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Pacific Islands Report
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Posted on Apr 21 2000
Rations for Fiji flood victims
SUVA, Fiji Islands—Emergency rations will be distributed to more than 500 people affected by floods in Fiji’s Northern Division.
Acting Prime Minister Dr. Tupeni Baba made the announcement after a survey showed that 537 people, mainly farmers and their families, suffered directly as a result of the floods and were in urgent need of food rations.
The floods mainly ravaged Macuata Province, washing away homes and damaging crops, roads, schools and hospitals.
PNG gambling tax
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea—Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta told Parliament that the tax increase for poker machine operators would remain, despite an expected loss of $24 million in annual revenue.
Several major poker machine operators shut down after Parliament passed amendments to decrease their share of gambling revenues.
Sir Mekere said the government will make adjustments to the lost revenue.
The gambling tax increase came in the wake of a tax hike in tobacco and alcohol.
Fiji nurses protest
SUVA, Fiji Islands—Members of the Fiji Nursing Association said they will withdraw overtime services to protest the government’s failed promise to address their grievances.
About 50 members of the association met to discuss the government’s promise of a pay review at the end of last month.
A strike notice has already been issued by the association’s Suva branch.
Nurses said they will strike if the government doesn’t make good on its promises by May 16.
