process taken was ‘not true’. In other words, it was all for show, to deceive onlookers.

Hou makes example of a talk-back show held on Sunday, September 15, before that fateful Monday. He said during the show, the PM’s officials and the Chairman of the Bi-partisan Task Force (BTF) kept repeating that processes were still not finished, knowing full well that the next day they will be deciding.

Hou sums up the whole saga by saying “the switch decision was predetermined”.

“Like the decision was already made several weeks ago, and then the PM just later tried to tell the people of procedures being taken which, we did not follow,” said Hou.

“The Talk-Back-Show was just a formality, meeting at Caucas were just a formality, Caucas was just a formality. Of course we debated a bit on this, but this was not to change anything. Everything [Switch decision] was already being set, because even if it was to go to the vote in which we went to it, it was all kind of orchestrated from the start to happen this way.

“This is the way how it was arranged so that the processes looked like being the appropriate steps taken. And, what I am saying is it is not straight. I feel bad that we have done this, we used the Cabinet and Caucas procedures to make something not straight.”

Hou said it was this process that he had always kept urging Caucas and Cabinet over the rush on switch, which saw him booted by Prime Minister Sogavare.

“I received a termination in the morning [yesterday] from the Prime Minister in relieving me from duties as the Minister for National Planning,” said Hou.

“In a way I have been expecting this to happen for a while now about four weeks ago. As far as I am concerned, it was just a matter of time before the PM will be doing this.

“Basically the Prime Minister and us the others are advocates of this Solomon Islands diplomatic relations switch to the Peoples Republic of China [PRC]. Where we have been at odds is on the ‘rush’ part.

“Why we are rushing this decision and given that the Prime Minister has already promised the nation and the world that the process sanctioned by the cabinet involves four different reports to be looked at and be considered, namely the report from the BTF, report from the Prime Ministers Department, report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and report by the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee (FRC), is what kept me repeating my concern.

“Apart from that, the Prime Minister too had said on many occasions that the government will leave no stones unturned in the process.

“Though it is a Cabinet decision, the process taken is not straight. This is why a small number of us disagreed with the rush decision though it is the Cabinet who made the decision.

“In fact a deadline that we had just learnt was from October 1 in which we asked who put that deadline for us? Reluctantly we were told that it is PRC who set this.

“For me I feel very bad for the country that such a very important decision was rushed by us. And, the other thing I feel about is the continuous lies of the government to the people.

“We have not been truthful, and especially the Prime Minister, we have not been truthful to the nation, people and to our friends.

“It is also quite a bad feeling to some of us that the government especially through the Prime Minister rubbishes development partners of the country.”

Hou said he was hoping for the Cabinet to have the sanity to sit down and think about the decision properly because they actually had an option which was going to be the middle path.

“And the middle path was one of the three options recommended by the Foreign Affairs Ministry report. That option was for us to wait and assess further the pros and cons. This is where and why some of us talk much on,” said Hou.

“But the way all the process was structured, you were not to consider any option.

“Of the four reports that the PM has promised, only two reports were received. The subject was not given the proper recognition that should be attributed. There was no view of CBSI in the report, we did not have such report.

“This subject is important, not just to see it during meetings. However the problem is we did not look at any other view contrary to this decision as it was not considered.

“It is sad we did not treat this subject importantly, the procedure and how we did it, the Cabinet and Caucas were not treated properly, [such as not allowed to talk freely]. It seemed like people were under threat.

“At that time when we were asked to vote for the resolution, the place was very tense. People were under threat. The threat is if you vote for the China resolution, you are with the government, if you vote against then you are voting against the government policy and you know where the consequences are.

“I was offered no money in any circumstance to switch or remain with Taiwan. The people surrounding me knew my position on this issue so no one offered me money at any time.

“For my colleagues during the vote for the resolution, I do not know, but what I sensed during the time of vote is you really have to have nerves in order to vote against.

“From the normal cabinet process, no one voted in a normal sense. So we abstained from voting then.

“Eventually for 16 of us shown earlier in the newspaper to be supporting Taiwan, around nine or ten later went with the resolution to switch for China. Whether those later switching were offered money, I do not know.

