Pacific Beat

As the Papua New Guinea election staggers towards the finish line, we hear from Paul Barker at PNG's Institute of National Affairs about today's deadline for the return of writs and what happens next and calls for an inquiry into the awarding of a 23 million Australian dollar contract to a pharmaceutical company in PNG.

Australian concern over the Chinese firm laying the Solomon islands internet cable. Bitter disappointment as the next PNG parliament looks to have no women members at all.

Papua New Guinea's incumbent prime minister Peter O'Neill is claiming he has the numbers to form the new government, even though with the deadline for writs to be declared just 24 hours away. And, the Asian Development Bank warns that the Pacific is lagging well behind the rest of the world in the drive for internet connectivity.

It looks like there will be no women MPs in the next PNG Parliament, as former minister Delilah Gore loses her seat by fewer than 200 votes and in cricket, star all rounder Patrick Matautaava is chosen for Vanuatu's tour of South Africa next month, but will it be his last?

We speak to opposition leader Don Polye about the weekend violence in his electorate. How to make swimming lessons more popular in the Pacific.

The deaths of two policemen during a firefight between supporters of rival candidates in Wabag the latest violence to mar the Papua New Guinea national election. And, calls for a commission of enquiry into Papua New Guinea's national election against a background of continuing chaos and delayed results.

Tensions flare in Papua New Guinea's Enga province after clashes between rival candidates' supporters see several killed, including two policemen. Calls for the Samoan community to change their approach to teenage pregnancy after a string of tragic incidents.

The Media Council says there's been a disturbing push to restrict freedom of speech during PNG's national election and questions over the multi-million kina contract to supply drugs for Papua New Guinea's health system for the next year.

Fears that Papua New Guinea's AIDS epidemic is escalating. Calls for a commission of inquiry into PNG's election