Vanuatu Chiefs Request State Land in Australia

Vanuatu’s Malvatumauri Councils of Chiefs made a heartfelt request for state land in Australia during the visit of Australia’s Governor-General, David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), and Mrs. Linda Hurley to the Chiefs Nakamal premises yesterday.

Acting President of the Malvatumauri Councils of Chiefs, Chief Jimmy Meameadola, emphasised the significance of Australia’s Seasonal Workers Program (SWP), noting its positive impact on the living standards of Vanuatu communities through remittances.

“It is our humble intention to request the Australian Government through your presence here today, to consider allocating a piece of state land in any part of Australia that you may consider appropriate for our Vanuatu citizens,” Chief Meameadola conveyed to the Governor-General.

“We believe that there are an estimated 20,000 Ni-Vanuatu citizens that are engaged in the seasonal work program, education program, and all others related external fields of staying in Australia.

“We request that the Australian Government continues addressing the welfare of Vanuatu citizens in Australia and may we all work hand in hand to address social issues that may arise in the near future.”

The envisioned purpose of the state land is to create a space known as a Vanuatu “Marai,” where the Ni-Vanuatu community can gather, express their cultural identity, and engage in traditional activities while residing in Australia.

Chief Meameadola highlighted the importance of such a space.

“Given the fact that these activities will continue to rise in the near future, we conclude that the purpose of the state land will be considered as a centre for all Vanuatu people in Australia to exercise their cultural identity and a safe place to gather together, fostering a strong sense of community, even when far away from their homeland,” he said.

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Melanesian Art Festival long Port Vila stat long namba 19 Kasem 31 July 2023

This Art Festival bae iko tugeta wetem Independence Anniversary blong Vanuatu mo fest Napuan Music Festival.

Long 1995 Melanesian Spearhead Group MSG ibin kamap wetem thingthing blong stap kat Melanesian Arts & Cultural Festival long evri 4 yia wetem aim blong promotem traditional Mo contemporary arts long full Melanesia.

 Stat long 1998, Papua Niu Guinea,Fiji ,Vanuatu,Niu Caledonia mo Solomon Islands istap tekem pat long hem mo long 2014 Melanesian community blong Papuan Province blong Indonesia,Timor Leste mo Torres Strait Islands blong Australia I pat long hem.

1998 – 1st MACFEST. Solomon Islands. Theme – “One People. Many Cultures”

2002 – 2nd MACFEST. Vanuatu. Theme – “Preserving Peace through Sharing of Cultures”

2006 – 3rd MACFEST. Fiji. Theme- “Living Cultures. Living Traditions”

2010 – 4th MACFEST. New Caledonia. Theme – “Our Identity Lies Ahead of Us”

2014 – 5th MACFEST. Papua New Guinea. Theme – “Celebrating Cultural Diversity”

2018 – 6th MACFEST. Solomon Islands. Theme – “Past Recollections, Future Connections”

 

2023- 7th MACFEST. Vanuatu. Theme - Rebuilding my Melanesian for a common Destiny.

Vanuatu mo Port Vila iluk fowod long over toasen pipol long time blong Melanesian Art Festival long Port Vila.

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Duma Says Faults May Delay PX Flights

MEDIA STATEMENT

STATE Enterprises Minister William Duma says Air Niugini flights are cancelled only when an aircraft has to undergo an unscheduled maintenance, or experiences a technical fault.

“(Flights have to be cancelled) because Air Niugini takes safety of the flight very seriously,” he said.

“Sometimes, flights are cancelled for reasons beyond our control, such as (adverse) weather conditions.”

Duma assured travellers that flight cancellations would end after the introduction of more aircraft, improved engineering facilities and increased manpower.

“These are part of ongoing plans,” he said.

He was responding to social media posts regarding the credibility of Air Niugini’s engineering department, and the reliability of its fleet of aircraft.

“Air Niugini places the utmost importance on safety and takes pride in upholding the highest standards,” he said.

“Commercial aviation in Papua New Guinea is regulated because airlines operate in a challenging environment.

“Every aspect of Air Niugini’s operations is regulated – flight operations, engineering, and training.

“All (are) covered by our safety management systems designed to always keep our passengers and crew safe.”

Duma said Air Niugini planned to buy and lease 11 aircraft to replace their Fokker-model planes.

Air Niugini is also acquiring two wide-body Boeing 787-8 aircraft.

The total programme, worth K3 billion, would also involve pilot training and recruitment, and upgrading the engineering division.

The new aircraft will start arriving from late 2024.

The airline is also adding Boeing 737-800 jets and four Dash-8 Q400 aircraft by this September.

It would bolster services leading up to the December peak period.

Duma said Air Niugini was undergoing internal changes to improve employee working conditions and address overdue organisational challenges, such as expired employee contracts.

In addition, all in-flight catering will be brought back to the company.

Duma thanked the airline’s employees who have been working hard to keep the national airline flying through difficult and trying circumstances.

The airline also announced the resumption of its Fokker jet services to Kagamuga Airport, Western Highlands, following the completion of the runway maintenance by the National Airports Corporation.

Source: FB

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