Pacific Beat

A former attorney general in PNG criticises what he says is the government's failure to plan for the national election. Warnings that a short-term tax break in Fiji might cause problems in the future.

The Maroons topple the Blues yet again to take out the State Of Origin series for the 11th time in 12 years, we get reaction from rugby league crazy PNG. And, Fiji's representative in this year's Miss World competition tells how she plans to use the profile the pageant will give her to spread the word about her faith.

Kundiawa General Hospital in Simbu province cuts services after months of being starved of funds from the PNG government. And, Papua New Guinea's National Court gives Immigration authorities two weeks to organise the return of a New Zealand missionary who was deported last month.

Calls for an investigation into a spate of deaths of fisheries observers in the pacific. Vanuatu set to hold a Pacific Health Conference that will see professionals from throughout the region share skills and experiences.

From Solomon Islands, the Premier of Guadalcanal Anthony Veke defends his proposal for a total ban on the sale of alcohol outside the capital Honiara after concerns about the rise in the number of young people being a public nuisance. And, authorities have vowed to crack down on the sale of alcohol after a string of incidents in the capital Port Vila.

Kundiawa General Hospital in Papua New Guinea's Simbu province forced to cut services as funds dry up. The former US vice president Al Gore commends Austalia's stance on the Paris Climate deal

As more than 120 countries back an international treaty to ban nuclear weapons, we reflect on the historical impact of nuclear weapons testing on Pacific Island nations. And, we hear from Cricket Papua New Guinea's now former coach Dipak Patel after his unexpected departure from the job.

Vanuatu looks to the future with a nod to the past voting presbyterian pastor, Talis Obed Moses, to follow the late Baldwin Lonsdale as the country's next president. And, at the end of NAIDOC week that celebrates indigenous Australians, we hear from Gina Williams, who learned her language as an adult and is now using it in her songwriting.

Former Melbourne Homicide Squad Detective Senior Sergeant Charlie Bezzina says foulplay can't be ruled out in the disappearance of six Pacific fisheries observers in recent years. Counting is finally underway in Port Moresby for Papua New Guinea's national elections.

Just three days of voting left to go in Papua New Guinea's general election and counting for National Capital District constituencies starts today. And, Australia accused of hypocrisy by spending millions supporting Fiji's presidency of the COP 23 Climate Summit, while continuing to subsidise the coal and fossil fuels industries.