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A look back at the 2001 Tampa standoff and its lasting legacy, from Australia's Pacific Solution to similar policies adopted by other nations, as well as the personal story of one asylum seeker caught in the system.
The Pacific island nation formerly known as Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, with citizens now referred to as dei-Naoero. The change, passed by parliament in May, aims to honor the country's heritage and move away from a colonial-era name.
A new survey by the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre finds that asylum seekers on Nauru are struggling to afford food and clean water, despite Australia's substantial spending on offshore detention. The report highlights the high cost of living on the island and the inadequacy of the current stipend.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has proposed a Pacific-wide security agreement and condemned China's recent missile test in the region, saying 'this is not something a friend does.' Fiji and Papua New Guinea leaders also voiced objections, signaling a potential shift in regional attitudes toward China.
China test-fired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile with a dummy warhead into the Pacific, landing near the exclusive economic zones of Nauru and Tuvalu. The launch drew sharp criticism from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, while Beijing called it routine.
Australia and Fiji have signed a major defense alliance, the Ocean of Peace Alliance, committing to mutual defense obligations. The pact, signed by Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and Sitiveni Rabuka in Suva, marks Fiji's first alliance and Australia's fourth formal ally. The move is seen as part of Australia's broader strategy to counter China's influence in the Pacific, which has intensified following China's recent test of a nuclear-capable missile in the region.
China launched a strategic missile with a dummy warhead into the Pacific from a submarine, describing the test as routine training conducted safely and with prior notice. Australia condemned the action as destabilising to the region, while the United States and other nations also raised concerns over notice and international norms. Australian officials said they would raise the matter directly with Chinese counterparts.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has announced that the security pact with China, signed in 2022, will remain undisclosed due to a legal non-disclosure clause. Wale, who previously called for transparency, said the binding agreement prevents publication, while he pushes for a new treaty with Australia.
Australia’s High Court ruled that the government cannot use a common law defence to avoid damages for false imprisonment, potentially exposing it to tens of millions of dollars in claims from hundreds of non-citizens held in indefinite detention. The decision follows a landmark 2023 ruling that declared indefinite detention unlawful.
Nauru's government issued a rare statement defending the country as 'friendly' and 'welcoming' amid whistleblower allegations of serious threats of physical violence against non-citizens deported from Australia. The claims, read in parliament by MP Andrew Wilkie, have intensified scrutiny of a $2.5 billion resettlement deal.
Solomon Islands' new prime minister Matthew Wale has agreed to start negotiations on a comprehensive treaty with Australia during his visit to Canberra, while confirming his government will review the contentious security pact with China. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed openness to elevating the bilateral relationship as Wale reiterates a policy of 'friends to all, enemies to none.'
Israel has opened a new embassy in Fiji's capital, Suva, 30 years after the previous one was closed, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar attending the ceremony. The move is part of a broader diplomatic strategy to deepen ties with Pacific nations that have consistently supported Israel, and includes new cooperation agreements on national security and diplomatic training. Israel also announced plans to open a representative office in Papua New Guinea.
The Pacific island nation of Nauru is set to hold a referendum on changing its official name to 'Naoero,' a move the government says will honor the country's heritage, language, and identity. The proposal, passed by parliament, stems from the belief that 'Nauru' is a colonial relic—the result of foreign tongues mispronouncing the native name. The referendum is required to amend the constitution.
Australia has committed $30 million in budget support to help Fiji cope with rising fuel prices, as negotiations on the Vuvale Union security and economic pact near completion. The agreement, which also covers cooperation on drug smuggling and border management, comes amid heightened competition with China for influence in the Pacific.
The entire jury of the Venice Biennale has resigned just days before the event's opening, following controversy over Russia's participation. The resignation has prompted the cancellation of the traditional awards ceremony, with visitor votes to be used instead. The row has drawn criticism from the Italian government and the EU, which has threatened to cut funding.
The US-Israeli conflict with Iran has driven up fuel costs in Pacific Island nations, with Papua New Guinea seeing price hikes of up to 70%. Heavy reliance on diesel and imported fuel, combined with supply disruptions, threatens food security, healthcare access, and economic stability across the region.