The Pasifika Australia Community Forum is scheduled for October 30th, 5:30-8:00pm at the Haydon Allen Tank, Australia National University in ACT. (It is just steps from the Student Union building)

The website reference is: http://asianstudies.anu.edu.au/Pasifika_Australia#Our_2008_events
The evening community forum will focus on achievement in the Pacific Islander community. Community members who have excelled in a range of areas will discuss identity issues, and problems and opportunities they encountered. Speakers will include Pacific Islander Australians  who have achieved in the fields of:

    * Community and Church organisation
    * Government
    * Business
    * Sports
    * The Arts
    * Academia

This free event is open to all who are interested, particularly school students and members of the ACT and greater NSW Pacific Islander community.

For more information please contact Liz at Elizabeth.Comrie-Thomson@anu.edu.au .

Refreshments provided.

Confirmed to be on the panel is Cr Mollie Tepane Thomas (Maori), former deputy Mayor of Campbelltown City (NSW) and Samataua Sitagata Hanamenn Hunt (Samoan), President of Pan Pacific Oceania Inc. (QLD). The forum Will be chaired by Dr. Katerina Teaiwa (Banaban/Fiji Islander),
Pacific Studies Convener at the ANU.

_______________________________
Dr. Katerina Martina Teaiwa
Pacific Studies Convener
E4.29 Baldessin Precinct
Faculty of Asian Studies
College of Asia and the Pacific
Australian National University
Canberra ACT 0200
Australia
Ph:   +61 (0) 2 61254323
Fax:  +61 (0) 2 61258326
Cell: +61 (0) 405150334

Government has announced, and published through their website http://www.tonga-now.to the following:

Lao fakaangaanga - Procurement Bill 
 
Policy Decision for the Draft Public Procurement Bill
Purpose: The purpose of this Bill: - legislation and regulation governing the Government Procurement process 

A BILL FOR AN ACT TO PROVIDE A LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR PUBLIC PROCUREMENT IN TONGA AND TO PROVIDE FOR OTHER RELATED MATTERS

Interestingly enough, this has a partial IT solution (or at least the mechanisms of IT assist in providing efficient solutions.) Obviously. Which brings me to some other IT news I'd read through the ether.