It had been revealed that the six MPs abstaining from voting for the resolution were John Maneniaru, Rick Hou, Dr Tautai Agikimua Kaitu’u, Lanelle Tanangada, John Dean Kuku and Samuel Manetoali.  Two that were not present due to being sick but had expressed their stand against the China resolution are Augustine Auga and Bartholomew Parapolo.

“Otherwise all that are in the government around 27 had voted,” said Hou. 

According to Hou, he has not yet decided over whether to be a backbencher on which he is still waiting to meet with their political party and decide what to do.

On September 16, 2019, Solomon Islands faithful friend (Taiwan) and long-time ally of 36 years pulled the plug on diplomatic relations between us; and on September 21, 2019, China and Solomon Islands established diplomatic ties.

Did Soga authorise the MPs to bribe Malaita’s Premier? : Opposition

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale calls on the Commissioner of Police and the Chairman of the Leadership Code Commission to quickly investigate the allegation of bribery made by the Premier of Malaita Province against Government MPs.

This call came after the Premier publicly revealed that he was offered a bribe of SBD$1 m to support the push for Solomon Islands to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China.

Mr Wale says, “Amidst the many criminal connotations that one can deduce from the allegation, on the outset, it is quite clear that the allegation calls into question the conduct of some of our national leaders.  This is a very serious matter and should not be brushed under the carpet.

“As the alleged bribe was made by twoGovernment MPs before the decision to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China was made, it raises the even more serious question of whether the Prime Minister as head of the Government, authorised the two MPs to make the offer to the Premier?” It will be quite surprising if the two alleged Government MPs were acting on their own accord and were offering their own money to the Premier.  The Prime Minister therefore must be called to answer.

“Furthermore, the allegations also now call into question the process undertaken by the Government to secure the decision to switch diplomatic ties to China.  If the Premier who is not a voting MP was promised money for his support, were the Government MPs who voted in support of the switch also offered money in the same way that is alleged and if so, who authorised such offers, and where did the money come from? 

“The public is entitled to know whether payments were made to Government MPs for their votes and whether such payments were made from public funds, Chinese money or money from persons with vested interest in the outcome of the vote to switch.  These again are serious public interest questions that warrant immediate action by our responsible law enforcement authorities.”

The Opposition leader therefore urges the Commissioner of Police not to sit on the allegations. The public deserve answers and the way to provide answers is to properly investigate the allegations and to immediately prosecute those who are implicated.

–OPPOSITION PRESS

Failed shush attempt

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani.

A government Minister and a backbencher offered Malaita Premier $1m to ‘support China’

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Malaita premier Daniel Suidani has exposed an attempt by government to silence him from speaking out Malaita’s disappointment in DCGA’s China-switch.

Two Guadalcanal members of Parliament

[names withheld]

, one a government back-bencher and the other a minister, are implicated in Suidani’s damning revelation of ‘bribe attempt’.

Premier Suidani said last week he received a phone call from the back-bencher asking him to join the government’s China-cause. Suidani declined.

Over the weekend, he received a call from the government minister, who asked him to come over to Honiara for ‘talks on the matter’ regarding government’s newfound Beijing friend. Again, Suidani declined.

Suidani adds that during the two calls, he was offered $1 million to join and support national government’s newfound relationship with communist China. Suidani turned down the offer.

Yesterday, Premier Suidani brought this matter to the media in Auki.

He said he stands by his people of Malaita and their interest on this saga of Solomon Islands severing bilateral ties with Taiwan for communist China.

He points out that what the two Government MPs failed to consider is that he [Suidani] as a leader puts Malaita first in everything that he does in his capacity as Premier and as an individual.

He admits that Malaita province definitely needs money, hinting that the outcome might have been different had the two Guadalcanal MPs thought of donating such huge amount towards the Malaita province coffers.

“But if it is just for the purpose of bribing me, I will not accept.

“I’m here representing the people of this province and I will not let them down just for that million dollar.

“This is to let the government or whosoever to understand that I’m not just a flexible leader to be over-run,” he said.

