Temaru made the call in an interview with a Sunday newspaper after his statement last week that the French-sponsored discussions about overseas territories should have as an outcome a path to independence.
PNG’s health level one of the lowest
PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) — The current health system in Papua New Guinea is not functioning well and remains one of the lowest levels in the South Pacific region, reports The National.
PNG’s Health Minister Sasa Zibe revealed this when opening the 19th National Health Conference in Goroka, Eastern Highlands province.
“Our health service delivery system is failing to achieve the desired outcomes and as a result majority of our people suffer from inadequate health care and service,” he said.
SYDNEY (Pacnews) — Australia West Papua Association has written to the Pacific Islands Forum leaders who are meeting in Cairns in August, urging them to discus the deteriorating situation in West Papua.
Amnesty International reported that in West Papua, “Local community leaders were intimidated and threatened by the military and police. There were reports of torture and other ill-treatment, excessive use of force and extra judicial executions by security forces.”
Hundreds of children not at school
WELLINGTON (Pacnews) — A select committee investigating New Zealand’s relationship with Pacific Island countries has been told that hundreds of Pacific children don’t go to school because their parents are overstayers, reports Radio New Zealand International.
Ben Taufua from the Pacific Island School Trustees Association said granting overstayers amnesty might help.
He said the committee must deal with immigration issues affecting people from countries such as Samoa and Tonga because their children are suffering.
