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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………………………………………. 3 - 6 CHAPTER 1: POLITICAL AND GOVERNANCE REFORMS ...................................................7 - 9

a. Support National Unity and Reconciliation…………………………………… ……………7 b. Coalition Government Formation and Review Meetings……………………………………8 c. Formation, Operation and Funding of Political Parties……………………………………...8 d. Political Party Leadership Succession Systems…………………………………………… 8 e. Integration of Women in Politics…………………………………………………………….8 f. Foreign Diplomatic Representation………………………………………………………….9

CHAPTER 2: STRENGTHENING CAPACITY FOR APPLYING RULE OF LAW…………9 - 12

a. Strengthen Capacity for Generating Community Awareness on Applying the Rule of Law……………………………………………………………………………………….. .10

b. Strengthen Capacity of Vanuatu Police Force for Community Policing…………………. 10 c. Strengthen Office of Public Prosecutor…………………………………………………… 11 d. Strengthen Role of Ombudsman and Establish a Leaders Tribunal……………………… 11 e. Capacity Building in the Judiciary…………………………………………………………..11 f. Establish Vanuatu Correctional Centers………………………………………………….. 12

CHAPTER 3: STRENGTHENING CAPACITY FOR POLICY COORDINATION…………………………………………………………………………………..12 - 15

a. Strengthen Policy Planning Role of Director Generals………………………………….. 12 b. Amend Government Act to Clarify Policy Coordination Roles of Political

Appointees……………….……………………………………………………………….…13 c. Strengthen the Capacity of Development Committee of Officials………………………….14 d. Strengthen the Capacity of Central Agency Committee…………………………………….14 e. Strengthen Policy Planning and Management Capacity at Area,

Municipal and Provincial Authority Levels…………………………………………….…..14 f. Focus Foreign Policy on Optimum Accessing Aid ………………………………………...15

CHAPTER 4: RESTORING ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.............................................................................................................................15 - 23

a. Restoration of sound fiscal operations ……………………………………………………17 b. Sustaining Financial and Banking Confidence……………………………………………18 c. Expanded Participation in Tourism Industry ……………………………………………..18 d. Strengthening Capacity for Industrial Development ……………………………………..19 e. Strengthening Capacity for Trade and Commerce………………………………………..19 f. Develop Roads to Link Agriculturally Productive Areas and Commercial

Centers……………………………………………………………………………..……..20 g. Develop Port Facilities to Encourage Growth of Shipping Services to Remote

Areas……………………………………………………………………………………...20 h. Develop all Weather Airstrips in all Provincial Centers………………............................20 i. Develop Modern Telecommunications Links Throughout Vanuatu……………………21 j. Develop Commercial Partnerships to Provide Affordable Utility

Services…………………………………………………………………………………..21 k. Strengthening Production Capacity for Food Security…………………………………..21

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l. Capacity Strengthening for Sustainable Land Use………………………………………22 m. Development of Partnerships for Sustainable Development……………………………22

CHAPTER 5: RIGHTS OF CITIZENS AND THEIR EMPOWERMENT…………………………………………………………………………..….23 - 26

a. Human Rights and Self-Determination…………………………………………………21 b. Capacity Strengthening for Improving Welfare of Mothers, Children and

Family………………………………………………………………………………..…22 c. Quality Education and Human Resource Development…………………………….. 22 d. Strengthening Youth, Sports and Training…………………………………………….22 e. Improved Access to Health Facilities and Services…………………………………. 23 f. Care for the Elderly and Disabled…………………………………………………… 23 g. Relevant Labor and Employment Relations………………………………………… 23

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Introduction

Prior to the 2008 general elections the Vanua-aku Pati published its first ever 25 years Vision Document outlining what Pati leaders saw as medium to long term leadership missions to be accomplished at the political and government levels; Pati values, beliefs and principles to drive and guide efforts to establish good governance practices at all levels of society in the country; key national development goals and strategies to be pursued into the foreseeable future; and as key areas of Pati institutional reforms to build capacity for sound leadership and policy development during the twenty-first century.

Whilst the results of the 2008 general elections indicate significant endorsement for the Pati Visions and Missions Pati leaders subsequently decided that selected strategic priorities reflected in the Vision Document should be articulated as Pati Election Policy Platforms every four years, which a VP led governments would be held accountable for realization during its term of office.

This policy platform was developed in the context of the 2012 general election campaign theme of Unity to Fight Corruption and Poverty in Vanuatu. Pati leaders and supporters believe it has become urgent to focus government policy over the next four years on building a national consensus to fight corruption in Vanuatu by way of firm commitments to continue established agendas of political reforms; strengthening capacity in the judicial, legal and amongst community stakeholders for applying the rule of law; strengthening capacity within central agencies of the executive arm of government for effective policy coordination; strengthening capacity of key line ministries and departments for implementing strategies for achieving sustained economic growth; and strengthening capacity for empowering Vanuatu citizens to survive and prosper in an increasingly globalized world.

Following independence Pati election policy platforms were focused on putting in place institutional frameworks of governance for the new Republic of Vanuatu. Objectives and priorities in this regard were pursued until the Comprehensive Reform Program (CRP) was introduced during the mid-1990s. The CRP had focused mainly on strengthening established institutions of governance in the public sector, introduction of the economic development strategy of private sector-led growth and developing capacity for improved service delivery to different segment of communities throughout the country.

Following the CRP stakeholders consultations were carried from late 1990s to early 2000s to identify development priorities in key sectors that would place Vanuatu on a high economic growth path. Thus the Priority Action Agenda (PAA) was formulated, and its key components are the strengthening of fiscal reforms, liberalizing investment policies, introduction of a favorable land market for foreign investment; expanding the aviation sector and de-monopolizing the telecommunications sector. These policy strategies contributed significantly to a steady expansion of economic growth between 2003 and 2007 which was averaging in excess of 5% GDP annually, and went up as high as 7.2% in 2006. Unfortunately this high growth performance could not be sustained up to 2012, especially into key productive sectors of the economy.