Suidani rebukes national government, saying Sogavare’s DCGA should be ashamed of itself because their decision to switch was done without considering the provincial governments.

He adds maybe Western province and others support the China move, but not Malaita. He emphasises that his people have spoken out loud and clear, and his stand as a democratic leader is to represent his people’s interest.

On that note, he challenges MPs from Malaita province who were among those who voted in favour of China to listen to the interest of their people.

Suidani said he will not be swayed like a palm on the top of a mountain.

He said Malaitans call for democracy after national government’s decision to switch to communist China and he will stand by his people.

Attempts to get comments from government offices including the Prime Minister’s office were not successful before this paper went to press last night.

Wale calls out Sogavare

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Oppotion Leader Mathew Wale and Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. File photo.

Opposition calls for police and Leadership Codes Commission to investigate bribery attempt on Malaita’s Premier

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

OPPOSITION Leader Matthew Wale has singled out Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare as head of government to answer for the failed bribery attempt on Malaita’s Premier by a Minister and a government back-bencher.

The failed bribery attempt on Premier Daniel Suidani shows the national government’s tactics and process to secure votes for the China switch, Opposition asserts.

Opposition Leader Matthew Wale in his media statement yesterday condemned the move to buy support from Premier Suidani with an offer of $1 million, which the premier had exposed to media on Monday.

Government, in its official response through the Prime Minister’s Press Secretariat, came an inch from confessing that Premier Suidani’s revelations were true.

In the response, while denouncing ‘any form of bribery by national leaders’, Provincial Government Minister and Member of Parliament for West Guadalcanal, Anthony Veke, admitted having made the invitation to which Premier Suidani had alluded to in his revelation.

“Minister Veke was in the process of inviting premiers for a dialogue to map a way forward for provinces in context of the new Sino-SI relations when he made the invitation.” The statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.

“Veke also confirmed that arrangements were being made by the Ministry for Premier Suidani and other Premiers to hold a roundtable dialogue and to explain as Minister responsible for Provincial Governments, the foreign policy position of DCGA and processes involved in the decision to change diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China.

“Minister Veke confirmed that no bribes were offered by the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening.” The statement adds.

With this peculiar response, government called on Premier Suidani to take his allegations to the police for investigation.

Opposition, while echoing the call for a police investigation into the matter, adds that the Chairman of the Leadership Code Commission must also probe into this serious allegation.

Mr Wale says, “As the alleged bribe was made by two Government MPs before the decision to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China was made, it raises the even more serious question of whether the Prime Minister as head of the Government, authorised the two MPs to make the offer to the Premier.

“It will be quite surprising if the two alleged Government MPs were acting on their own accord and were offering their own money to the Premier. 

“The Prime Minister therefore must be called to answer.

“Furthermore, the allegations also now call into question the process undertaken by the Government to secure the decision to switch diplomatic ties to China. 

“If the Premier who is not a voting MP was promised money for his support, were the Government MPs who voted in support of the switch also offered money in the same way that is alleged and if so, who authorised such offers, and where did the money come from?”

Wale goes on to say, “The public is entitled to know whether payments were made to Government MPs for their votes and whether such payments were made from public funds, Chinese money or money from persons with vested interest in the outcome of the vote to switch. 

“These again are serious public interest questions that warrant immediate action by our responsible law enforcement authorities.”

The Opposition leader urges the Commissioner of Police not to sit on the allegations.

“The public deserve answers and the way to provide answers is to properly investigate the allegations and to immediately prosecute those who are implicated.”

Premier Suidani early this week told media that he had received two phone calls; the first from a government backbencher, the second from a government Minister; during which he was offered $1 million to support the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) move to switch to China from Taiwan.

Suidani said that he refused the $1-million offer.

Premier Suidani did not give names, however said that both government members were MPs from Guadalcanal.

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson Honimae of the Police Media Unit, says police will only act if the allegations are reported to it with evidence.

