Political Reviews

The Region in Review: International Issues and Events, 2013 nic maclellan

Melanesia in Review: Issues and Events, 2013 david chappell, jon fraenkel, gordon leua nanau, howard van trease, muridan s widjojo

The Contemporary Pacic, Volume 26, Number 2, 459–552 © 2014 by University of Hawai‘i Press

459 524 the contemporary pacific • 26:2 (2014) nership. Canberra: ramsi. http://www tions of corruption within the govern- .ramsi.org/Media/docs/Rebuilding-a ment increased to unprecedented levels -Nation-RAMSI-EBook-185ca1c0-4b11 related to misuse of funds, shady land -4ea0-86ac-eb0110e15b66-0.pdf [accessed deals, questionable dismissals of public 31 March 2014] service officials, and the unexplained sibc, Solomon Islands Broadcasting death of the minister of infrastruc- Corporation. Daily Internet news service, ture and public utilities, Harry Iauko, Honiara. www.sibconline.com.sb rumored to be related to the arrival sig, Solomon Islands Government. 1984. in harbor of a mysterious The College of Higher Education Act, super-luxury yacht, the Phocea, and 1984. No. 2 of 1984. Honiara: National its detention by the government due to Parliament of Solomon Islands. fraudulent ownership documentation. ———. 2011. The Mines and Minerals One of the hottest issues dur- (Royalties) Regulations 2011. Honiara: ing 2011, which was not completely National Parliament of Solomon Islands. resolved by the end of that year, was ———. 2012. Solomon Islands National ratification of ’s bid to join University Bill 2012. No. 6 of 2012. the World Trade Organization (wto). Honiara: National Parliament of Solomon The government introduced a bill in Islands. Parliament in December and, despite opposition by most of the major non- SS, Solomon Star. Daily newspaper, Honi- ara. Online at www.solomonstarnews.com governmental organizations such as the Malvatumauri (National Council sto, Solomon Times Online. Daily of Chiefs), Chamber of Commerce, Internet news service, Honiara. Vanuatu Christian Council, and Vanu- www.solomontimes.com atu National Workers Union, it passed USP Beat. University of the South Pacific by a vote of 25 in favor, 20 against news magazine. Monthly. Suva. (including that of Minister of Justice ), and one abstention (Van Trease 2012). The bill, however, remained unsigned by the president, Vanuatu His Excellency Iolu Johnson Abbil, This analysis covers a two-year who had gone overseas for health period—2012 and 2013—that encom- reasons as the year ended. The act- passes national elections in late 2012 ing president (the deputy speaker of and the eventual change of govern- Parliament) explained that he could ment the following year. As 2012 not sign the bill, as the president had began, however, moves by the Opposi- left instructions that he would not tion, led by , to bring assent to wto ratification if it was down the Kilman-led government had unconstitutional, which had yet to be all but ceased, while rivalry within and determined (VDP, 17 Jan 2012). between political parties increased as According to the Vanuatu Constitu- individual politicians sought to posi- tion, “when a bill has been passed by tion themselves in anticipation of the Parliament it shall be presented to the national election, which was expected President of the Republic who shall in October. At the same time, allega- assent to it within 2 weeks.” Other- political reviews • melanesia 525 wise, if the president considers that the While it took until June 2012 for bill may be unconstitutional, “he shall the issue of Vanuatu’s membership in refer it to the Supreme Court for its the World Trade Organization to be opinion. The bill shall not be promul- completely resolved, there had been a gated if the Supreme Court considers significant political casualty in Janu- it inconsistent with a provision of the ary following the vote in Parliament Constitution” (chapter 4, article 16 the previous December. Having voted [3] and [4]). On his return to Vanuatu against the bill, Ralph Regenvanu in mid-January, however, the presi- was terminated as minister for jus- dent did not act on the bill, and the tice by Prime Minister Kilman and government was forced to bring a replaced by , member constitutional case against him. In of a new breakaway group from the his judgment, Chief Justice Vincent Union of Moderate Parties (ump) who Lunabek noted that the president had called themselves the ump for Change not assented to the bill, nor had he (umpc). In his termination letter, referred a case to the Supreme Court Kilman criticized Regenvanu for his in accordance with article 16 (3) and “continued actions and support for (4) of the constitution. In response to issues that have been contradictory the government’s case, the president to the collective policy decisions of expressed his concern about what he the Council of Ministers . . . [which] viewed as the “considerable lack of raised serious questions of loyalty consultation, as expressed by the pub- within the Council and members of lic before the bill was passed by Parlia- the government coalition” (VDP, 17 ment.” The president was expressing Jan, 18 Jan 2012). his disapproval of the bill rather than Regenvanu expressed disappoint- seeking a judgment on its constitution- ment at his termination in a long ality—in effect, posing the question interview reported in the Vanuatu of “whether or not the president can Daily Post, describing how he had refuse to assent to a bill.” The chief supported Kilman continually since justice, however, made it clear in his the 2008 election and by joining judgment that under the constitution the coalition in December 2010. He the president did not have the power agreed that he had not supported to refuse to sign a bill—only to refer the wto bill, nor the controversial a constitutional question about the appointment of Thi Tam Goiset, bill to the Supreme Court within two member of the well-known Dinh weeks of the bill having been pre- family, the previous December as sented to him. The president’s inaction roving ambassador to Russia (VDP, 3 constituted a “failure of omission” on Jan 2013). Likewise, he pointed out his part under the constitution, and he that he had opposed and was the only was, therefore, “invited to assent to member of Parliament (mp) to vote the Bill for the Protocol on the Acces- against the government bill to increase sion of Vanuatu (Ratification) Act No. salaries and benefits of politicians and 19 of 2011 by signing the copies of the had publicly expressed his opposition Bill” (Supreme Court 2012; VDP, 23 to the purchase of new vehicles for June 2012). several ministers. At the same time, 526 the contemporary pacific • 26:2 (2014)

Regenvanu described the significant must not interfere in each other’s results he had achieved while heading internal affairs. Natapei declared three different ministries during the in February 2012 that any future previous year (Ni-Vanuatu business government of which the VP was a development, lands, and justice). On part would review the agreement (VDP, the positive side, Regenvanu noted 3 Feb 2012). that he was now free to practice the Despite strong protest from various policy that he had espoused while elements of the community, Kilman campaigning in the 2008 election: “to pressed on with his new strategy to provide a role model for good leader- engage with Indonesia. In May, he met ship as an mp and a national leader” the Indonesian ambassador to Vanu- and to focus on preparing the candi- atu in Port Vila to discuss possible dates of his Graon mo Jastis Pati (gjp, police and paramilitary training, and land and justice party) to contest the the next day an Indonesian military national elections at the end of 2012 plane arrived loaded with promised (VDP, 19 Jan 2012). aid, including computers, tractors, While Vanuatu’s membership in and other vehicles. That afternoon, a the World Trade Organization was peaceful demonstration at the airport finally resolved and did not feature by pro–West Papuan youths resulted prominently in the coming election in police arrests, to the dismay of debate, several other issues from the many Ni-Vanuatu, who viewed sup- past spilled over into 2012. The status port for West Papuan independence of West Papua continued to concern as an established policy of the govern- many Ni-Vanuatu—representatives of ment. A spokesman for the Kilman the Free West Papua movement have government responded by saying that had an office in Vanuatu since the after thirty years of failing to change early 1980s. Prime Minister Kilman’s the situation it was time for Vanuatu decision in April 2011 to side with to try a new strategy of engagement Fiji’s strongman, Frank Bainimarama, with Indonesia (VDP, 15–19 May to support granting observer status to 2013). As the election approached, Indonesia in the Melanesian Spear- there were suspicions that Indonesia head Group (msg) was very contro- was funneling money into Vanuatu to versial and elicited numerous articles support particular politicians (VDP, 28 and letters to the editor condemning Sept 2012). the move as a betrayal of Vanuatu’s The politics of land in Vanuatu is Melanesian brothers and sisters in another issue that never seems to be West Papua (Van Trease 2012, 428). resolved. Numerous land disputes The Kilman government had also were reported in the daily press during negotiated a Development Coopera- 2012, usually about custom ownership tion Agreement with Indonesia that related to proposed leasing to foreign concerned the leader of the Vanua‘aku investors. The ongoing problem is Pati (vp), Edward Natapei, because that, under Vanuatu law, the minister it recognized Indonesian sovereignty of lands had been given the right to over West Papua and stated specifi- grant a lease in any cases in which cally that the two signatory countries land was disputed, the proceeds to be political reviews • melanesia 527 held in trust until the rightful custom persisted, reaching a new level during owner(s) could be determined. It is not the last few weeks before the election uncommon for disputes to be invented when Minister of Lands Steven Kal- when an investor is unable to persuade sakau instructed the director of lands Ni-Vanuatu landowners to grant a to allocate state land in Luganville and lease (VDP, 11 Jan, 24 Feb, 4 July Port Vila to staff in the Department of 2012). Calls to take away the minis- Lands at grossly reduced values (VDP, ter’s power to grant leases under such 12 Sept, 21 Sept 2012). The Land circumstances have been made for a Management and Planning Commit- number of years—this was one of the tee announced in early October that it twenty-one resolutions of the Vanuatu had approved forty urban land leases Lands Summit, held in 2006—but no for Lands officers in Luganville, many government since that time has had of which involved existing leases that the courage or inclination to act, and, the Department of Lands had canceled as a result, widespread dissatisfaction due to the failure of lessees to pay continues among Ni-Vanuatu land- their land taxes (VDP, 17 Oct, 19 Oct owners and chiefly authorities (Malva- 2012). With the election only a few tumauri 2006). days away and the outcome uncertain, Of even greater concern during the minister of lands urged the acting 2012 was the increasing practice of the director of lands to “organize this as minister of lands to approve the sale a priority and forward all certificates of state land under value and without and leases to me for approval” (VDP, tender (VDP, 31 March, 4 April 2012). 