The main purpose of the Planning Long and Acting Short (PLAS) four year work program introduced by the VP led government in 2010 was to identify and facilitate growth in key strategic areas such as human resource development, access to finance and banking services, infrastructure development, expansion of tourism facilities and services, agricultural downstream processing and light manufacturing industries.

To revitalize and sustain growth into the future Vanuatu government must once again provide required strategic policy directions for national development, restore confidence conducive to economic growth, and ensure effective delivery of services to facilitate productive activities throughout Vanuatu. Thus the basic purpose of the 2012 Election Policy Platform is to provide strategic directions for updating the PLAS as the government work program for 2012-2016, aimed at revitalizing the momentum of economic growth and development achieved up to 2011.

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The 2012 Election Policy Platform is divided into five main thematic chapters. Chapter 1 focuses on analysis and proposals on what the Pati believes should be done during the next four years towards making our political system more inclusive, participative, transparent, democratic and professional. Political instabilities resurfacing at the end of 2010 reflected the urgent need to reform and strengthen political processes and institutional frameworks that enable leaders to work together to achieve consensus on political and government policy priorities. The Pati had began its own reforms in 2010 aimed at rebuilding its internal political cohesion, ensuring greater democratization within its decision-making processes, and strengthening its capacity to produce men and women leaders capable of building effective partnerships for development.

Through the theme of this policy platform the Pati is calling on leaders of all major political parties to undertake reforms towards building capacity for working together towards preventing corruption from permeating all levels of our governance system and squandering limited available resources for lifting the people of Vanuatu out of poverty. Political reform proposals made in Chapter 1 will be discussed with coalition partners for implementation at the government level after the 2012 general elections.

Chapter 2 focuses on analysis and proposed policy measures to be pursued during the next four years towards restoring confidence in the capacity of government to apply the rule of law in all spheres of development activities in Vanuatu. Our hard working supporters and citizens, donor partners and investors must be convinced that Vanuatu political and government leaders accept the fundamental principle that compliance with the rule of law at all times is a conducive environment for economic growth and sustainable development. Confidence must also be restored in the capacity of our law enforcement agencies for investigating, charging and bring all law breakers before the court of law for fair trails and sentencing.

Proposals are made in this chapter for introducing or maintaining programs of capacity strengthening in the judicial, legal and police sectors aimed at curbing a growing tendency towards lawlessness, and for improving access to judicial and legal services throughout country. The proposed creation of a Leaders Tribunal is aimed at ensuring effectiveness in bringing to justice leaders charged with serious breaches of the law based on evidence contained in the Ombudsman’s reports.

Chapter 3 focuses on analysis and proposals to continue reform measures introduced under CRP aimed at strengthening government policy coordination and implementation capacity at the local, municipal, provincial, national and international levels. As Vanuatu’s economy becomes more integrated with the global economy it will become more pressing to provide policy solutions to domestic issues having international ramifications such as ensuring access to quality and affordable goods and services, sustainable resource use and management, Ni-Vanuatu participation in business development, increased foreign investments in Vanuatu, and labor and employment relations. Effective policy coordination at all levels of administration would enable political and government leaders to decide on policy choices after careful consideration of the costs and benefits of their decisions impacting on the lives of citizens.

The key mechanism set up under the CRP to facilitate informed policy decisions by the Council of Ministers involve civil servants working under the directives of Director Generals to process policy submissions made through the Central Agency Committee, Development Committee of Officials and the Ministerial Budget Committee. The CRP policy coordination mechanism effectively sidelined the role of political appointees in government, and purported to place civil servants as the only policy advisors and implementers within government ministries, departments, specialized agencies and within different levels of local administrations. This model ignores the fact that Ministers are now appointing very experienced former civil servants, well educated and well connected people as their advisors. Hence proposals are made in this Chapter for definition under the Government Act, of the advisory role of political appointees who are there to ensure the government of the day fully implements its policy priorities.

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Civil servants must always remain independent from political interference in order to have effective capacity to implement policies of the government of the day. However the Public Service Commission must employ more modern corporate and strategic planning methods for their competitive recruitment, and for monitoring and evaluating their performance in implementing government policy priorities at the local area administration, municipal, provincial, national and international levels.

Chapter 4 focuses on analysis and proposals that Vanuatu must continue to uphold sound economic policies and improved financial standards that promote economic and financial stability conducive to sound and sustainable economic growth and development. This is in recognition that the task of restoring sustained high economic growth in 2012 into the foreseeable future will be a complex and challenging one indeed. As Vanuatu joins the WTO and graduates into a developing country it will become more challenging to implement national economic development and service delivery priorities. Firstly, the structures of existing local revenue systems will need continual review, updating and improvement into the future. Secondly, effective government capacity will be needed to set development priorities and align these with internationally agreed development goals and targets, in order to access aid and technical assistance available under bilateral and multilateral partnership agreements. Thirdly, increasing inflows of foreign investment will depend on continued integration of internationally agreed growth policy principles and financial standards in national development strategies, which must be understood, accepted and owned by local stakeholders of development.

Whilst a VP led government would continue to maintain the balanced budget fiscal policy adopted since CRP, the policy emphasis on expanding service delivery and infrastructure development make it equally imperative to continue capacity strengthening for domestic revenue generation and collection, ensuring that government may only borrow for productive purposes and for optimizing foreign aid inflows. Given that Vanuatu may not be able to avoid the damning effects of the current financial crisis affecting Euro countries in Europe government must continue to undertake measures to provide a buffer against such severe external crisis.

Facilitating further economic growth will require continued investments in delivery of services and infrastructure development. Proposals are made in this chapter to continue expanding networks of facilities and services in the transportation, communications and utility sectors to better link and service urban centers, provincial administrative headquarters, and economically productive areas. Expanding transport infrastructure to facilitate more frequent and wider movement of people and goods throughout the country requires better prioritization and alignment of priorities for donor funding, especially under the auspices of “aid for trade” facilities of multilateral agreements such as PACER-PLUS, COTONOU, UNCADT and WTO. Private sector investments into expanding networks of communications, electricity and potable water supply would continue to be encouraged, especially into and around emerging provincial headquarters and urban centers throughout the country.

