Pacific Beat

Cyclone Tino swept through Fiji and Tonga over the weekend bringing with it destructive winds and flash floods. But those on the ground are largely breathing a sigh of relief, with no deaths recorded and no major damage. But there is concern now that the weaker cyclones could lead to some complacency amongst some in the community.

Three months on from its diplomatic switch from Taiwan to China, Kiribati's tourism sector is banking on its new "approved destination status" as a way to benefit from the country's new relationship with Beijing.

On the program: Preparations are underway in Fiji and Tonga as Cyclone Tino heads towards them, with one forecaster expecting it could strengthen to a Category three storm this weekend, and the head of a national fundraising drive in PNG for victims of Australia's bushfires declares that every kina raised will be properly and publicly accounted for.

A Palauan senator who's been in Australia this week for an Asia Pacific forum, says she's been buoyed by what she believes is a change in attitude to the problem of climate change. But the Cook Islands' opposition leader, who's also been in the country, remains to be convinced.

A major trade union says seasonal workers from the Pacific have the same level of protection as Australian workers when it comes to emergencies, as the bushfire seasons continues.

Kava drinkers from Australia's Pacific community say the first month of eased import restrictions, that allow them to bring in double the amount of kava for their personal use, has been well-received. But one Vanuatu exporter is agitating to see Australia begin its commercial import trial, announced last year.

On the program: In the wake of an explosive documentary alleging corruption and abuse in PNG's logging industry, a local member of parliament says authorities will investigate the companies involved, and with hundreds of Pacific islanders living and working on farms in remote Australia, what's being done to protect them this catastrophic bushfire season?

In the wake of an explosive documentary alleging corruption and abuse in PNG's logging industry, local member of parliament Elias Kapavore says authorities will investigate the companies involved.

On the program: Concerns raised that proposed changes to Bougainville's constitution could lead to "dictatorship and suppression" and the youth of change: why young people in Solomon Islands are rallying behind Australia in its time of need.

On the program: PNG's Prime Minister flags more international duties for PNG's defence force, as he farewelled a contingent of 100 PNG defence force personnel to help with Australia's bushfire recovery efforts, and why alarm bells are being rung about a blacksand mining project in Fiji, that critics say has taken place without proper community input.