Public Address | Cafe | Random Play: Fiji #2: The Times, they are a-changing https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/ en-us Copyright (c) 2026 Public Address Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=173298#post173298 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=173298#post173298 Idiot/Savant has an update.

Yesterday the Melanesian Spearhead Group, a regional trade and political forum parallel, cancelled its planned leadership summit in Fiji over concerns about Fiji's military regime.

...

Today, Fiji responded by expelling the Australian ambassador. It's a classic example of the regime's paranoia. Everything bad that happens…

]]> Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:42:29 +1200 Lara https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=173234#post173234 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=173234#post173234 I would not go to Fiji, even if given the opportunity.

I believe that PACER Plus is the regional trade agreement currently under negotiation, and I would agree with the concerns voiced by various NGOs about the likely consequences of that agreement.

]]> Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:16:42 +1200 merc https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=173006#post173006 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=173006#post173006 http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/fiji-surfing-decree-becomes-law--island-surf-spots-now-open-to-all_45251/ ]]> Mon, 12 Jul 2010 09:07:16 +1200 Jeremy Eade https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172992#post172992 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172992#post172992 Sure, i agree we don't need kings but King John Key wont last forever.

My original statement was more a reflection on the need for a more considered approach to pacific regionalism from us. Can the economies work more efficiently together considering the obvious advantages of trade regionalism.

In relevance…

]]> Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:40:34 +1200 Islander https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172987#post172987 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172987#post172987 Jeremy Eade – it is possible that some kind of real *South* Pacific union will happen, but not in my lifetime.

"we all live in the same piece of water" –

Indeed – but we have quite different views on how we relate to that piece of water...

"Well, the…

]]> Sun, 11 Jul 2010 17:03:46 +1200 Jeremy Eade https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172964#post172964 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172964#post172964 Well the scots, welsh and english did it and they fucking hated each other, but yes , quite rightly there doesn't have to be a king, more a figure of speech.

A united pacific will have to happen in some sense in the future , history is a lesson not…

]]> Sun, 11 Jul 2010 10:45:57 +1200 Islander https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172958#post172958 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172958#post172958 I'm sorry>?
A ' united KINGdom of the South Pacific'?
You have to be fucking kidding.
There are so many ancient hates, and unfinished wars, and really alive unpleasantnesses-
just forget about any kind of closure between Melanesia & Polynesia – aint gonna happen-

and "king"doms- waua! Jeremy Eade – go…

]]> Sat, 10 Jul 2010 22:10:37 +1200 Jeremy Eade https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172957#post172957 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172957#post172957 Sat, 10 Jul 2010 21:58:14 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172956#post172956 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172956#post172956 Efeso Collins responds ]]> Sat, 10 Jul 2010 21:02:34 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172951#post172951 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172951#post172951 I thought you meant the connection between our nations in general, not specifically any logic around sanctions.

Tensions between authoritarian and participatory styles of governance are alive across the Pacific. Even in the PEDA situation and the responses of some to Efeso Collins speaking out about it. Oh, [[http://pacificeyewitness.com/2010/07/10/radio-531pi-ceo-terminates-collins-contract/|he's fired…

]]> Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:46:25 +1200 tim kong https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172950#post172950 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172950#post172950

About 10k Fijian New Zealanders at last Census

Hmm... speaking as one of those 10K, and knowing a few of them – I don't think that connection is really relevant to the sanctions.

The sanctions weren't imposed after discussions with the Fijian community were they? Or with the Fijian-Indian community…

]]> Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:17:35 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172942#post172942 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172942#post172942 obediently removes it. ]]> Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:34:39 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172941#post172941 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172941#post172941

At what point does Australia and NZ's political stance become irrelevant because actually Fiji can just rely on a far bigger player for support.

If the rest of the Pacific Forum ever agree with Fiji's position

]]> Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:14:42 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172939#post172939 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172939#post172939

Apart from Fiji being a play place for the average Australian/Kiwi – who seriously have very little concern for the plight of the locals – what is the connection?

About 10k Fijian New Zealanders at last Census

]]> Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:13:09 +1200 tim kong https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172937#post172937 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172937#post172937

but I'm sure he'll be pushing his Chinese connections to pressure the Fiji powers-that-be who seem to be getting a lot of help from China lately...

That's a fair point – there's a lot of Chinese investment going into Fiji.

At what point does Australia and NZ's political stance become…

]]> Sat, 10 Jul 2010 15:49:31 +1200 Hilary Stace https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172919#post172919 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172919#post172919 Sat, 10 Jul 2010 13:16:24 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172918#post172918 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172918#post172918

people seem concerned, but uneducated on the political issues here too

Poll support for National party increases.

I wish I knew how to change this...

It's called an effective Opposition

]]> Sat, 10 Jul 2010 13:08:34 +1200 Alec Morgan https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172917#post172917 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172917#post172917 Will do the decent thing Graham and respond, I would not touch Fiji tickets with a 40 foot pole, going back to Rambuka days there have been iniatives to help Fiji back onto ‘the path’, none of which have been successful.

Sometimes perhaps you gotta let people sort out their…

]]> Sat, 10 Jul 2010 13:08:32 +1200 Kyle Matthews https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172909#post172909 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172909#post172909 When the new Decree comes into effect (in fewer than three months) journalists must reveal to interviewees whether others will be interviewed in connection with the article. Those interviewed must know when the article will be printed or broadcast, whether it may be edited and whether only part or none… ]]> Sat, 10 Jul 2010 12:25:27 +1200 Ian Dalziel https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172857#post172857 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172857#post172857 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:39:33 +1200 Islander https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172844#post172844 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172844#post172844 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:15:49 +1200 name1 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172841#post172841 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172841#post172841 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:54:43 +1200 BenWilson https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172817#post172817 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172817#post172817

People in New Zealand seem about as concerned as most Fijians, I guess. Or as my wife suggested, it is school holidays so maybe all Public Address readers are in Fiji on holiday with the kids.

Well I'm pretty surprised how relaxed Fijians I have spoken to have been about…

]]> Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:48:51 +1200 Public Address https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172816#post172816 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-fiji-2-the-times-they-are-a-changing/?p=172816#post172816 Discussion from blog post.

]]> Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:48:51 +1200