Government must have the capacity to ensure resources are exploited sustainably, especially in terms of fair prices being paid to custom owners, application of modern business management principles and practices in the running of businesses, and utilization of environmentally friendly energy generation technologies. Thus proposals are also made in this chapter for continued capacity strengthening in key government line ministries and departments to assist custom owners in developing businesses on their land, in making more informed decisions on leasing of their lands, in entering joint ventures with foreign investors, and in accessing capital for compensating leaseholders at the expiry of leases – if they so wish. Most importantly are proposals for capacity strengthening in economic oriented line ministries and departments for coordinating more effectively with businesses to develop more products for the local and export niche markets, especially in the manufacturing, agriculture, livestock, fisheries and forestry sectors’

Chapter 5 focuses on the rights of citizens to access economic development opportunities and social services for empowering themselves, as well as for improving the living standards of their families and communities as a whole. Proposals on service delivery in this chapter reflect the view that Vanuatu’s citizens, especially rural dwellers and other disadvantaged segment of the population, have continued to face basic poverty issues in terms of lack or poor

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access to basic administrative services, developed infrastructure, quality education and training, quality public health services, quality sporting and recreational facilities, employment opportunities, expertise and capital for business development, legal services and decision-making affecting their lives.

The Pati is of the view that the basic purpose of national development is to address these access issues, and not the quick enrichment of leaders and their close associates. Unless stopped corruption would ensure the squandering of limited resources available to government for addressing these poverty access issues. Some of these access issues can only be addressed effectively through international cooperation and with partnership support. Lack of access to quality education and training, public health services and disability care are recognized under a number of international agreements as major poverty issues. Thus Vanuatu can continue to access resources made available by donors to meet its MDG education and health commitments, and similar assistance could be pledged by donors under the recently concluded UN Disability Convention to assist member countries strengthen their capacity to care for their disabled citizens.

Finally, as President of the Vanua-aku Pati, I am proud to introduce this Policy Platform for the 2012 general elections. I invite all Pati supporters and citizens of Vanuatu to read these policy platform narratives and policy proposals very carefully, as these stipulate strategic directions of political reform, governance and socio-economic development policies that a VP led government would be committed to pursue after the 2012 general elections.

 Nipake Edward Natapei, President of Vanua-aku Pat                                                      

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CHAPTER 1: POLITICAL AND GOVERNANCE REFORMS Vanua-aku Pati leaders believe that appropriate political reforms must be implemented urgently to address the perennial issue of political instability which has continued to cause significant setbacks in the country’s economic and social development. Political instabilities have continued to occur because leaders of different political parties and their supporters were unable to work together throughout the term of an elected government. The fundamental cause of such instabilities is rooted on the inability of political and government leaders to share common values, beliefs, objectives, goals or visions of life and development. Whilst continued lack of unity amongst political and government leaders reflects the fundamental socio-cultural diversity of Vanuatu society the strong desire of Pati supporters to always defend the independence of the Republic of Vanuatu, to maintain the sovereign right of citizens to determine their future destiny, and to ensure that future generations will be free from poverty had convinced Pati leaders that national unity can be realized in the future. National unity in terms of consensus reached on priorities of national governance and development is critical for underpinning political stability. That is why more inclusive, participative, transparent and democratic systems and processes of governance must be established and strengthened so that decisions on national policy priorities may be made with the understanding, support and ownership of stakeholders. Moreover in our increasingly globalized world there must always be consensus also on how our foreign assistance priorities relate to internationally agreed agendas for development. Lack of clarity or agreement in this regard by leaders would tempt them to personalize foreign relations work focus, and to seek financial support from unscrupulous foreign business interests. Experiences so far indicated that such foreign business interests had interfered in the country’s domestic political processes, did not necessarily want to comply with domestic laws, and their dealings with local leaders served to instigate political instabilities Thus Vanuatu’s foreign policy needs to focus more on strengthening international ties of friendship and cooperation on the basis of shared values, principles, traditions and development priorities. Our Foreign Ministry needs to ensure that our accredited envoys and diplomatic missions overseas have the technical and professional capacity to focus only in representing Vanuatu’s national development priorities in regional and international policy dialogue meetings and multilateral legislative processes. The following political reform proposals are aimed at establishing and strengthening systems and processes of governance that would enable political leaders, their supporters and government agencies to agree on common development goals, cooperate in political and government situations, and work as a team to represent and promote Vanuatu’s national interests overseas.

a. Support National Unity and Reconciliation • In 2009 the VP led government provided funding for the successful convening by the

National Council of Churches (VCC) of a National Reconciliation and Forgiveness Week. Church services and public campaigns were held throughout the country and were successful in getting national leaders involved in the confrontational struggle for independence to pray together and to ask for forgiveness for wrongs they have committed against each other before the people, church leaders and the Almighty God.

• A VP led government after the 2012 general elections would further discuss with the VCC the proposal to convene National Reconciliation and Forgiveness weeks annually, especially with

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the view to establishing program goals and objectives relevant for the purposes of promoting ethical, just, inclusive and participative values and practices of governance in Vanuatu.

• A VP led government would undertake to establish mutually agreed partnership arrangements for the funding of such annual events.

b. Coalition Government Formation and Review Meetings • The process of setting up coalition governments in Vanuatu needs to become more systematic

and policy based, beginning with the practice of organizing coalition formation conferences after the elections and annual performance monitoring and evaluation meetings by coalition partners.

• A VP led government would ensure that the process of setting up coalition governments is negotiated and finalized on the basis of fair sharing of portfolios between the political parties involved, and firm commitments for implementing a government four work program comprised of policy priorities agreed at a coalition formation conference organized by the Prime Minister elect.