In his comment to the Forum Solomon Islands International [Facebook], Mr Honimae says, “The RSIPF will only investigate the allegations if they are referred to the police with evidence. If not police cannot do anything about it. My wantoks let us understand the process and no toktok olobaot. No unnecessarily criticism RSIPF. We must follow processes and no short kate olbaot. Very soon we will be known as the Olobaot Islands. God save the Hapi Isles.”

West Rennell LOs want bauxite stockpile cleared

Written by
Mike Puia
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Stock pile.

WEST Rennell landowners are appealing to the national government to allow World Link Company to export a large bauxite stockpile it had dug up in their land.

World Link, which operated inside a private registered land in West Rennell, was unable to export the bauxite stockpile after the government cancelled its Mining Lease last year.

It is estimated that the stockpile World Link harvested before its lease was canceled weighs over 210,000 metric tonnes of wet bauxite.

World Link commenced its operation in West Rennell in 2015 until its lease was cancelled last year. It has an export permit. That permit is now invalid after the lease was canceled.

The company has already made 11 shipments of raw wet bauxite out of Rennell since it started operation.

A landowner, Jay Sau’eha, said the lease that allowed World Link to dig up bauxite in their land was issued by the government.

Sau’eha said the company was given an abrupt stop preventing a large bauxite stockpile from being exported.

He said they want the government to give a chance to World Link by allowing it to export this large stockpile.

Three shipments can cater for moving the stockpile.

It is understood Asia Pacific Investment Development (APID), a logging-turned-mining company, and its operating sub-contractor Bintan Mining Company (BMC) are in a high court battle with World Link.

This has put further doubt on World Link’s operation in West Rennell.

Sau’eha said while the two companies are taking up their time fighting a battle in the high court, his people’s plight is not being taken into consideration.

He said prior to stopping World Link’s operation, the government should notice the company to clear any stockpile before an actual stoppage is issued.

Sau’eha revealed World Link has a number of commitments to their communities and the stoppage has ceased these commitments.

He said these include its commitment to build recreational facilities in their community, construct a school and the implementation of a power project in their community.

According to Sau’eha, since the company stopped operating, their people have taken on these initiatives on their own which is costly to carry forward and to maintain.

He said their power project is now unable to move and their people are looking elsewhere for power.

Sau’eha said they want government to find a way to have the bauxite exported than leaving the stockpile become waste.

“It is our hope that responsible authorities would do the right thing and find a way where World Link can export this stockpile,” Sau’eha said.

BMC is the company currently operating in West Rennell under APID’s 25-years bauxite mining lease which covers most West Rennell land.

Some landowners who owned land within the registered site, where World Link operates on, have allowed BMC to dig their gardens.

Sau’eha said their people desperately wanted the stockpile exported so they received money from their resources that have been harvested and to allow World Link to complete its commitments to their community.

Parliament regularises $7 million supplementary budget

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Minister Hurry Kuma

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PARLIAMENT passed the 2018 Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2019 yesterday to regularise the $7 million used by the government on services until December last year.

This is in accordance with section 50 and section 60 of the Public Finance and Management Act 2013, through contingency warrants and advance warrants.

Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma said from $7 million, $6 million was spent on contingency warrants and $1 million on advance warrants.

Kuma said from the $6 million contingency warrants, $905,000 was spent on National Parliament to cater for telephone bills and allowance for Members of Parliament during the Parliament sittings in late 2018.

He said $4.5 million was spent on Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services to cater for omission and objection period in preparation for the 2019 National General Elections.

Further to that, Kuma said $605, 102 was spent on Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology to purchase the delivery of food relief for communities affected by tropical cyclone Liua in Makira Ulawa and Isabel Province.

For the $1 million advance warrants, Kuma said it was spent on Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development.

He said it was a budget support funded by Australia Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and External Trade especially for secondary school infrastructure projects such as building of classrooms and dormitories.

In the meantime, Parliament will also regularise the one hundred and forty five million, two hundred and fifty one thousand and thirty three dollars ($145, 251, 033) in this sitting.

Cable goodwill paid out?

Written by
Mike Puia
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Office of the Prime Minister

By Mike Puia

IT appears the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) has made a goodwill payment to a group for landowners from Guadalcanal for the landing of the undersea internet cable on the foreshore of Honiara.