24 Oct 2012). The usual sequence of events was for Relations between Vanuatu and the land to be sold to a Ni-Vanuatu Australia took a surprising turn for friend or associate at a low price, who the worse in late April 2012, when then sold it on to a waiting buyer at Australian Federal Police (afp) a much increased price, pocketing the arrested Clarence Marae, the private profit and, it is commonly believed, secretary in the Prime Minister’s sharing it with the minister concerned Office, at Sydney Airport as he tran- (VDP, 2 April 2012). This practice has sited with the prime ministerial delega- been occurring for years and led to tion, who were on a trip to Israel. a Council of Ministers’ decision in According to Australian authorities, 2010, when Natapei was prime min- he was arrested over a matter that had ister, declaring “that there will be no occurred ten years earlier in which he, more sale of state owned land assets,” along with Australian nationals oper- but the practice continued unabated ating in Vanuatu, was alleged to have under the Kilman government and is been involved in activities to defraud illustrative of the increase in the level the Commonwealth and for which of corruption experienced in Vanuatu a warrant of arrest had been issued. (VDP, 13 April 2012). Marae was subsequently transferred to Although the Prime Minister’s Brisbane, charged with one count of Office also announced in June 2012 conspiracy to defraud the Common- that it would no longer tolerate wealth, and confined to jail without the sale of state assets, the practice bail. 528 the contemporary pacific • 26:2 (2014)

On his return to Vanuatu, Prime “highly suspicious of being involved in Minister Kilman protested at the way smuggling high powered arms, money in which the incident had occurred laundering and breaching related laws and demanded an apology from of maritime borders” (VDP, 25 July Australia. The prime minister’s party 2012). A court warrant was issued had been shuffled into the immigra- and a search of the yacht discov- tion hall instead of the vip lounge, as ered numerous documents related to is the normal procedure, and at that bilateral arrangements and others with moment, the afp arrested Marae. forged signatures, which were confis- Reactions in Vanuatu were mixed. cated. “A substance in a plastic bag Some people saw the incident as that may be opium” was also discov- showing disrespect for Vanuatu’s ered (VDP, 28 July 2012). prime minister, while others were less On board the yacht were sixteen critical. The Movement crew members, including a Samoan demanded that the government expel and a Tongan who in March 2012 afp personnel working in Vanuatu as had been involved in a case related to part of the Australian Government’s their obtaining Vanuatu citizenship by Police Force Strengthening Project. In false and misleading statements. Both contrast, Edward Natapei (president men were arrested and subsequently of the vp and leader of the Opposi- appeared in court. Tongan police also tion) noted that the afp had merely became involved in the investigation been executing a court-sanctioned when it was revealed that the Phocea warrant of arrest, and he criticized the had stopped over in Tonga on its prime minister for engaging someone way to Vanuatu from Europe via the who had, indeed, previously been Panama Canal and that cabinet mem- convicted for misconduct by Vanu- bers had been entertained on board. atu courts. However, with no official Internet investigations also found sus- apology forthcoming, on 9 May 2012, picious changes in the yacht’s registra- Kilman ordered the afp to leave Vanu- tion and discovered that the yacht had atu within twenty-four hours (VDP, been registered in Vanuatu in 2005 as 1–11 May 2012). a diplomatic yacht of Vanuatu owned As it turned out, the decision to by Anh Quan Saken, who became expel the afp worked to Vanuatu’s a citizen in 2012 and was alleged significant disadvantage by depriv- to have been appointed as Vanuatu ing local police authorities of vital consul to Vietnam (VDP, 24, 25, 26, 30 support in dealing with a criminal July 2012). incident involving suspicious inter- It came as a surprise when the national players. On 22 July 2012, police investigation revealed that the twenty police officers took part in a Phocea had actually been moored for joint operation with Customs, Immi- several days outside the harbor near a gration, and Quarantine officers to small resort without clearing customs board the Phocea, a mega yacht that and immigration and that at least two had recently arrived in Vila harbor. government ministers and possibly After checking Internet sources, police three other members of Parliament officials reported that the yacht was had been on board. Photographs of political reviews • melanesia 529 the ministers found on board—Min- to appear in court to face charges with ister of Foreign Affairs Alfred Carlot the captain, but he did not return to and Minister of Education Marcel- Vanuatu to do so. Indeed, there were lino Pipite—confirmed this (VDP, 27 many questions regarding Saken’s true July 2012). They were subsequently identity and his relationship with Min- charged with and pleaded not guilty ister of Foreign Affairs Alfred Carlot. to the offence of “boarding before a In December 2011, Carlot had customs officer—contrary to section appointed longtime resident of ques- 16 (1) cap257” (VDP, 24 Oct 2012). tionable character, Thi Tam Goiset, as The case had not been heard even by Vanuatu’s roving ambassador to Rus- the end of 2013. sia and other eastern European coun- The police investigation had begun tries (VDP, 3 Dec 2011). She has been to make significant progress in raising involved in politics for decades and questions, if not finding out concrete has a reputation for shady activities, answers, about the circumstances having been arrested in New Cale- surrounding the Phocea when it was donia several years ago while using a reported that Minister of Internal diplomatic passport with no official Affairs George Wells had decided to status and in possession of a number suspend the head of the Fraud Unit, of unexplained passports and vt5 mil- Andrew Kalman, who was investi- lion (One US dollar is approximately gating the Phocea affair. Initially, no 93.5 Vanuatu vatu [vt]). Under her reasons were given for the suspension, contract, Goiset was not entitled to except that Kalman was “jeopardiz- any remuneration for services rendered ing the case,” but subsequently he but would be entitled to 15 percent of was accused of causing delays in the any money granted to the government investigation and selling information. of Vanuatu as a result of her represen- Kalman denied all the allegations and tations to other foreign government was preparing to challenge them in agencies. The Daily Post noted that it court (VDP, 1 Aug, 8 Aug 2012). was ironic that Goiset’s contract came Over the next two months, the to light physically (a copy was printed captain and crew of the Phocea were on the front page of the newspaper) prevented from leaving Vanuatu while after Prime Minister Kilman “reiter- cases were prepared against them ated his government’s stand against for breaching customs and immigra- corruption”; the newspaper also noted tion regulations related to their delay that Goiset was linked to the deci- in seeking clearance when they first sion of Carlot and Kilman in 2011 to arrived in Port Vila. Most were given recognize the pro-Russian, breakaway relatively modest fines and eventually republic of Abkhazia (VDP, 3 Jan allowed to depart the country. The cir- 2012). cumstances remain unclear, however, The prime minister’s first secre- how the yacht’s owner, Anh Quan tary, Richard Kaltongga, produced Saken, was able to board a plane documents alleging that the minister within three days of the arrival of the of foreign affairs had also appointed Phocea. Clearly, someone in authority Saken as ambassador-at-large to Peru, facilitated his departure. He was called Colombia, and the United States as 530 the contemporary pacific • 26:2 (2014) well as Vanuatu commissioner of a deed of release payment with the trade, business development, and director of a local stationery store, for culture for Central America and which he had cabinet approval, for Panama. Carlot denied the accusa- the payment of vt17 million, despite tions, claiming that the documents the fact that the State Law Office had were forged, but he did confirm that advised that there was nothing to pay, Saken had made significant financial as the store’s claim had been struck contributions to the running of the down by the Supreme Court several Vanuatu embassy in Brussels. He also years earlier. The money was report- recommended that Goiset be removed edly drawn out of funds earmarked as Vanuatu’s roving ambassador under the Teaching Services Com- to Russia, but the Prime Minister’s mission for outstanding payments Office insisted she remain (VDP, 29 to teachers (VDP, 8 June 2012). By Sept 2012). Goiset’s involvement October, the Daily Post reported in with Saken and the Phocea remained front-page headlines that the Ministry mysterious at this point, as did the of Education had run out of money, true nature of her relationship with attributing the situation to the non- members of the Kilman government. budgeted vt17 million that had been By October, the Phocea had become a taken out of operating funds, result- permanent feature in the harbor, and ing in teachers not being paid and the affair began to fade somewhat overseas students on scholarships not from public view as attention shifted getting their stipends (VDP, 18 Oct to the national elections scheduled 2012). for the end of the month. The yacht Another concern among some had been impounded by the Vanuatu members of the public, which was government and would remain so well attributed to policies of the govern- into 2013. ment, was the increasing number The Kilman government was of Chinese workers being allowed significantly damaged by the way into the country. They were mostly it handled the Phocea affair and by employed on construction sites, an its involvement in what seemed to area of employment that is reserved be potentially criminal activities. for local people, and thus appeared to Indeed, the government had devel- be taking jobs away from Ni-Vanuatu. oped the reputation of being soft The government seemed to ignore on corruption, whether through the the problem, and there was suspicion actions of certain of its own ministers that special favors were being given or through its lackluster approach to certain local contractors to allow to dealing with embedded corrup- them to recruit foreign workers (VDP, tion and incompetence in the public 7 Jan, 28 Jan 2012). Likewise, worries service—a problem, in fact, that has surfaced in the country when the been neglected for years by previ- government reported that it had estab- ous Vanuatu governments. The land lished a scheme in Hong Kong to sell issue has already been mentioned, but permanent resident visas to wealthy there were others. In June, Minister Chinese as a source of government of Education Marcellino Pipite signed revenue and potential investment, with political reviews • melanesia 531 nearly seven hundred having already some dating back