• A VP led government would place priority in organizing a mid-term review of progress of implementing the coalition government four year work program.

c. Formation, Operation and Funding of Political Parties • In 2010 the VP led government initiated a Commonwealth Secretariat funded project, in

collaboration with the USP Law School, towards the eventual drafting, for passage in Parliament, of a Political Integrity Bill for Vanuatu. Such a bill would be aimed at regulating the processes of establishing, operating and funding political parties in Vanuatu – which may necessitate relevant amendments of the national Constitution of Vanuatu.

• A VP led government would conduct nation-wide consultations on a draft policy framework for such a bill already developed, which when finalized would provide the briefings for the accrual drafting of the Bill.

• A VP led government would seek the support of all political parties on making consequential amendments to the national Constitution.

d. Political Party Leadership Succession Systems • The amendments to the Pati constitution in 2010 included provisions to limit the terms of all

elected officials to two consecutive terms. The basic rationale of this change is to make the process of changing the Pati leadership systematic, predictable and politically less controversial in the future.

• Given the politically divisive impacts of leadership challenges experienced by major political parties thus far, a VP led government would share the lessons of implementing its leadership succession processes with its government coalition partners, and to actively encourage them to adopt similar systems.

• A VP led government would also encourage its government coalition partners to groom young leaders, integrate them into the systems of their respective parties, and to encourage and support those that have acquired desired political values, beliefs and skills of leadership to replace old leaders.

e. Integration of Women in Politics • The 2010 amended constitution of the Pati included provisions to integrate women in all

levels of its decision-making. The Pati believes that it is a fundamental right of women to be included in party politics, and that their participation in top level politics will further reinforce

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on-going Pati efforts to develop effective partnerships and team work in politics and government.

• The strategy of integrating women at the political party level first is aimed at continuously building teams of women Pati leaders for election into municipal and provincial councils as well as national Parliament into the future. So far women already make up 50% of the membership of Pati Regional Coordination Committees which actually select and screens election candidates for final endorsement by the National Congress.

• A VP led government will continue a pragmatic approach to mainstreaming women in government appointments towards achieving the set target of women making up 50% of the Council of Ministers. The first step to this end is to gain endorsement of this idea by major political parties in the coalition government.

f. Foreign Diplomatic Representation

• The Vanuatu Foreign Service Act set out the goals and objectives of the Vanuatu Foreign Service very clearly. Unfortunately continued appointments of non career diplomats and business people as honorary consuls have resulted in ineffective representation of national interest overseas and implicated national leaders in very shady business oriented ties and issues.

• A VP led government would review the Foreign Service Act towards ensuring that only senior career bureaucrats and trained career diplomats are eligible for appointments as Vanuatu heads of diplomatic missions and diplomatic envoys for accreditation overseas.

• A VP led government would review the Foreign Service Act to prohibit appointment of any foreign national as an overseas representative by any government Ministries or Agencies. All diplomatic, consular, trade and military representatives overseas must be Vanuatu citizens and appointed by the President of the Republic, on the recommendations of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and approved by the Council of Ministers.

• A VP led government would amend the Leadership Code Act to include all appointed foreign representatives as leaders.

• A VP led government would ensure that all appointed overseas representative attend an orientation program organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before deployment overseas, as a fundamental condition of appointment and posting.

CHAPTER 2: STRENGTHENING CAPACITY FOR APPLYING RULE OF LAW One of the main reasons for the weak culture of good governance in Vanuatu is rooted in the tendency to disregard the rule of law in the processes of making decisions about basic things in life, and often in efforts to find short-cuts for accessing development opportunities and resources. However the fact remains that laws are made to protect the rights, freedoms, and properties of all citizens and residents of Vanuatu. It means that when a person breaches a law he or she has in effect jeopardized the rights, freedoms and/or interests of others. That is why law enforcement agencies such as the Vanuatu Police Force, Public Prosecutor Office and the State Law Office must always have effective capacity to dissuade or stop people from breaking the law. They do this in various ways, including by conducting crime prevention awareness campaigns, drafting bills for passage in Parliament to prevent unlawful activities, arresting and charging offenders, and bringing charged persons before a court of law for trial and sentencing.

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However in Vanuatu today the capacity of key government agencies responsible for enforcing the law is seen to be weak for several historical reasons. Firstly, Police investigations of many past widely reported cases had failed to produce evidence files in the required quality, which resulted in the inability of the Public Prosecutor to prosecute such cases in court. Secondly, the inability of the Police and the Public Prosecutor to use evidence of alleged maladministration and corrupt practices by leaders cited in Ombudsman Reports resulted in the leaders concerned to remain unpunished. Thirdly, far too many civil and criminal cases of direct public interest were dismissed by the courts because Public Prosecutor Office attorneys were reported to have failed to turn up in court to prosecute the cases concerned, or because State Law Office attorneys were alleged to have failed to turn up in court to defend cases against government. Fourthly, the failure of government to build the new national court house in Port Vila, and appropriate court houses in Luganville and all Provincial centers, is viewed by many as a form denial of access to justice to the people of Vanuatu. Thus more daring calls have been made to government to strengthen the capacity of our police force, legal services and judiciary to apply the rule of law in order to protect the rights and development interests of all citizens and residents of Vanuatu at all times. The demand by various community leaders for the establishment of police stations in rural communities, demand for further capacity strengthening in the Public Solicitor Office to provide legal services to poorer members of remote communities, and the burning down of court houses in Port Vila and Luganville by criminals are indicators of dissatisfaction that must be taken very seriously by government after the 2012 general elections. Donors and foreign investors have continued to query the level of priority government attaches to protecting personal and corporate property rights and freedoms in Vanuatu. Donors are concerned because the disbursement of their development assistance to Vanuatu is aimed primarily at poverty alleviation, and denial of human rights would be viewed as acts of perpetuating poverty. Foreign investors are concerned because there were expressed concerns that government had not always been consistent in promoting a transparent and conducive environment for private investment, as evidenced by reports of a number of public contracts decisions having been made outside procedures established under the Tender Act Therefore the purpose of strengthening the government capacity to apply the rule of law effectively is strategically important for restoring confidence required for reinstating the momentum of socio-economic growth in Vanuatu. The following proposals constitute the Pati’s policy commitments in this regard.

a. Strengthen Capacity for Generating Community Awareness on Applying the Rule of Law • Values, beliefs and practices of complying with the rule of law at all times cannot be totally

imposed by the threat of punishment handed down by a court of law, especially if the individual concerned has not acquired and internalized these as the result of teaching by parents, chiefs, churches, and other socialization stakeholders in our society.