Efforts to confirm this payment, and the figure involved, with the OPMC all failed.

The payment is said to be hand delivered by the Attorney General, John Muria Junior.

Muria Jnr did not respond when this paper contacted him by email.

The payment was reportedly delivered in hard cash.

Reports reaching this paper revealed that this goodwill payment was done prior to the ground breaking ceremony at the cable’s landing station at SMI earlier this year.

The recipient of the payment and the involvement of the Attorney General have raised questions.

The group of landowners that received the payment are said to be landowners representing tribes in Tandai that own Honiara’s foreshore.

A leader of two tribes in Tandai that claimed to have documents to back their ownership of Honiara’s foreshore, Charles Keku, confirmed there were other tribes within Tandai that received the payment.

Keku informed this paper that the government has been backing and working closely with other tribes of Tandai.

He said these are the groups who received the goodwill payment and not their tribes.

The Ministry of Lands, Housing & Survey (MLHS) confirmed that Honiara’s foreshore below high water mark is all registered and are in private ownership.

The Chief Technical Adviser and Acting Commissioner of Lands, Alan McNeil, said the whole of Iron Bottom Sound next to Honiara, comprising more than 1,600 hectares of land covered by water is in private hands – apart from a small area around the port.

McNeil said none of it is owned by any tribe from Tandai.

The issue of ownership of Honiara’s foreshore is a matter currently before the High Court.

A recent election by the Tandai tribes to have Keku removed as paramount chief of the Tandai House of Chiefs is linked to this goodwill payout, according to Keku.

He said certain tribes within Tandai lobby other Tandai tribes to get rid of him in a move to cover-up this pay out.

Keku said the involvement of Muria Jnr is another issue.

It is not clear where the government took the money from to cater for this payout.

Keku said if the payment comes out from the Ministry Finance and Treasury then the Ministry has failed its part in verifying the payment.

If the payment was made outside the government payment process then there is a likelihood that it comes from the Solomon Islands Submarine Cable Company Limited (SISCC), a company that will own and operate the submarine cable service in the country.

It is understood Muria Jnr is one of the directors of this company. This has raised the question about his interest on this issue.

Keku insisted that the government should properly assess and find out the true owners of the site before committing a payment.

Australia opens up for Solomon Islands

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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1
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

AUSTRALIA is considering ‘further opening up its doors’ to Solomon Islanders, it is reported.

This is if the Solomon Islands government reconsiders its move to recognise Beijing over Taipei.

Sources tell Island Sun that Australian Prime Minister, Mr Scott Morrison, will make the announcement this week to his Solomon Islands counterpart, Mr Manasseh Sogavare.

Among this new package of privileges Solomon Islanders can now access from Australia is an easier admittance for permanent residency (PR) for Solomon Islanders.

However, by Solomon Islanders, it means any person who is born and raised in the Solomon Islands only.

Regular seasonal workers to Australia are also poised to get PR status easily should they wish to apply.

A special visa arrangement is also in the list, which sources say will involve removal of current stringent measures or requirements applicants have to satisfy.

“Special dispensation will be made to Solomon Islanders to easily obtain permanent residency in Australia,” sources tell Island Sun last night.

“This means more better medical and health care, which until now have only been enjoyed by the rich few and politicians in Solomon Islands, will be easily available for Solomon Islanders to come to Australia to get.

“Regular seasonal workers to Australia will also receive special dispensation to get PR in Australia.

“This also means retired health care service will be now available to Solomon Islanders.

“Also, for local business people of Solomon Islands, this will be the opportunity they have been waiting for to make easier and bigger investments in Australia,” sources say.

A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET), answering queries from the paper last night on condition of anonymity, says this is news which is yet to reach MFAET.

“This is news to me,” says the official.

“I can only confirm that we have not received any such information nor dialogue from Canberra, but I will check with the Minister tomorrow.”

Island Sun understands that Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele is currently in Taiwan, having left on Saturday (September 7) for a one-week trip.

Attempts to gauge comments from the Press Secretary to the Prime Minister were futile last night before this paper went to press.

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