months or years. In been sold by the end of the year (VDP, January 2012, tensions that had been 27 Oct 2012). This is clearly a difficult building within the ump since the issue for the government to deal with, previous December between longtime as Chinese-Vanuatu relations go back leader from Santo and to independence, and the People’s a younger rival, Charlot Salwai from Republic of China is a generous aid Pentecost, began to take form. Sal- donor. wai announced that a group within Of particular concern has been the party who supported him would the government’s practice of using be called UMP for Change (umpc). its power to dismiss officials for no Evidence of the split became obvious apparent reason, rather than using in the following months as individuals established Public Service procedures. declared which group they identified In addition to the dismissal of the with, culminating in February with head of the Fraud Unit investigating two party congresses competing for the Phocea, a series of senior police participants and the Vohor-led faction officers were dismissed without clear officially expelling the rebels (VDP, 17 reasons being given. For example, Feb, 29 Feb 2012). Following a court there has never been an adequate case by the Vohor faction, which was explanation why Police Commis- subsequently appealed and disallowed, sioner Joshua Bong was “told” to take the Supreme Court ruled that Salwai’s leave in May and was replaced by group could not use the ump or umpc Acting Police Commissioner Arthur name to identify themselves in the Coulton (VDP, 22 May 2012). The coming election (VDP, 28 Aug 2012). same applies to the suspension of the As a result, Salwai renamed the umpc senior commander south the following as the Reunification of Movement for month—the minister of internal affairs Change (rmc). gave no explanation in response to The had inquiries (VDP, 27 June 2012). Even also experienced a power struggle in more confusing was the imprisonment 2011, with Alfred Carlot leading a of several senior police officers in breakaway group from his uncle, the late May for “suspicion of inciting a party’s founder, Maxime Carlot Kor- mutiny”—no explanation given—and man. Differences continued between Bong’s reinstatement as police com- Marcellino Pipite and Korman, who missioner pending a court challenge attempted to expel Pipite from the (VDP, 2 Oct 2012). Within a few days, party, but this was ruled null and void the Supreme Court struck down the in a ruling by the appeals court (VDP, mutiny charges, ten other senior police 12 May 2012). Pipite was subse- officers were suspended, and Bong quently elected president of the Vanu- was again terminated as chief of police atu Republican Party (vrp), which (VDP, 8 Oct 2012). was confirmed after a court challenge Several major political parties (VDP, 30 June, 21 Sept 2012). The faced severe problems in the months effect of this was to sideline Korman, leading up to the election, mostly who responded by establishing his related to individual power struggles, own Vanuatu Democratic Party (VDP, 532 the contemporary pacific • 26:2 (2014)

24 Sept 2012)—the second time in his headed by Moana Carcasses, and political career that he had been forced the National United Party headed by to take this action. He also made Ham Lini—had been negotiating for the decision to run as a candidate in support throughout the country, each the Rural constituency rather claiming to have convinced groups than continue to challenge for one of from different islands to switch alle- the six Port Vila seats, which he had giance in their favor. Ralph Regenvanu held since he first entered Parliament traveled around the country hold- in 1979. One positive development ing awareness sessions in an attempt for Korman was the decision by the to broaden recognition of the gjp. Kilman government to seek his rein- He was its only elected member of statement in Parliament. He had been Parliament, representing the Port Vila stripped of his parliamentary privi- constituency. Two former political leges eleven months earlier after being strongmen who had been defeated in found in contempt of Parliament in earlier elections also decided to run 2011 due to unconstitutional rulings again: Barak Sope continued to lead he had made as Speaker (VDP, 28 Aug his own Melanesian Progressive Party 2012). (mpp), and Willie Jimmy founded a One of the most significant dis- new party, the Liberal Democratic putes—the attempt by Tanna mp Party. The Nagriamel Movement, Harry Iauko to replace Edward which dates back to independence, Natapei as leader of the Vanua‘aku also expected to field more candidates. Pati—was resolved barely two weeks An interesting addition to the before the election. The dispute political alignment was a new party focused on recognition of two com- calling itself the Presidential Party. Its peting party congresses held in 2010 founders, who included several former on the island of Tongoa—the Iauko presidents of the Republic of Vanu- faction at Lumbukuti village and the atu—, Kalkot Natapei faction at Panita village— Matas Kelekele, Jean Marie Léyé, both of which elected executives. and Father John Bani—believed that Following several last-minute appeals, the way for Vanuatu to overcome the the court ruled in favor of the Panita political instability that it had been congress and Edward Natapei. This experiencing since the early 1990s was meant that Iauko would have to find to replace the Westminster model with another name for his group by the a presidential system patterned on that time of the election, if he chose to of the United States. They and their contest separately (VDP, 10 Oct 2012). supporters attracted a lot of publicity Iauko appealed but was turned down over the four years since the previous at the last minute. As a result, he went election in 2008, and in 2012 they into the election under the name “the established the Presidential Party as Iauko Group.” a means of promoting their ideas and During 2012, most of the other bringing about change (VDP, 3 May, major parties—eg, the Peoples Pro- 21 Aug 2012). While the problem of gressive Party headed by Prime Minis- political instability is indeed very real, ter Kilman, the the idea of changing the voting system political reviews • melanesia 533 did not seem to win over many voters. Office, Kilman owed Value Added Tax Most people understood their propos- and rents amounting to vt13 million als and would have seen changing (VDP, 12 Oct 2012). The following the voting system as far too radical a day, the prime minister’s first political solution. The Presidential Party got advisor, Richard Kaltongga, denied slightly fewer than three thousand the existence of the debt and threat- votes in the national election—a mere ened the media with “stringent legal 2 percent of the total (Vanuatu Gov- controls” to ensure ethical reporting ernment 2012). (VDP, 13 Oct, 16 Oct 2012). Within The election was scheduled for 30 a few days, the Council of Minis- October 2012, with the campaign set ters decided to remove the principal to run from 10 to 27 October, but due electoral officer, Lawson Samuel, and to the high interest nationally, cam- replaced him with the commissioner paigning and recruiting of supporters of labor because of alleged “complica- had been going on unofficially for tions faced by candidates who submit- months. Preparations by the Electoral ted their names,” which included the Office began earlier in the year with prime minister (VDP, 19 Oct 2012). a voter-awareness program, while the Kilman was allowed to contest the task of updating the electoral roll had election and won, but newly elected been going on regularly at designated mp Willie Jimmy instituted an appeal times throughout the year. in the Supreme Court to clarify A major controversy occurred whether the prime minister had in fact in mid-October, when the Electoral cleared the debt (VDP, 9 Nov 2012). Office published its first list of names The court did not make a ruling until of candidates who had qualified to February, quashing the petition (VDP, 9 stand for the election, that is, those Feb 2013). who had met the requirements as There were a few minor incidents specified under the law in the Repre- at polling stations, but the voting sentation of the People Act (Vanuatu and counting went off without major Sessional Legislation 2006): Vanuatu incident. Nevertheless, a number of citizenship, minimum twenty-five political leaders labeled the election years of age, not disqualified from vot- as the “worst in history” due to many ing, not currently imprisoned or under irregularities in voting—in particular, a suspended sentence not yet ended, inaccuracies in the electoral roll (eg, and not in bankruptcy. Among those missing names) and alleged fraud not qualified was the prime minister, relating to proxy voting. In addi- , who had fallen victim tion, there were alleged widespread to a new requirement, added to the attempts to bribe voters during the act in 2007, that an individual would campaign period and promises of cash be disqualified as a candidate if he to newly elected members of Parlia- or she was “in default of payment of ment during the government forma- any rates, charges or other debts due tion period (VDP, 10 Nov 2012). to the Government or Government The problem with the electoral roll agency” (Vanuatu Sessional Legisla- is that it is very difficult to maintain in tion 2007). According to the Electoral its present form. Updating is done by 534 the contemporary pacific • 26:2 (2014) electoral and provincial administrative the 2012 election has led the govern- officers traveling around the islands ment to seek development assistance and through the neighborhoods of to introduce a biometric voting system Port Vila and Luganville, interview- involving photograph and thumb- ing individuals and family members. prints before the next anticipated There is no automatic way to remove election in 2016. the names of people who are deceased The 2012 election continued several or to easily amend the registration of trends of previous elections. Beginning people who have changed residence— in the 1990s, the number of parties an increasing problem, as the move- and candidates contesting elections ment of people in search of employ- has been steadily increasing, splitting ment is on the rise. According to the the vote to the degree that no single 2009 national census, Vanuatu’s total party has been able to win a majority population was 234,023, of which of the seats in Parliament. In 1979, 143,050 were age eighteen years or there were 14 parties and 69 candi- older. At the same time, the official dates, compared to 37 parties and 345 count of total registered voters was candidates in 2012. The Vanua‘aku 192,632—nearly 50,000 more than Pati was able to form majority govern- possible, given the census data (Vanu- ments following the 1979, 1983, and atu National Statistics Office 2009). 1987 elections, but when the party The Daily Post ran a story with these split in 1991, no single party captured figures, which elicited a number of a majority of the votes, leading to the letters from the public in response, formation of a coalition government. expressing outrage at the situation This has been the pattern ever since (VDP, 12 Oct 2012). and is the main factor contributing to The degree of the obvious inac- Vanuatu’s political instability. Like- curacy of the electoral roll cast doubt wise, the increase in vote splitting has over the validity of the final election had a negative effect over the years on results and, in particular, the problems the degree of representation in Par- concerning proxy voting. In Vanuatu, liament. The percentage of the total individuals can designate someone vote won by successful candidates in their home islands to vote on their has declined almost every year since behalf by sending their electoral cards independence—from a high of 76.4 through electoral officials. Given the percent in the 1979 election to a mere present registration system, there is no 35.7 percent in 2012—meaning that way to check to see whether people Vanuatu’s Parliament was elected by have more than one card. It is com- only a minority of the voters (Van mon knowledge that this is the case; Trease 2005). thus double voting is commonplace, To the surprise of many, Sato which can easily tip an election result Kilman’s coalition was returned to one way or the other. Indeed, sev- power, gaining 29 seats versus 23 eral of the electoral challenges dealt for the rival alliance led by Edward with by the court after the election Natapei, the former prime minister involved alleged illegal proxy voting. whom Kilman had replaced in a vote The severity of the problem faced in of no confidence in December 2010 political reviews • melanesia 535