• The Pati has began its own leadership development process as an integral part of its new annual work program structure, whereby its elected leaders will be required to attend leadership training seminars and workshops focusing on generating awareness and basic understanding of good governance values and principles as complying with rules of the Pati and national laws.

• A VP led government after the 2012 general elections would focus more on developing and strengthening national awareness and training activities aimed at inculcating values, beliefs and practices of complying with the rule of law amongst current and future Ni-Vanuatu generations.

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• A VP led government would further establish and strengthen partnerships, such as with the Law Society and NGOs as the Transparency International, for generating wide community awareness on the strategic importance of always making decisions in line with our traditional rules and customs, our Christian beliefs and the laws of the Republic of Vanuatu.

b. Strengthen Capacity of Vanuatu Police Force for Community Policing • Considerable funding resource is being appropriated annually towards recruiting,

provisioning, training and equipping members of the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), including from donors. A VP led government would ensure the required levels of recurrent budget and aid funds continue to be made available for the maintenance and capacity strengthening of the General Duty Police, Mobile Force and the Maritime Wing of the Vanuatu Police Force to effectively maintain law and order in Vanuatu.

• A VP led government would focus on further developing the Police Academy as a national training center of excellence for producing Vanuatu’s policing manpower, including for selecting candidates to undertake further technical and/or professional studies in specialized areas of police work in overseas tertiary institutions and universities.

• A VP led government would ensure the VPF continues to implement its phased plan for expanding its network of police stations in key community centers throughout the country, from which strategic partnerships with community leaders for combating crimes could be developed and coordinated.

• A VP led government would ensure the VPF continues to strengthen cooperation and intelligence sharing with regional partners such as the Australian Federal Police in order to ensure more effective border surveillance and control, especially with a view to combating such trans-boundary unlawful activities as illegal fishing, drugs and arms trafficking and money laundering.

• A VP led government would ensure the VMF continues to develop technical and professional capability so as to be able to conduct internal law and order duties effectively, to provide community rehabilitation support roles during natural disasters, and to participate in UN peace missions overseas.

c. Strengthen Office of Public Prosecutor • Whilst the Judicial Service Commission has worked diligently over the past few years to

localize the post of the Public Prosecutor, and to recruit law graduates to fill budgeted posts, mounting public concerns about the lack of professional performances by the Public Prosecutor and her staff has become an issue to be addressed urgently.

• A VP led government would consider amending the Judicial Service Commission Act to empower the Commission to be able to recruit the Public Prosecutor more competitively including from overseas, and to be able to place the all senior Public Prosecutor on performance contracts.

• A VP led government would consider it timely for all senior Public Prosecutor Officers to be placed on performance contracts, preferably inclusive of rural posting allowances and increments payable upon satisfactory performance of assigned work outputs.

d. Strengthen Office of Public Solicitor • Although there is increased availability of private lawyers to take up cases citizens want to

take to court, or to represent those who find themselves as defendants in court proceedings, the cost of these services are beyond the reach of average Ni-Vanuatu citizens. Fortunately the Public Solicitors Office exists to represent citizens who cannot afford the services of private

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lawyers. Unfortunately lack of funding resources and qualified personnel had prevented this office from making its services available throughout Vanuatu.

• A VP led government would place high priority on strengthening the capacity of the Public Solicitors Office in line with provisions of the Public Solicitors Act as amended with the view to increasing the number of Public Solicitor Office attorneys to represent poorer citizens in court throughout the country.

• A VP led government would also consider it timely for all Public Solicitors officers to be placed on performance contracts, preferably inclusive of rural posting allowance and increments payable upon satisfactory performance of assigned work outputs.

e. Strengthen Role of Ombudsman and Establish a Leaders Tribunal • The Ombudsman Act provided for the establishment of the Ombudsman’s Office and

stipulated the basic functions of the Office. The first Ombudsman produced many timely reports citing evidence of maladministration and corrupt acts committed by political and government leaders, and recommended punitive actions by appropriate government authorities and the courts. Whilst government had not complied with most of the Ombudsman’s recommendations, the inadmissibility of evidence cited in Ombudsman’s reports in Vanuatu courts has to be recognized as a major constraint.

• A VP led government would amend the Penal Code for the purposes of enabling the courts to allow the use of evidence cited in Ombudsman reports in the prosecution of leaders in corruption cases.

• A VP led government would amend the Ombudsman Act with a view to setting up of a Leaders Tribunal under the supervision of the Supreme Court of Vanuatu to hear leaders’ corruption cases and to sentence those found guilty, and decisions of the Tribunal may only be appealed in the Supreme Court.

f. Capacity building in the Judiciary • Considerable progress had been made in setting up the judicial system of Vanuatu since

independence. The Supreme and Magistrate Courts are now fully constituted in spite of continuing challenges relating to manpower, funding and court house premises and facilities. Special Tribunals in relation to public sector remuneration and customary land rights determination have already been set up under the supervision of the Supreme Court, and one or two more are likely to be set up again.

• A VP led government would continue to place high priority on allocating adequate resources for strengthening the Supreme and Magistrate Courts and expanding their services into all Provincial centers, especially in terms of employment of required number of qualified and experienced court officers.

