Pacific news in brief for 16 May

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Solomon Islands - motions

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has suggested changes to how motions of no confidence in the country are moved.

Manele said there must be a balance between the right to move a motion of no-confidence, and protecting parliamentary processes from being abused.

Two motions of no confidence against his Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) have been moved within a year in office, but ultimately withdrawn.

SIBC reported Manele told parliament on Monday he will bring a paper to Cabinet to appoint a task force to do these reforms.

Palau - ocean

Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr has signed an executive order creating a working group to better protect Palau's ocean.

He has called it a "whole government approach in securing Palau's waters."

The Island Times reported the Coordinated Maritime Management Working Group brings together top officials from government agencies to respond more quickly and effectively to ocean-related threats.

These include illegal fishing, safety emergencies, or foreign intrusions in Palau's Exclusive Economic Zone.

The working group will be led jointly by the Bureau of Public Safety and the Bureau of Marine Transportation.

Under the order, the group will meet monthly at the Joint Operations Center to review incidents at sea - such as search and rescue operations or encounters with suspicious vessels - and will also develop procedures, run annual training exercises, and work with foreign partners and the private sector.

Cook Islands - culture

Cook Islands traditional leaders want cultural knowledge to be integrated into the teaching curriculum.

The House of Ariki has developed an education manifesto at a four-day workshop alongside the education ministry of and Conservation International.

It sets out recommendations for education to be built on indigenous knowledge.

Conservation International spokesperson Schannel van Dijken said that many countries in the region have not been teaching their own history and culture.

"Some of the core recommendations from that coming out, that's articulated in that document, is making Cook Islands Māori language instruction compulsory from preschool through to secondary levels; integrating traditional knowledge and cultural practices throughout the curriculum."

Australia/Pacific - relations

Pat Conroy has retained his position in Cabinet following Tuesday's ministerial changes announced by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Conroy will continue as Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs.

In a statement, he said he will continue to build positive relations with the Pacific family as part of the Albanese Government's commitment to supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous future for Australia and our region.

Conroy said defence spending under the Albanese government had reached record levels, and he would continue to focus on strengthening the Australian Defence Force and local defence manufacturing.