(VDP, 19 Nov, 20 Nov 2012). Of Melanesian to be elected to Parliament special significance was the gain made was, of course, Prime Minister Moana by Graon mo Jastis Pati—an increase Carcasses (Republic of Vanuatu 2012). of three rural seats in addition to The issue of corruption in govern- that held by the party’s leader, Ralph ment, which had received ongoing Regenvanu in Port Vila. The 2012 coverage in the media throughout election also marked the end of long much of 2012 and before, was a major political careers for two senior politi- issue in the campaign, as well as the cians— (vrp), Kilman debt issue and his reversal of who was elected to the country’s first Vanuatu’s long-standing support for Parliament in 1979, representing Port West Papuan independence by allow- Vila, and Sela Molisa (vp), represent- ing Indonesia observer status in the ing Santo, who was first elected in the Melanesian Spearhead Group and by early 1980s (Vanuatu Electoral Com- signing the Development Cooperation mission 2013). Agreement. Indeed, there had been The resulting coalition govern- a strong feeling that Kilman and his ment included Kilman’s own People’s coalition partners would be defeated, Progressive Party (6); Green Confed- but the optimism turned out to be eration (3); Iauko Group (3); Nagri- a reflection of the political bubble amel (3); rmc (3); National United that isolates Port Vila from the rest Party (3); Natatok (2); Peoples Service of the country. Social media played Party (1); Vanuatu National Party an important role in raising political (1); Vanuatu Republican Party (1); awareness for the first time, but the Vanuatu Development Progressive outer islands would have been much Party (1); Independents (1); and one less connected compared to the two member of the Union of Moderate urban centers. The historical differ- Parties (1)—Tanna mp Silas Iatan— ence in degree of awareness of politi- who refused to join the rest of his cal issues between urban and rural party in opposition. The Opposition, voters was again borne out in the final led by Edward Natapei, was made up results. While the Opposition did well of his own Vanua‘aku Pati (8); Union in Port Vila, capturing five of the six of Moderate Parties (4); Graon mo seats, the government parties actually Jastis Pati (4); Melanesian Progressive increased their numbers in the coun- Party (2); Liberal Democratic Party try overall. No Port Vila members (1); Independents (3); and National of Parliament were included in the United Party (1)—Tanna mp Mokin new Kilman government (McDonnell Stephen, who refused to join his party 2012). in government. Women did not do As is common in Vanuatu, it took very well; only ten contested and none time for the final election results to were elected. A surprise to many was settle down. In early December, the the election of a waetman (white man) Natapei-led opposition introduced a as member of Parliament from the motion of no confidence in the newly island of Epi—longtime resident and confirmed Kilman government but naturalized citizen from the United lacked the numbers to bring about a States, Robert Bohn. The first non- change (VDP, 1 Dec, 11 Dec 2012). 536 the contemporary pacific • 26:2 (2014)

There was much dissatisfaction among board—was a jolt to the community, the Opposition parties regarding the given all the rumors surrounding the conduct of the election, with the result Phocea (VDP, 17 Nov 2012). (One US that twenty-four electoral petitions dollar is approximately 1.08 Austra- were registered with the Supreme lian dollars.) Court. Ralph Regenvanu (gjp) was In early December, efforts by the particularly concerned about the large government to release the Phocea number of proxy votes that were cast failed when Director of Ports and and called for the “investigation of Marine Morris Kaloran ruled that a allegations that the Principal Electoral deed of release signed by Infrastruc- Officer Lawson Samuel was trans- ture Minister Harry Iauko was not ferred out of his post on the eve of the in order, that is, it was done without election so that 1000’s of false proxies consulting Ports and Marine and could be issued to be used in favor of thus did not meet the requirements certain caretaker ministers who were for dealing with such a situation as facing defeat in the election” (VDP, 3 required by law (VDP, 8 Dec 2012). Nov 2012). Most electoral petitions Three days later, the minister was were not dealt with until 2013, and found dead in a hotel room in Lugan- none of them were successful. ville—Vanuatu’s second city, located With the election over, attention on the northern island of Santo. The turned once again to the Phocea, doctor in attendance said that the which was still anchored in Port Vila cause of death was unclear, but no harbor. The captain’s case finally autopsy was performed. Iauko had came to judgment in the magistrate flown to Luganville the day before court, which fined him vt310,000 (10 December) following the success- for breaching Vanuatu’s Custom Act. ful defeat by the Kilman government At the same time, the trial date was of the no-confidence vote. Rumors of set for the two ministers who had wrongdoing were flying everywhere, illegally boarded the yacht before it with the suggestion that his death was had cleared immigration and customs, somehow linked to the Phocea and Alfred Carlot and Marcellino Pipite a mysterious Southeast Asian—or (VDP, 15 Nov 2012). As for the yacht South American—looking woman at itself, it was still under detention. the hotel who allegedly boarded the According to the police, it had been next morning’s Air Vanuatu flight to discovered that the members of the Brisbane. There does not appear to crew had forged their qualifications have been any police investigation, and certificates and were not, there- and nothing further about the death fore, qualified to man the vessel in was reported in the media except the Vanuatu waters (VDP, 16 Nov 2012). government’s expressing sympathy to The next day’s front-page story in the the family and lamenting the loss of a Daily Post—which reported the dis- “man of action” (VDP, 12 Dec, 13 Dec covery of a grounded yacht in Vava‘u 2012). At the end of December, Prime in Tonga with more than 200 kilo- Minister Kilman authorized the release grams of cocaine (worth an estimated of the Phocea, claiming that there was a$116 million) and a dead man on no longer any legal basis to retain the political reviews • melanesia 537 yacht. The controversy, however, was ists—particularly those of the Vanuatu far from over. A local lawyer, Less Daily Post and via the Vanuatu Daily Napuati, had filed a damages claim Digest, a daily news blog by longtime against the owner of the Phocea for resident and private journalist Bob forging his signature on official docu- Makin. ments, and the yacht was not allowed In mid-January 2013, information to leave. surfaced raising questions about the The year 2012 came to an end with yacht’s official registration and owner- many questions yet to be answered ship. Documents identifying both about the Phocea affair and, indeed, Luxembourg and Malta were used much uncertainty about the future. on the Phocea’s voyage to Vanuatu, Would the questionable sale of govern- but there was a question regarding ment land be allowed to continue? the true owners. Pascal Anh Quan Would the arbitrary dismissal of Saken’s name appeared on documents public officials by the government for entry into Panama, French Poly- in pursuit of its own questionable nesia, and Tonga (VDP, 12 Jan, 17 Jan agenda continue? Would the blatant 2013). Vanuatu’s Ports and Marine corruption and abuse of office that Department, however, reported that had become so obvious to everyone it had received advice from the Malta through the media, which diligently Shipping Registry that Maltese regis- reported despite some threats from tration had been obtained mid-2012 government officials, continue without “without any proof of ownership and provoking some sort of reaction by other requirements” and had, there- civil society? Would the Kilman gov- fore, been canceled as of 14 January ernment be able to hold onto power? 2013. In the view of Vanuatu officials, As is normal in Vanuatu, it took the Phocea had become “effectively several weeks following the Christ- stateless and remained under detention mas and New Year holiday period at anchor in Port Vila Harbour” (VDP, for anything newsworthy to surface, 19 Jan 2013). except for the continuing revelations The link between the Phocea and about the Phocea. The yacht remained prominent government politicians was at anchor in Port Vila harbor—a again thrust into public view when reminder of the disturbing events of it was reported a few days later that the previous year. The fact as noted Minister of Foreign Affairs Alfred in the Daily Post that the Vanuatu Carlot had traveled to Port Moresby government no longer had any link in Papua New Guinea (PNG), where with Interpol (VDP, 8 Jan 2013)—hav- he met a chartered flight carrying Pas- ing expelled the Australian Federal cal Anh Quan Saken and his brother, Police in May 2012 (VDP, 1–11 May Charles Henry Saken. Flight clear- 2012)—deprived authorities of what ance had been requested by Vanuatu’s could have been valuable assistance embassy in Brussels—the official docu- in sorting out the sleazy Phocea saga. ment from the embassy was reprinted What information did become avail- on the front page of the Daily Post able to the public was due mainly to (VDP, 19 Jan 2013)—but the plane the dedicated efforts of local journal- appears to have arrived unannounced, 538 the contemporary pacific • 26:2 (2014) raising the concern of PNG officials. Prime Minister Kilman, having A report by the PNG police quoted clearly lost control of his minister of in the Post-Courier in Papua New foreign affairs, responded to questions Guinea on 21 January noted that the from a Daily Post reporter that he two Saken brothers were naturalized “did not know that his Foreign Affairs