• A VP led government would continue to place high priority on providing the required funding for constructing the national court house in Port Vila, construction of court houses in Luganville and other Provincial centers, and for ensuring adequate security for court premises throughout the country.

• A VP led government would place priority on strengthening the Land Tribunal by building the capacity of its Secretariat to coordinate its activities with the Malfatumauri and Provincial Councils of Chiefs, organize training for justices and to provide required administrative services.

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g. Establish Vanuatu Correctional Centers • Significant progress has been achieved in setting up the Correctional Service of Vanuatu since

the old prison system established by the colonial powers was abolished a number of years ago. However, correctional services cannot be provided effectively and efficiently in old prison houses built during colonial times. As these facilities are too small the resulting overcrowding and unhealthy living conditions has been causing regular escapes by prisoners.

• A VP led government would place high priority on resurrecting the construction of an aid funded National Correctional Centre in Rangorango near Port Vila, expanding the Luganville Correctional Centre, and consider building holding cells in every community police stations.

CHAPTER 3: STRENGTHENING CAPACITY FOR POLICY COORDINATION Progress in developing effective government capacity for policy coordination continues to be constrained by the unresolved question of whether civil servants or political appointees should be in charge of Ministries, interdepartmental committees, and policy formulation and implementation processes. Nonetheless as government comes under pressure to come up with effective policy responses to address very complex poverty and development issues characterizing our globalized world, our policy making systems and processes must become more inclusive, participative, transparent and professional. Many political leaders continue to prefer political appointees because of their allegiance to political parties in government and loyal to individual Ministers they work for. To be effective however political advisors must also be recruited for their technical skills, professional competency and social interaction skills relevant for policy coordination purposes. Public Servants laws introduced under CRP clarified the roles of Director Generals and civil servants in respect to planning, budgeting and policy coordination within government ministries, departments, as well as in the Central Agency Committee, Development Committee of Officials and the Ministerial Budget Committee. Whilst the Government Act stipulated that political advisors must not interfere in such functions, civil servants must work with political appointees in order to coordinate effective implementation of policy priorities of the government of the day. The Pati believes civil servants and political appointees have legitimate functions in policy coordination, mainly because these two public officials must liaise and coordinate with different policy stakeholders in order to provide relevant advice to the Minister, and to ensure the priorities of the government of the day are implemented in accordance with the law, resource limits and public interest. Thus the following policy initiatives .are designed to facilitate continued strengthening of established policy coordination mechanisms of government established since the introduction of CRP.

a. Strengthen Policy Planning Role of Director Generals • Director Generals and Directors of Departments have developed invaluable experience in

program planning and budgeting, and placement of DGs on contract can facilitate the focusing of their supervisory and managerial roles on implementing programs and projects of priority to the government of the day contained in PLAS.

• A VP led government after 2012 general elections would make sure the Department of Strategic Policy, Planning and Aid Coordination within the PM’s Ministry continues to develop the required capacity to ensure that DGs of line Ministries and Departments focus

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their policy strategy planning and budgeting activities on implementing PLAS priorities, and provide regular reports to the Council of Ministers and the public through publication of the quarterly Development Reports.

• A VP led government would work with the Public Service Commission to introduce a computerized system for appraising the performance of DGs in coordinating the timely implementation of PLAS priorities, and their performance evaluation reports would be stored electronically in the Public Service and Department of Finance data depositaries created for this purpose. Such data would be used for advising Ministers on their contract review and renewal assessments.

b. Amend Government Act to Clarify Policy Coordination Roles of Political Appointees • The Government Act stipulates that political appointees should not interfere in the resources

allocation roles of DGs and civil servants. This emphasis is legitimate and must continue to be maintained. However clarification needs to be made under this act on how civil servants and political appointees should work together in policy coordination work.

• A VP led government would introduce amendments to the Government Act to clarify the policy coordination roles of political advisors in the context of providing policy inputs to DGs and civil servants for the purposes of program planning, budget preparations, interdepartmental meetings and DCO meetings in line with priorities of the government of the day.

• A VP led government would ensure that amendments to the Government Act also clarify the role of political appointees in Ministerial policy consultation processes aimed at ensuring that key stakeholders are included and allowed to participate effectively in the formulation of sectoral policy strategies.

• New provision would also be made to the Government Act to facilitate regulation of how political appointees may represent foreign interests in interdepartmental and DCO meetings at the expressed instruction from a Minister

c. Strengthen the Capacity Development Committee of Officials • The Development Committee of Officials (DCO) continues to meet regularly to ensure that

policy submissions made by Ministries to the Council of Ministers (COM) for decision are adequately researched, inherent issues are analyzed, proposed policy strategies do not have unacceptable recurrent costs, proposal made are in line with existing laws, and options for decision are clearly set out. Moreover the DCO deliberation format also needs to ensure assessment of political implications of decision being sought from COM, especially in terms of whether the policy priorities of the government of the day would be met satisfactorily.

• A VP led government would have amendments made to the Government Act to include First Political Advisors to Ministers as official members of the DCO, whose main responsibility is to brief the Minister on DCO agenda issues, receive instructions from the Minister on such issues, and to represent any policy stand of the government of the day during DCO discussions.

d. Strengthen the Capacity of Central Agency Committee • The Central Agency Committee (CAC) is a key policy coordination body set up under the

Government Act to coordinate government wide support and reconcile diverging policy views and priorities on the basis of relevant research and analysis, before a given ministerial policy submission goes before the Development Committee of Officials for recommendation to the Council of Ministers for approval.

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• A VP led government would amend the Government Act to focus the role of the CAC on coordinating consensus between central agencies and line Ministries/Departments on the priority of sectoral development strategies and investment projects, mainly by way of facilitating better aligning of their funding requirements with recurrent budget financing priorities, foreign aid priority focus and potential economic benefits.

• A VP led government would amend the Government Act to reconstitute the CAC as follows: Chaired by the Director of the Department of Strategic Policy, Planning and Aid Coordination, and other members would include the Director of Finance, Director of Foreign Affairs; and Director(s) of other stakeholder Departments attending CAC meetings by invitation.

e. Strengthen Policy Planning and Management Capacity at Area, Municipal and Provincial Authority Levels • Continued lack of development program planning and effective management of funds at

municipal and provincial levels, especially by authorities set up by political parties in power at the national level, are signs of poor policy planning and coordination. Policies introduced by the national government should provide the strategic framework for the planning and coordination of community based development projects and services.

• A VP led government would place high priority on continuing and strengthening programs already implemented by the Department of Local Government, Public Service Commission and line Ministries for developing corporate and strategic planning systems and practices at the Municipal and Provincial government levels.

• A VP led government would ensure that capacity for program planning and corporate management are also developed at Municipal and Provincial administrations levels. Performances of civil servants recruited or seconded to local authorities must be appraised regularly by the Department of Local Government or line Ministries/Departments concerned, especially on the basis of program/project priorities introduced by the government of the day.

• A VP government would continue to work in close partnership with Provincial Governments to set Area Councils in every provinces; to mobilize funding resources for developing basic office premises and facilities for Area Councils; and to coordinate project planning consultations and implementation activities.

f. Focus Foreign Policy on Optimum Accessing of Aid • When Vanuatu graduates into a developing country our access to grants and concessionary

loans to fund our development priorities will no longer be as generous and untied as we currently enjoy. Bilateral and multilateral financing facilities will become increasingly oriented to supporting Vanuatu implement internationally agreed development goals and targets as those contained in MDG, WTO and the Pacific Plan.

• A VP led government would set the task of gaining optimum access to bilateral and multilateral financing a top foreign policy objective. Bilateral relations with developed countries would become oriented to establishing partnership agreements focused on assisting Vanuatu government formulate and implement development strategies and programs in line with internationally agreed goals and targets of poverty alleviation.

• A VP led government would ensure that our established diplomatic missions overseas are accredited to key regional and international organizations that coordinate implementation of technical and economic assistance of interest to Vanuatu, and that such diplomatic offices are sufficiently staffed and resourced to cover and report regularly on how government could access such assistance.

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CHAPTER 4: RESTORING ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELEOPMENT All economies whether rudimentary, transitional or advanced, have to maintain persistent economic growth in real terms in order to be able to meet the basic requirements of a country’s growing population. Faced with a depressed economic situation encountered earlier, Vanuatu undertook a Comprehensive Reform Program (CRP), which led to a substantial economic recovery in 2003 as evidenced by a growth rate of 3.2 percent. The economy continued to grow in real terms thereafter in 2004 and 2005, reaching a peak of 7.2 percent in 2006. It declined slightly though remained high at 6.8 percent and 6.3 percent in 2007 and 2008 respectively. In 2009 the rate of economic growth dropped significantly though remained positive at 3.5 percent in 2009. It continued to decline to 1.5 percent in 2010 and remained low at 2.5 percent in 2011. Restoring growth to a high performance path in the foreseeable future remains a priority policy objective, though a challenging one indeed at this economically uncertain time. Strategies in this regard must factor in the causes of the slow down, as well as how government should respond to factors involved. The current global economic situation, especially in the European euro zone area where debt crisis remains the biggest threat, is showing signs of further downturn. These will certainly affect developing countries, including Vanuatu, and therefore government must urgently undertake effective policy measures to provide a buffer against such severe external crisis. Although the global economic situation has been the major cause of the slowing down of our growth performance since 2007, domestic factors also imposed significant adverse impacts. Political instability continued to impact negatively on the country’s economic performance, and needs to be addressed urgently. Thus proposals are made in this policy platform to restore confidence, especially in the capacity of government to apply the rule of law. Government finance continues to face significant difficulties over recent years. In 2010 Government expenditure exceeded Government revenue by one billion eight hundred and thirty five million vatu. Fiscal deficit remained high in 2011and continued to be financed mainly by the sale of Government bonds. It is unreasonable to continue spending beyond our means as the borrowings currently incurred will have to be repaid with interest in some future date, which will add further pressure on our future recurrent expenditure. It is therefore strategic that government capacity for revenue generation and collection be kept under continued review and strengthened into the future. One major reason for low government revenue, especially in 2011 was the reduction in donor funding which impacted severely on overall government revenue, dropping from 16,997 million vatu in 2010 to 15,305 million vatu in 2011. Restoring the desired level of our aid inflow would require better prioritization of our national development objectives, especially in terms of aligning these with internationally agreed development goals and targets as those enunciated under the Pacific Plan and MDGs. Meanwhile it must be borne in mind that our graduation into a developing country status will disqualify us from receiving some of the grants and concessionary loans that were available to us as a least developed country. The level of interest rates determines the extent of borrowing by the general public and business sector to undertake investment activities that directly generate growth. Lending by commercial banks has been growing since 2007. In 2011, commercial banks lending increased by approximately nine percent. Interest rates and commercial banks profitability are assessed to be reasonable in the Pacific. A recent study by Matt Devies and John Vaught published by PFTAC indicated that lending rates and interest rate spreads and profitability of the commercial banks in the Pacific, including Vanuatu are generally in line with comparable countries in the Caribbean, South Asia and Africa. Lending rates of banks in Vanuatu are higher than Fiji and lower than Solomon Islands, Tonga and Samoa. In consideration of all sources of

