Vow on tax law repeal earnings; Samoan murderer's parole delayed; and NZ deployment in Solomons tops 150
Religious tax law repeal 'won't affect' govt revenue
The Samoan parliament has been told repealing a law taxing religious leaders will not affect government earnings.
TV1Samoa reports the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry for Customs and Revenue, Matafeo Avalisa Fautuaali'I, saying that since the introduction of the law in 2018, a total of 180,000 US dollars has been collected from church ministers.
Despite that she said government revenues would not be affected.
The law was introduced by the then HRPP government and only one of the 38 Christian denominations protested.
The Congregational Christian Church in Samoa, the largest denomination in the country, threw its weight behind the FAST party in the April General Election after they promised to repeal the law.
NZ deployment in Solomons tops 150
More than 150 New Zealand Personnel have been patrolling the Solomon Islands near the Capital Honiara, following last month's riots.
In a statement, the Defense Force said just under 60 of its personnel, around 80 Navy crew members and 11 police are part of New Zealand's team on the ground.
The HMNZS Wellington has been patrolling the waters around Guadalcanal.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules transporting vehicles and other equipment and the Ōhakea base this morning. Photo: Supplied / New Zealand Defence Force
New Zealand's presence is expected to last into early January or when stabillity has been established.
Australia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji also have police and military personnel on the ground in Solomon Islands.
Notorious criminal has parole delayed
In Samoa, the police have confirmed that parole for the convicted murderer and drug criminal, Tagaloasa Filipaina, has been deferred to next June.
In 2019 Filipaina was identified by the Ministry of Police as being behind the failed mass prison break out when the prisoners were housed at Tafa'igata, at the time Samoa was preparing for a tropical cyclone.
Deputy Police Commissioner Leiataua Samuel Afamasaga also revealed six prisoners have been released on parole this week, including one convicted of manslaughter.
Traveller tests positive in Pago Pago
In American Samoa, one of the more than 250 travellers who arrived on the December 6 Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu has tested positive for the coronavirus.
American Samoa's Director of Health Motusa Tuileama Nua says the traveller was asymptomatic.
Motusa told KHJ News the all other travellers have yielded negative results.
This is the 11th positive covid test result detected in quarantine since American Samoa resumed commercial flights from Honolulu three months ago.
All of the confirmed cases have been asymptomatic.
The December 6 flight was Hawaiian Airlines' last commercial flight for the year.
Investors should understand Pacific culture first
Private investors looking to join the New Zealand government's Invest-Pacific fund are being urged to understand Pacific culture first.
New Zealand needs to attract $40 million for a fund that will enable projects targeting climate change, sustainability and covid-19 recovery in the Pacific.
But, Pacific Cooperation Foundation Project Manager David Vaeafe said it's important the Pacific way is acknowledged, and the fund has the potential to do a lot of long term good.
"For private investors, they've got to understand how the Pacific works and how the talanoa process works and how things are done. Investing in the US is totally different from investing in the Pacific. That's vitally important for any foreign investor."
French military truck torched
A French military truck has been destroyed in an arson in the north of New Caledonia.
Prosecutors said two individuals carrying a canister of petrol entered a parking area in Poindimie and set the truck alight.
Another vehicle had been doused with petrol but the two were chased away by an officer on guard before they could set it on fire.
He used an extinguisher to prevent the rest of vehicle park catching fire.
Prosecutors said investigators are being sent from Noumea to track down the suspects.
If caught and convicted, they risk jail terms of up to 10 years.