citizens of Vanuatu and “alleged that Minister, Alfred Carlot, would attend Mr Quan has travelled extensively a meeting in Papua New Guinea with into many hostile and trouble hotspots Phocea fugitive Pascal Saken” (VDP, 21 in the world and thus has been impli- Jan 2013). A few days later, he tried to cated in illegal gun running and drug distance himself further by announc- trafficking activities in the recent past, ing through his first political advisor, especially in the Golden triangle area Richard Kaltongga, that “Alfred Car- in South East Asia and in Central and lot’s trip to Papua New Guinea, which South America. . . . What is more the Prime Minister’s Office was not suspicious is that they did stop over at informed of, was a private trip,” and the tax haven country of Maldives for he denied rumors of Saken’s having re-fuelling purpose as indicated by the provided funds to the prime minister’s pilot” (quoted in Makin 2013b). Peoples Progressive Party. “Maybe he Saken explained that as “Deputy funded some other political parties but Head of Vanuatu’s Embassy in the not ppp,” argued the political advisor European Union headquarters in (VDP, 27 Jan 2013). Belgium, . . . his work as a diplomatic The continued presence of the representative focuses on energy and Phocea was a growing threat to disaster management projects. . . [and] Kilman and his government and he Alfred Carlot was so impressed by was eager to get the yacht out of Port our work that I have done in Belgium Vila. The main stumbling block to that he wanted us to go to the USA to achieving this appears to have been implement the same program. So, that Director of Ports and Marine Mor- is why I came to PNG, because the ris Kaloran, who had refused to only place for a Vanuatu citizen to get release the yacht because it was not a visa for the USA is PNG.” He also in compliance with Vanuatu’s laws. strongly denied that he was a drugs The government’s solution was to or arms smuggler (VDP, 26 Jan 2013). prod the Public Service Commission At the same time, PNG Prime Minis- to suspend Kaloran from his position ter Peter O’Neill issued a statement (VDP, 22 Jan 2013). A leaked e-mail denying “media allegations linking his between Kilman’s first political advi- government to Phocea fugitive wanted sor and Kaloran dated 29 December in Vanuatu, Pascal Anh Quan Saken, 2012 revealed that the director had arriving in a Boeing 737 jetliner which been subjected to significant political made an unexpected illegal landing pressure. He was told, “If you can- at Jackson’s Airport,” and Carlot not comply with the Prime Minister’s announced that his trip to Papua New instructions please advise and forward Guinea was a diplomatic mission and your resignation immediately” (VDP, had nothing to do with the Sakens or 31 Jan 2013). Kaloran, a long- the Phocea (VDP, 22 Jan 2013). standing and highly respected public political reviews • melanesia 539 servant, was finally terminated in late new Kilman government. The land- February (VDP, 26 Feb 2013). owners had worked together to map Despite the government’s efforts to out and register their custom land in silence the uproar, the Phocea and the the name of the community in order to questionable activities of its alleged safeguard it for their own future use, owner, Pascal Anh Quan Saken, would but the minister ignored this develop- not go away. In mid-February, Prime ment and signed a lease recognizing Minister Kilman found it necessary to another individual from Mele village respond to continued media allega- as the landowner, who then sold the tions linking him to Saken with a 2,300-hectare lease to two wealthy statement denying that his political naturalized citizens, Michel Monvoisin election in 2012 or the formation of and Ludovic Bolliet, for a fraction of government had received financial its value (VDP, 9 Jan, 10 Jan 2013). support from Saken (VDP, 16 Feb A stay order issued by the court has 2013). That the prime minister found prevented the final lease from being it necessary to make such a state- issued, but the dispute is still not ment is an indication of the culture of settled (VDP, 11 Jan 2013). corruption that has come to underlie In late February, the Daily Post Vanuatu politics and fuel the political reported that the leader of the instability over the past two decades. Opposition had had a meeting with Seldom does an election or vote of no the prime minister to discuss a num- confidence occur that accusations are ber of problems facing the country, not voiced of money changing hands. including the increasing evidence of Members of the Opposition, some corruption in government (VDP, 20 of whom had emphasized the issue of Feb 2013). Not surprisingly, Nata- corruption in the national election a pei raised the issue of the visit of the few months earlier, expressed their dis- minister of foreign affairs to Papua gust over the stench of corruption that New Guinea and noted his concern continued into the new term of the over Minister Carlot having per- Kilman government. Edward Natapei, formed a customary ceremony of leader of the Opposition, demanded reconciliation with Prime Minister that Kilman terminate the minister of O’Neill on his recent visit to Port Vila foreign affairs or “any other ministers on behalf of the Vanuatu government who involved themselves in similar (VDP, 9 Feb 2013). Natapei noted that situations that could affect Vanuatu’s if Carlot’s trip to Papua New Guinea credibility regionally and internation- was a private matter—as the Prime ally” (VDP, 24 Jan 2013). Minister’s Office had announced— Likewise, the new gjp member for then no reconciliation ceremony the Efate Rural constituency expressed between the two governments was his objection to the decision by new necessary. Minister of Lands James Bule to grant The discussion also focused on a lease to a developer of land in the specific political issues and propos- Lelepa/Mangaliliu area of North Efate als. Natapei expressed his disapproval known as Lelema—which indicated of the appointment of mp Moana that it was business as usual for the Carcasses as parliamentary secretary 540 the contemporary pacific • 26:2 (2014) to the prime minister, which had taken be declared. Likewise, as a means to place in January—the first time in the stop the frantic buying of the support since independence of members of Parliament to form a that such a position had been created majority after an election, the party (VDP, 12 Jan 2013). Natapei repeated with the highest number of elected his argument at the time that the members should be given the first appointment was unjustified—it was chance to form a new government. at the ministerial level—and accused Despite his weak position, Kilman Kilman of simply “creating a job for apparently was not prepared to work an mp to keep the Government intact” with Natapei and the Opposition. (VDP, 15 Jan 2013). It should be noted Within a few weeks, Vanuatu was in that article 40 (2) of the constitution the midst of another disruptive vote stipulates that only thirteen minis- of no confidence—not surprising, ters are allowed. While Carcasses’s given the government’s chaotic state of Green Confederation formed part of affairs. the Kilman government, he had not If there was to be a challenge to been given a ministry at the time of its Kilman’s leadership, the approach- formation in November 2012. ing budget session of Parliament— Most significant was Natapei’s scheduled for 8–22 March—would offer to work with the government. provide the opportunity for members Natapei proposed that Kilman to take action. The political situation undertake a major reshuffling of was, however, somewhat confused his cabinet—to remove some of his with rumors growing that some ministers—in order to accommodate backbenchers within the government the whole of the Opposition as part were looking for a change of leaders of the government. This move on the from within their own group with the part of the leader of the Opposition expectation that this would attract was quite unusual in Vanuatu politics. Opposition backing. In anticipation of Rather than simply trying to destabi- such a scenario occurring, a number of lize the government to gain power by Opposition members began to change prying loose members of the existing sides in advance of a motion being coalition, Natapei hoped to be able lodged. It was reported that—with the to reason with Kilman—to argue that exception of the party leader, Serge the best way to deal with the country’s Vohor, who remained loyal to Nata- difficult problems would be to com- pei—all ump members of Parliament, bine their efforts in a kind of grand led by Port Vila mp Tony Wright, coalition or government of national broke ranks with the Opposition to unity. join the government (VDP, 8 March, Natapei also shared his ideas about 9 March 2013). new legislation that the Opposition The Daily Post observed that as hoped to introduce to “combat cor- Parliament opened, there appeared to rupt practices in Vanuatu politics.” be three factions among Prime Min- He proposed that legislation be ister Kilman’s supporters in govern- introduced to require that all outside ment, which made the decision of the sources of funding for political parties Opposition to lodge a motion of no political reviews • melanesia 541 confidence on 11 March somewhat resignation just prior to the conven- unusual. The motion was signed by ing of the session and had assumed only 16 of the 51 sitting members (the the position of interim prime minister Speaker is the fifty-second member but until a vote for his replacement could would not have been eligible to sign). take place. Wells then announced It appeared that the Opposition did that since the only item on the not have the numbers needed to pass agenda was to debate a motion of the motion (VDP, 19 March 2013). It no confidence and the prime min- should be noted that because Parlia- ister had resigned, the purpose of ment was already in session, only one- the sitting was defeated. The leader sixth of the members needed to sign of the Opposition, as mover of the in order to table a motion, whereas a motion, immediately pointed out that majority would be required to call an there were, in fact, two parts to the extraordinary session (Constitution of motion—first to remove the prime the Republic of Vanuatu, paragraph minister (which was now unnecessary) 43 [2]). The government responded a and then to elect a new prime minister. few days later by presenting a motion Natapei then moved that Parliament to the Speaker to suspend MP Ralph should proceed immediately to elect Regenvanu, who had introduced the a new prime minister. Speaker Wells, motion. It accused him of attempting however, announced that Parliament to destabilize Parliament by “present- would meet one week later on 29 ing no confidence motions when the March to elect a new prime minister opposition hasn’t got the number in and declared the session closed (VDP, parliament to vote them out” (VDP, 21 March 2013). 