Pacific Beat

A Human rights group questions moves by Fiji police to stop a sugar industry meeting. The organisation supporting victims of sorcery related violence in PNG says the case of a victim granted refugee status in Australia won't set a precedence. A new report details the struggles faced by gay refugees and asylum seekers.

Nauru's government passes amendments to passport laws allowing wider grounds to cancel passports and a promising young rugby player from the Fijian island of Ovalau on the brink of making his international debut, having been called into the Wallabies' squad for test matches against South Africa and Argentina.

We meet rape victim Claire McFarlane who is crossing the Pacific as part of a five year odyssey to raise awareness about sexual assault and the support services that are needed. And, gold medal winning rugby sevens player Vatemo Ravouvou arrives in Australia from Fiji ahead of his debut in the National Rugby Championship this weekend.

A call for Australia to do more to help Pacific Island countries deal with the impacts of climate change. And, a self-described "cheesey teen drama" set in Port Moresby to screen there this week.

Three men plead guilty to kidnapping a Vanuatu tourism worker, after she posted comments on social media about the conduct of transport workers and a rare locally produced film Lukim Yu set to premiere in Port Moresby.

A man who was attacked during last weekend's rugby league brawl in PNG dies. The lawyer for a Fijian man allegedly tortured by police says he's skeptical of efforts to investigate the crime. A delegation of Danish MPs is leaving Australia today, after unsuccessfully trying to visit the immigration detention centre on Nauru.

Pacific Island leaders call for closer ties to the US. And, cricket legends in town for the annual 20/20 Big Bash match in Port Moresby.

Landowners in PNG win a court battle to overturn controversial SABL leases. Sunrice executives head to PNG to fight a government decision to impose an import quota. Trade between China and the Pacific almost doubles over the past year.

Exports to one of Australia's biggest rice markets are at risk, because of a change of government policy in Papua New Guinea. Across the Pacific debate continues on the pros and cons of the proposed PACER Plus Trade deal with Australia and New Zealand.

The Bougainville government accuses the PNG Prime Minister of undermining its case for independence, as both sides continue to tussle over the ownership of the Panguna copper mine. Australia accused of exploiting East Timor as the bitter dispute over maritime boundaries goes to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague.