Melbourne, Australia: Australia's Trade Minister, Simon Crean says significant progress has been made in recognising the importance of free trade talks between Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific nations.

Auckland, New Zealand: his weekend’s meeting of Pacific trade ministers in Auckland to progress the launch of PACER+ trade negotiations has all the hallmarks of an Australian and New Zealand ambush

Suva, Fiji: Australian and New Zealand Trade Ministers will this weekend attempt to convince their Pacific counterparts to ignore the Islands’ own trade officials and press ahead with a free trade deal

Sydney, Australia: Former Solomon Islands attorney-general Julian Moti has been given until June 1 to submit affidavits from high-ranking officials in his bid to seek a stay of proceedings in a child sex case against him

Canberra, Australia: Australian aid money to Papua New Guinea (PNG) has been misspent on consultants rather than teachers and health services, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said yesterday.

Port Moresby, PNG: Papua New Guinea's prime minister is en route to Australia, where he will hold talks with his counterpart Kevin Rudd and tour bushfire- and flood-affected areas

Canberra, Australia: Lawyers for former Solomon Islands attorney general Julian Moti, who is facing child sex charges, have issued subpoenas to four Australian Government departments or agencie

Honiara, Solomon Islands: Outgoing Australian High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands says that Australia's relationship with the Solomon Islands is now stronger than ever, reports S

Port Moresby, PNG: The Papua New Guinea Government (PNG) spent $1.6 million (US$546,000)on a three-day official visit by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd last year

Port Vila, Vanuatu: One of Australia’s leading geothermal energy companies has been given the right to explore and develop geothermal heat resources in Vanuatu