15 March 2013). Nevertheless, the Natapei announced to the Daily Speaker, George Wells, confirmed that Post that the Opposition would seek the motion of no confidence in the an immediate court ruling on the government was in order and sched- Speaker’s decision, which, he pointed uled a debate for the following week. out, was in contravention of Parlia- On Tuesday, 19 March 2013, with the ment’s Standing Order 9 (3), which defection from the government of 2 stipulates that “the position of prime government ministers and 6 members minister must be filled immediately of Parliament, the Opposition’s num- when it becomes vacant.” When asked bers had increased to 28—more than whom the Opposition would support enough to bring down the Kilman for prime minister, Natapei answered government (VDP, 20 March 2013). that their candidate would be Port However, as is usual in the lead-up to Vila mp Moana Carcasses, adding that a no-confidence motion in Vanuatu, he knew the choice was controversial the unexpected is always possible. since Carcasses is a “ni-Vanuatu by The Opposition members were in naturalization . . . [but] he has every high spirits when they entered Parlia- constitutional right to become a Prime ment on the afternoon of 20 March, Minister of Vanuatu” (VDP, 22 March but the mood quickly changed when 2013). Speaker Wells announced that Prime The chief justice, Vincent Lunabek, Minister Kilman had handed in his ruled in favor of the Opposition’s 542 the contemporary pacific • 26:2 (2014) application, noting that “the Speaker’s (ump), Minister of Youth Develop- decision that the Parliament session ment and Sport. The other seven min- has no other business to discuss due isters included: (vp) to the prime minister’s resignation from Tanna, Minister of Education; is irrelevant as the resignation is an Esmon Sae (mpp) from Malakula, external matter that can’t be allowed Minister of Infrastructure and Public to interfere with the procedures and Utilities; David Tosul (ppp) from Pen- processes of the parliament as stated tecost, Minister of Agriculture; Mar- in Article 42 of the Constitution.” cellino Pipite (vrp) from Santo, Min- The chief justice, therefore, ordered ister of Tourism and Commerce; Serge the Speaker to reconvene Parliament Vohor (ump) from Santo, Minister on 23 March “to allow the motion of Health; Maki Simelum (vp) from against the Prime Minister to con- Ambrym, Minister for Justice and tinue” (VDP, 23 March 2013). When Social Welfare; and Thomas Laken the vote was taken, Moana Carcasses (independent) from Tanna, Minister of was elected prime minister with 34 Planning and Climate Change. On the votes in favor and 18 against. Ham whole, due to the heavy representa- Lini (nup) from Pentecost became tion of Port Vila, the cabinet was not leader of the Opposition. well balanced regionally—always an In early April, the new govern- important consideration in coalition ment passed a motion to suspend the formation and a fact that would not Speaker from parliamentary sittings go unnoticed in the months that fol- until the end of 2013 in retaliation lowed. for his attempt to stymie the vote of In early April, Prime Minister no confidence against Kilman (8 April Carcasses announced what he called 2013). He was replaced as Speaker the “100 Day List” of priorities to be by (vp) from Maewo. achieved during the first one hundred A rumor began to circulate that the days of the government’s term in new Opposition would be tabling a office; it included sixty-eight specific no-confidence motion against the new items (VDP, 11 April 2013; Vanuatu government, but nothing eventuated Government 2013). In addition to and, in the end, Lini admitted that the usual reorganization of minis- they did not have the numbers (VDP, terial portfolios and departments, 8 April 2013). appointment of political advisors and Carcasses’s cabinet included all six directors general, and review of the of Port Vila members of Parliament: membership of all boards to various Moana Carcasses (Green Confedera- statutory bodies and institutions, the tion), Prime Minister; Edward Nata- new government laid out an array of pei (vp), Deputy Prime Minister and specific policy objectives it intended Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade; to pursue. There was heavy emphasis Willie Jimmy (Liberal Democratic on dealing with the issue of corruption Party), Minister of Finance; Ralph in government, especially activities Regenvanu (gjp), Minister of Lands; that had attracted regular, prominent Patrick Crowby (ump), Minister of news coverage such as the misuse of Internal Affairs; and Tony Wright government vehicles and overseas political reviews • melanesia 543 travel. Favoritism in the awarding of year, and the new government pro- scholarships for university studies was posed to review its costs and benefits an ongoing problem, and a proposal to Vanuatu. was included to ensure transparency Evidence of corruption in the in selection based on merit rather operation of the Citizenship Commit- than family connection. One of the tee prompted the inclusion in the “100 most important proposals to deal Day List” of a proposal to establish a with corruption was to amend the commission of inquiry “to investigate Ombudsman Act to “re-instate the and audit all Vanuatu citizenships power of the Ombudsman to institute granted and Vanuatu passports issued a civil case against a leader to recover and to cancel all citizenship granted misappropriated funds and to be able which did not meet the requirements to prosecute a leader for breach of the of the Constitution and the law” Leadership Code if the Public Prosecu- (Vanuatu Government 2013). In tor has not commenced proceeding addition, it was proposed that consid- three months after issuing a Report eration should be given to amending alleging breaches.” Unfortunately, this the constitution to provide for dual change had not been acted on by the citizenship. end of 2013. The appointment of a Not listed in the “100 Day List,” new police commissioner and attorney but clearly a high priority, was the general would also help to lay to rest government’s desire to be rid of the these lingering controversies. mega yacht Phocea and all the sus- Foreign affairs received early atten- picious activities and events associ- tion from the new government. There ated with it. In early April the prime was to be a full review of all overseas minister announced that, in his view, appointments—ambassadors, consuls, “the Phocea should leave” (VDP, 12 and trade representatives. Specific April 2013). This finally happened on reference was made to the removal 3 May 2013, when it was reported of the diplomatic status of Thi Tam that Customs was “compelled” to Goiset as ambassador to Russia and provide clearance for the vessel based to the review of the activities she on a certificate of registration alleg- had undertaken. In May, Minister edly provided by the New York office Natapei announced that Vanuatu of the Vanuatu Maritime Services would establish foreign relations with Limited (the institution that manages Georgia and revoke recognition of Vanuatu’s shipping registry). Customs Abkhazia, which became official in officials reportedly expressed disap- August (VDP, 22 May, 5 Aug 2013). pointment at the decision and noted The new government also committed that “Customs has clearly advised itself to support for West Papua’s full the government on what is the cor- membership in the Melanesian Spear- rect procedure according to the law head Group and for termination of and our international obligations, but the Development Cooperation Agree- the pm and State Law Office [SLO] ment with Indonesia that Kilman had have failed to understand our posi- negotiated. The msg Trade Agreement tion. It is therefore with great regret had become an issue in the previous that Customs will have to follow the 544 the contemporary pacific • 26:2 (2014) instructions of the pm and slo” (VDP, leases were surrendered (VDP, 8 May 3 May 2013). 2013). Despite a report from police and Land reform was not a new priority Customs officials that no firearms or for Regenvanu—he had been focus- drugs had been found in a search of ing his attention on land issues since the Phocea (VDP, 12 Feb 2013), many his time as director of the Vanuatu unanswered questions remained. Was Cultural Centre and was the driving there a connection between the death force in organizing the National Lands of the infrastructure minister in the Summit in 2006. Indeed, his short Kilman government, Harry Iauko, time as minister of lands and then as in December 2012, just three days minister of justice in the early years of after the director of Ports and Marine the Kilman government had given him had rejected his signed release form? the opportunity to identify specific What exactly were ministers Alfred areas in need of reform and to formu- Carlot and Marcellino Pipite doing on late a strategy to bring about reform. the Phocea prior to the yacht’s being Regenvanu’s strategy was to under- cleared by customs? Both men had take a series of consultations to inform appeared in court, and a trial date had and seek advice from communities been set, but no further hearings have around the country in the formula- taken place. tion of a Land Reform Policy, which Dealing with corruption in the he intended to take before Parliament Ministry of Lands was another high before the end of 2013. The consulta- priority area for the new govern- tions concluded with a National Land ment, but it was the aim of the new Law Summit in which the Malvatu- minister of lands, Ralph Regenvanu, mauri and chiefs from all around the to formulate comprehensive land country joined Minister Regenvanu reform legislation. The minister’s first and other government officials, step was to secure the suspension and including the director of the Vanuatu eventual removal of the sitting direc- Cultural Centre, in a full discussion of tor general of the Lands Department, the proposed land reform legislation. accusing him of allegedly “attempt- The National Land Law Summit and ing to pervert the course of current the Malvatumauri endorsed the new investigation, being undertaken by the legislation. The Efate Vaturisu Council Public Service Commission, concern- of Chiefs, however, was reluctant to ing the leases of state lands issued to commit to the new reform program, public servants” (VDP, 13 April 2013). noting that they needed more time Regarding this issue, the minister to consider the legislation because “requested all staff of the Department it affected their circumstances (VDP, of Lands who had obtained leases over 15–17 Oct 2013). state land from the former Minister of The land reform was, in fact, a Lands Steven Kalsakau to surrender package involving the reforms as well these leases” (VDP, 18 April, 20 April as new legislation and changes to the 2013). The result of meetings between constitution. Revisions to the Land the minister and the lands officers Reform Act of 1980 removed the concerned was, however, negative—no power of the minister of lands to sign political reviews • melanesia 545 off on leases on behalf of disputing the administration of land in Vanuatu custom owners and to create leases since independence. of state land without the approval of Another significant accomplish- the Council of Ministers. The new ment of the Carcasses government was Customary Land Management Act the passage of legislation to amend replaced the existing Customary Land the Municipalities Act to provide Tribunals Act of 2001 and “created reserved seats in the municipal coun- new processes for identifying custom cils of Vanuatu for women. This very owner groups and managing disputes progressive move—the first of its about custom ownership in accor- kind in the Pacific—follows years of dance with the rules of customary law. campaigning by women’s groups and It includes limited rights of appeal nongovernmental organizations to on grounds of improper process, for encourage women to become more example a meeting not being held active in politics. A small number of properly, but requires that final bind- Ni-Vanuatu women have succeeded ing determinations that identify cus- over the years in winning election to tom owner groups can only be made Parliament or municipal councils, but by customary institutions” (McDon- never more than one or two at a time. nell 2014). The amendment was passed unani- The new legislation required mously and guarantees 30 percent of adjustments to the constitution. the municipal council seats for women Article 30 was changed, requir- (VDP, 30 Aug 2013). It came into effect ing Parliament to consult with the in time for the Port Vila municipal Malvatumauri about any changes to election in January 2014. land law. A newly drafted article 78 Despite all the euphoria surround- defines custom ownership in Vanuatu ing the new direction of the Carcasses as associated with groups and guar- government, several controversial antees their right to resolve disputes decisions raised concern that cer- through their own processes rather tain negative aspects of Vanuatu than through formal state courts. politics seemed to be continuing as As Minister Regenvanu explained, usual. To the surprise of many, the “The new laws bring determination prime minister decided to terminate of custom owners back to custom- the highly respected Reserve Bank ary institutions, it removes the power governor, Odo Tevi, whose contract from courts and the government to Kilman had only recently renewed. determine who the custom owners The leader of the Opposition, Ham are and puts it back under rules of Lini, condemned the termination as custom” (McDonnell 2014). The a “critical mistake,” noting that “the legislation and constitutional amend- management of Vanuatu’s stable fiscal ments were passed by Parliament in policy was due very much to Tevi’s December, but the legislation was not strict control” (VDP, 27 April 2013). gazetted as law until early in 2014 The termination was seen by many (VDP, 3 Dec, 17 Dec 2013). Without as opening up a position for one of doubt, this land reform package rep- the prime minister’s friends, and Tevi resents the most important changes to instituted court action against the 546 the contemporary pacific • 26:2 (2014) government for breach of contract 767 planes to be able to land in Vanu- (VDP, 7 May 2013). atu, which it was said is not possible On the whole, the Carcasses-led at Bauerfield. The dream is that such government proved to be quite stable planes would be able to fly nonstop and lasted through to the end of from Asia, opening up a huge tour- 2013 without any major challenge. ist market for Vanuatu (VDP, 12 Jan A minor reshuffle did occur early in 2013). the year, when veteran Port Vila mp One definite effect of the termina- Willy Jimmy was replaced as min- tion of Willie Jimmy was that it helped ister of finance by the existing min- to slightly rectify the imbalance in ister of justice, Maki Simelum (vp) the cabinet of Port Vila members, from Ambrym, and MP Silas Yatan though five out of the six still held (ump) from Tanna replaced Sime- ministerial portfolios. The claim by lum as minister of justice. Carcasses the Opposition at this point that it explained only that the changes were had the numbers to table a motion of made because of differences of opin- no confidence quickly faded when it ion within the cabinet (VDP, 11 May became clear that this was not the case 2013). In an interview with the Daily (VDP, 16 May 2013). The rumor seems Post, Willie Jimmy swore that “there to have been true, however, that Willie was no such meeting held with other Jimmy was attempting to organize a MPs to discuss forming a political bloc new bloc to eventually challenge the as claimed in the media”—which sug- Carcasses government (VDP, 27 May gests that he may have been seen as 2013). a threat by Carcasses (VDP, 13 May As part of its strategy to under- 2013). mine Carcasses, the Opposition In due course, it became clear that issued a press release alleging that at the heart of the dispute was Wil- the prime minister was involved in lie Jimmy’s refusal to sign off on the illegal passport sales—a scandal that issue of a promissory note amount- has featured in the media repeatedly ing to us$350 million for a project at different times in the past. The negotiated by the prime minister with Opposition said that it had confirma- a Singapore company to upgrade tion of a website originating in China airports in Vanuatu without consulting “offering Vanuatu passports for sale even the minister of finance, let alone with certificates of citizenship.” The the cabinet as a whole (VDP, 14 May, press release also noted pointedly 15 May 2013). The most significant that if convicted, the prime minister element of the project was funding for could be “stripped of his citizenship constructing a new airport on North and evicted from the country” (VDP, Efate—an idea that had been floated 25 May 2013). The latter point was by Ham Lini as deputy prime minister a not-so-subtle reference to the fact in the Kilman government—rather that Carcasses is not an indigenous than upgrading the existing facility, Melanesian but rather a naturalized Bauerfield, close to Port Vila. The citizen of Tahitian and North African rational behind the project was to origin—a crude way of attacking the make it possible for larger 747 and prime minister that would increas- political reviews • melanesia 547 ingly be used by his opponents in the the previous December. His son, months to come. Pascal Sebastian Iauko, ran and was The government had flagged the claimed by the Opposition parties, investigation of irregularities in the who reminded voters prior to the operation of the citizenship com- election that Kilman had urged Pascal mittee as one of its “100 Day List” to follow in his father’s footsteps and priorities. In October, the Citizen- promised the people of Tanna at the ship Office had evidence that a “well burial that they—the government at established group had been issuing the time, but now the Opposition— false and fake Vanuatu certificates to would elect his replacement. The foreign nationals” and requested that combined support of the Opposition new citizens present their documents parties had been extremely success- for verification (VDP, 2 Oct 2013). It ful and Iauko won by a significant was reported that a number of Ni- majority (VDP, 29 May 2013). Pascal Vanuatu, including two Citizenship Iauko assumed the leadership of the Office officials and some politicians, Iauko Group, which his father had had been arrested and charged with organized to contest the 2012 election, issuing fake citizenship papers (VDP, 4 and indeed did join Kilman, Lini, and Oct 2013). others in the Opposition (VDP, 31 May Unrelated to the issue of fraudulent 2013). passports, the government announced West Papua continued to attract that it would be tabling a bill in Par- political attention when at the msg liament to amend the constitution— leaders summit in Lifou, New Caledo- a repeal of article 13—that would nia, it was decided to defer consider- make way for the recognition of dual ation of the issue of full membership, citizenship in Vanuatu. The move was despite strong backing from Vanuatu seen by many as benefiting Vanuatu by for the discussion to proceed (VDP, attracting remittances from future dual 19 June 2013). Carcasses had taken citizens living abroad, but the real a strong stand in support of West goal appears to be quite different. The Papua, but outspoken President of the creation of the category of dual citizen Oceania Decolonization Committee is part of a plan to introduce what Shem Rarua labeled the decision unac- has come to be known as the Capital ceptable (VDP, 20 June 2013). At inde- Investment Immigration Plan (ciip), pendence, Rarua had been a strong which would be an expansion of the member of the Vanua‘aku Pati, which scheme established in 2012 to sell supported West Papuan independence, permanent resident visas to wealthy and had continued to advocate for Chinese (see above). The ciip would, the cause despite breaking with the vp in effect, create economic citizens who in 1991 to join Father ’s meet certain conditions, including the National United Party. Carcasses’s investment of funds in Vanuatu (VDP, response to the criticism on his return 26 Nov 2013). from the meeting was At the end of May, a by-election to again declare his strong support for was conducted on Tanna to replace West Papuan independence and to call Harry Iauko after his untimely death for the Opposition and the govern- 548 the contemporary pacific • 26:2 (2014) ment to unite on this important issue Yatan, who stepped down willingly— (VDP, 25 June 2013). he said—because he felt that the Another matter discussed at the “people of the Shepherd Outer Island msg leaders summit in New Caledo- do need an mp in an executive power nia that Carcasses felt strongly about [sic] to ensure that the population of was the msg Trade Agreement. On the Shepherds Outer Islands is not left his return to Port Vila, he issued a out of the important developments of strong statement that “Vanuatu does the country” (VDP, 5 July 2013). The not benefit from this Trade Agreement announcement several days later that and it is time we make our voice heard the Opposition had tabled a motion loudly” (VDP, 26 June 2013). The of no confidence would lead one to Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and suspect that the small reshuffle had Industry Forum in July concluded that something to do with shoring up the the msg Trade Agreement resulted government coalition, though this was in “huge trade imbalance which never confirmed publicly. Likewise, Vanuatu governments have ignored.” Carcasses dismissed Minister of Tour- In the past, Vanuatu used to export ism, Trade and Industry Marcellino large quantities of beef to Papua New Pipite for having signed the motion Guinea, but now Melanesian trade (VDP, 16 July 2013). goes mainly one way; in particular, Fiji The Speaker of Parliament, how- is able to export a significant range ever, ruled that the motion was not in of goods duty-free to Vanuatu (eg, order. He alleged that several signa- ice cream, water, paint, soap, tim- tures on the motion had been forged ber, paper products), while Vanuatu and that two of the members of Parlia- exports little in return (VDP, 4 July ment who signed were not eligible: the 2013). It is clear that Vanuatu is not newly elected member from Tanna, able to take advantage of the Trade Pascal Iauko, had not yet been sworn Agreement because of the limited in, and Luganville mp George Wells size of its manufacturing base—an was still under suspension until the indication that the country’s policy to end of the year (VDP, 12 July 2013). encourage foreign investment is not The leader of the Opposition, Ham working. Foreigners arrive to set up Lini, challenged the Speaker’s decision retail shops, but there is little signifi- in court (VDP, 16 July 2013). The chief cant investment in areas that could be justice, however, upheld the Speaker’s transformed into exports. Neverthe- decision relating to the misuse of the less, it is worth noting that the duty- signatures and agreed that neither free products from Fiji are cheap when Iauko nor Wells was eligible to sign compared to similar imports from the petition. His ruling was, therefore, Australia and New Zealand, which that “the motion of no confidence in is a significant benefit to Vanuatu Prime Minister Moana Carcasses was consumers. invalid and of no effect” (VDP, 19 July, Another minor reshuffle of the 22 July, 26 July 2013). government occurred in July, with It turned out that the plot to topple MP Toara Daniel from the Shepherds Carcasses was far more complex than replacing Minister of Justice Silas appeared on the surface. Following political reviews • melanesia 549 the 2012 election, Attorney General Port Vila, Pekoa Airport in Luganville, Ishmael Kalsakau and several others Santo, and Whitegrass Airport on had submitted an electoral petition Tanna, as well as the construction of against the prime minister, Minister a new airport on North Efate (VDP, 3 Tony Wright, and Minister Patrick Aug 2013). Crowby for allegedly having bribed It was never quite clear who or voters in the Seaside area of Port Vila what other companies or individuals with a bag of rice, money for kava, were actually behind the proposal, and vt1,000 to a family member. The but the business arrangements were expectation was that the electoral shocking. In return for construction petition would succeed and that the of the Efate airport, the Vanuatu gov- government coalition would collapse. ernment would hand over full control The result, however, did not go as the of it to the company concerned for plotters had hoped, with the Supreme fifty years to manage all aspects of its Court deciding that the accusations operation—that is, to set and col- had not been proved and dismissing lect all charges, such as landing fees the electoral petition completely, and and departure taxes, and control and the coalition was preserved (VDP, 31 profit from all associated commercial July 2013). Yet another small reshuffle concessions and real estate. After fifty occurred a few days later with the years, the airport would be handed appointment of mp Jonas James back to Vanuatu, and all of this from Paama as minister of justice. would, in theory, not cost the Republic At the same time, mp Toara Daniel of Vanuatu a single vatu. The us$350 from Shepherds moved from justice million loan guarantee was, in effect, a to tourism, filling the gap left by the means of holding the Vanuatu govern- dismissal of Marcellino Pipite (VDP, ment to ransom—to ensure that it did 3 Aug 2013). not change its mind at some point and Having avoided two disruptive attempt to renege on the deal. This votes of no confidence, the govern- actually happened in the Maldives, ment was suddenly faced with an with the government of the Maldives issue that had the potential to split and the gmr company ending up in the coalition from within. On the court (VDP, 7 Aug 2013). eve of the independence celebra- Not all members of the coalition tions, the prime minister unexpect- were in agreement. The Daily Post edly announced that he had signed a headline read: “gjp, vp May Not Vote concession agreement that “commit- For us$350 Million,” noting that ted the people of Vanuatu to paying “some mps in government are suspi- around vt33 billion for an airports cious of the deal and may not vote infrastructure development project in Parliament that promissory notes with a Singapore company, Vanu- to the value of about vt33 billion be atu Trade Development Private Ltd issued to the Singapore Company.” It (vtdpl),” which was linked in some was reported that the deal had been obscure way to the gmr International negotiated and signed by the prime Airports Pte Ltd. The proposal envis- minister without cabinet approval, aged upgrades to Bauerfield Airport in though Deputy Prime Minister 550 the contemporary pacific • 26:2 (2014)

Edward Natapei gave his support, police announced the discovery of with some reservations (VDP, 8 Aug cocaine with a value of vt32 billion— 2013). the biggest drug bust in the history The idea of airport redevelopment of the South Pacific—concealed in has been around for years, but never a yacht that had been moored in carried out, due mainly to lack of Port Vila harbor for over two years. funding. Indeed, in 2008, specific leg- Originally called the Raj and renamed islation was passed by Parliament that the Scope after coming to Vanuatu laid out detailed procedures for the in 2011, the yacht had been searched use of private funding as an alternative earlier, when slight traces of cocaine to aid or a government loan (Vanuatu had been detected, but no drugs were Sessional Legislation 2008). Likewise, actually found. The cocaine was in January 2012, Ham Lini, the leader eventually uncovered below the steel of the Opposition and minister for floor of the engine under a layer of tourism at the time, announced that concrete—its discovery made possible he had spoken to possible Korean with the assistance of the Australian backers and intended to promote Federal Police (VDP, 23 Aug, 24 Aug, the development of a new airport on 26 Aug, 27 Aug 2013). North Efate, capable of accommodat- This was not the first illicit drug ing larger aircraft than the existing haul discovered with a connection to airport, Bauerfield (VDP, 12 Jan 2013). Vanuatu. In October 2011, Austra- While not opposing the idea of the lian Federal Police uncovered cocaine construction of a new airport, he was worth a$78 million in Bundaberg, strongly opposed to the current gmr Australia, on a yacht—Friday Free- project, labeling it a “scam” (VDP, 21 dom—that had arrived from Vanu- Aug 2013). atu as part of an annual yacht race. Parliament voted to set up an ad Australian Federal Police detected the hoc committee to discuss the conces- yacht when they were investigating a sion agreement further, and the project money-laundering syndicate. Clearly, is still under negotiation (VDP, 28 Aug Vanuatu has become a transit point 2013). With no clear picture about the for drugs, which most likely is part source of funding, it is worrying to of a larger network covering other think about what effect such arrange- islands in the South Pacific (abc News ments might have on Vanuatu. Given 2011). Unfortunately, despite these the country’s tax haven status and recent events—including the suspicious associated potential for the laundering circumstances surrounding the Phocea of dirty money—an activity successive and the unexplained death of Minis- governments have never wanted to ter Harry Iauko—there is very little acknowledge existed, let alone con- discussion among politicians about the trol—Vanuatu’s international standing fact that Vanuatu is becoming a focal could be seriously undermined. point of international criminal activity. Indeed, it is clear that Vanuatu’s There are of course many indi- reputation as a focal point for shady, viduals—politicians and government criminal activity is increasing. At the officials as well as others within civil end of August, the commissioner of society—who are prepared to speak political reviews • melanesia 551 out. Transparency Vanuatu, for for elected members to change party example, publishes a regular hard- membership or to instigate votes of no hitting column in the Vanuatu Daily confidence. Post highlighting issues and problems howard van trease in government, and the Graon mo Jastis Pati was able to increase its numbers in Parliament in the 2012 election by running on a platform that References included anticorruption as a major abc News. 2011. $78m Cocaine Bust at issue. Likewise, gjp leader Ralph Bundaberg Marina. 15 Nov. http://www Regenvanu has been prepared to .abc.net.au/news/2011-11-14/300kg-drug speak out about issues and confront -bust-in-queensland/3664164 [accessed individuals in Parliament in pursuit of 5 April 2014] more honest government. There was a Consolidated Legislation of the Republic sense in 2013, as the weeks passed and of Vanuatu. Available from the Pacific the government began to focus with Islands Legal Information Institute. some success on substantive issues, http://www.paclii.org/ that things might be changing under the new Carcasses-led government. Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu. While there were rumors on several Available from the Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute. http://www.paclii occasions of possible votes of no .org/ confidence, they never got beyond the talking stage. Makin, Bob. The Vanuatu Daily Digest. However, it is clear that the under- News blog. vanuatudaily.wordpress.com/ lying factor that limits the effective- category/the-news-digested/ ness of such individuals and organiza- ———. 2013a. Carcasses Government tions is Vanuatu’s political instability, Releases “100 Day” List. Vanuatu Daily brought on since 1991 by consecutive Digest, 11 April. vanuatudaily.wordpress coalition governments. History has .com/?s=100+day+list [accessed 2 April shown that it becomes almost impos- 2014] sible for a weak coalition to take a ———. 2013b. Saken Brothers Known strong stand on corruption when for Drugs, Arms Trade: Interpol. Vanuatu everyone knows that some of its own Daily Digest, 22 Jan. vanuatudaily members are tainted and would not .wordpress.com/2013/01/21/saken hesitate to bring the government down -brothers-known-for-drugs-arms-trade if they were exposed. Vanuatu is in -interpol-png-post-courier/ [accessed 2 need of some serious public discussion April 2014] on how best to tackle this problem— Malvatumauri, Vanuatu Cultural Centre be it reform of the electoral system to and Ministry of Lands. 2006. Part D: reduce the negative effect of the exces- Ministerial Powers Where Land Is Under sive number of candidates and politi- Dispute in Vanuatu National Lands cal parties, the imposition of stricter Summit Resolutions. 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Publication Office. http://www.pacificdisaster.net/ of Results and Candidates Elected for the pdnadmin/data/original/VUT_2009 2012 General Election, Notice 94 of 2012. _Census_ReportV1.pdf [accessed 5 April Republic of Vanuatu Official Gazette: 2014] Extraordinary Gazette 17, 6 Nov. Vanuatu Sessional Legislation. 2006. Supreme Court of Vanuatu. 2012. Consti- Representation of the People Act, tutional Case 02 of 2012 (08 June): The Chapter 146. Available from Pacific Government of the Republic of Vanuatu v Islands Legal Information Institute: The President of the Republic of Vanuatu http://www.paclii.org [2012] vusc 109; in the Supreme Court of ———. 2007. Representation of the the Republic of Vanuatu (Constitutional People (Amendment) Act 2007. Available Jurisdiction). Available from the Pacific from Pacific Islands Legal Information Islands Legal Information Institute: Institute: http://www.paclii.org http://www.paclii.org/ ———. 2008. Privately Financed Airport Van Trease, Howard. 2005. The Opera- Infrastructure Projects Act 2008. Available tion of the Single Non-Transferable Vote in from Pacific Islands Legal Information Vanuatu. Commonwealth and Compara- Institute: http://www.paclii.org tive Politics 43 (3): 296–332. VDP, Vanuatu Daily Post. Port Vila. ———. 2012. Melanesia in Review: Issues and Events, 2011: Vanuatu. The Contem- porary Pacific 24:414–431. Vanuatu Electoral Commission. 2013. 9th General Elections Report: 30 October 2012. Port Vila: Vanuatu Electoral Com- mission.