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income, overall profitability of banks in the Pacific is higher than comparable region due to substantial income from foreign exchange operations. It would appear from experiences that in Vanuatu the foremost determining factor in as far as investment is concerned, is not so much the interest rate but accessibility to capital. Apart from exchange risks, inflation rate is a very important risk to the financial sector. In Vanuatu, the rate of inflation has generally been maintained at an acceptable level. With the constraints in the country’s financial resources the VP led government implemented in 2008 the PLAS which identified and selected key sector areas of development as priority areas to generate and sustain growth. One of those key areas was the development of road infrastructure, which began with the Efate ring road funded by the US government. This led to establishment of a fifteen year Vanuatu Transport Sector Strategic Plan (VTSSP), with projects being implemented on the islands of Malekula, Tanna and Ambae with funding from AusAID. Infrastructure development is highly essential in that it establishes the foundation upon which private sector development is able to flourish. It is crucial also that road maintenance is given due attention and appropriate budget allocated for this purpose annually. With budget constraints we face every year and the threat to existing infrastructure developments imposed by climate change and the associated problem of sea level rise, we need to be more proactive in the way we deal with growing demands infrastructure development and maintenance. We need to strengthen our capacity to access available funds pledged by our donor partners under climate change mitigation programs, which are not being utilized by many developing countries like Vanuatu. One of the major economic growth strategies implemented by the VP led government after coming to power in 2008 was aimed at boosting tourism development. Tourism was long identified as one of the most important economic growth sectors, yet little work was done specifically to boost Ni-Vanuatu participation in its development and growth. A significant initiative in this regard began with the reduction by 50 percent of the government wharfage fee, which resulted in massive increases in cruise ship arrivals each year since 2008. Although arrivals by air has experienced fluctuations in recent years, cruise ship arrivals continued to increase by 24 percent, 17 percent, 13 percent and 10 percent in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively. Further development of tourism should also be focused on expanding development of facilities, services and markets for local products to facilitate increased participation of Ni-Vanuatu. During the next four years a Pati led government will continue to uphold such sound economic policies and improved financial standards that promote economic and financial stability conducive to sound and sustainable economic growth and development. However such sustainable socio-economic development policies must also integrate mitigation strategies that address pressures placed on land and other resource use and management by such factors as Vanuatu’s rapidly growing population and economic development. To address such factors effectively Vanuatu must also commit itself to evolving international partnership agendas and agreements aimed at addressing the causes and catastrophic impacts of global warming, sea level rise and climate change. The following policy proposals constitute a Pati led government’s commitments to restoring economic growth for sustainable development into the foreseeable future.

a. Restoration of Sound Fiscal Operations • It has been a policy of VP led governments since the introduction of CRP to establish and

strengthen the capacity to align government expenditure with government revenue in favor of a more balanced budget approach. All borrowings are only to be for productive purposes.

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• A VP led government would place priority on conducting a review to tighten existing revenue collection measures and asses the efficiency of our current taxation system, especially the aging import duties and implement changes where appropriate

• A VP led government would introduce measures to strengthen alignment of fiscal operation with monetary policy to create greater compatibility between government spending and monetary management.

• A VP led government would place very high priority on developing capacity to access donor funding available regionally and internationally.

• A VP led government would place a particular priority on improving programs and project planning process and procedures so as to facilitate Vanuatu’s access to climate change funds.

• A VP led government would place priority on policy coordination to ensure that all national government agencies, provincial councils, municipal councils and area councils adopt prudent budget management practices

b. Sustaining Financial and Banking Confidence • Consequence upon the successful implementation of the country’s monetary policy

framework following the VNPF crisis, the financial sector has been relatively stable with foreign reserves remaining at an average rate of six months import cover, low inflation rate and generally stable exchange rate. The Reserve Bank would however have to regularly review the exchange rate basket to ensure that fluctuations in the rate of vatu sufficiently reflect changes in the value of other important currencies.

• A VP led government would ensure persistence of sound monetary policy to ensure that stability and confidence are sustained in the economy.

• A VP led government would undertake regular review of the mechanics of the country’s exchange rate regime to preserve confidence in the vatu.

• A VP led government would maintain good management of price stability. • A VP led government would continue to maintain sound external position to sustain the

country’s financial stability. • A VP led government would ensure the independence of the country’s monetary authority. • A VP government would place priority on improving financial arrangements to encourage

growth.

c. Expanded Participation in the Tourism Industry • Tourism was developed initially as an urban oriented industry relying on available trained

local manpower, relatively developed infrastructure and easily available imported supplies for the construction and operation of hotel facilities and services. However as its contribution to GDP rose as high as 20% in 2011, employing approximately 4000 full time employees, and earning as high as 20 billion vatu in tourism receipts per annum it has come to be recognized as a key growth sector of the economy. Hence VP believes that expanding the industry to every provinces is a high economic development priority.

• A VP led Government would place priority on a reviewing the Tourism Development Master Plan formulated in 1997, especially with the view to positioning growth in the sector as a catalyst to the development of other economic productive sectors throughout Vanuatu.

• A VP led government would place high priority on developing the Santo International Airport as a hub for receiving long haul flights from Asian destinations, and for precipitating development of enormous potential in the northern provinces of TORBA, SANMA, MALAMPA and PENAMA for tourist development.

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• A VP led Government would place priority on establishing a microfinance facility within the National Bank of Vanuatu to provide capital for tourism development, with a view to improving access to capital by Ni-Vanuatu investors.

• A VP led government would continue to diversify its tourist markets towards promoting the tourist cruise ship industry in Vanuatu, especially by way of developing and opening up new cruise ship destinations in Ureparapara (TORBA), Maewo (PENAMA), Ranon (MALAMPA), Epi (SHEFA) and Port Resolution (TAFEA).

• A VP led government would place priority on introducing strategies for increasing the local content of requirements for operating hotels and resorts, given that the industry now relies on imports for up to 80% of all its requirements.

• A VP led Government would initiate discussion with the industry towards strengthening the Hospitality Trade and Leisure Training Centre (HTLC) as the key institution to train Ni-Vanuatu wanting to enter the tourism trade and industry

d. Strengthening Capacity for Industrial Development • Private sector investments must continue to be encouraged into building and expanding local

capacity to produce goods and services for the local and international markets, ideally in line with government policy strategic directions.

• A VP led government would continue to strengthen the capacity of the Department of Industry to develop and implement an Industrial Sector Strategy, which must be aimed mainly at identifying and promoting areas of manufacturing and down-stream processing where there are clear comparative advantage, especially in terms of available local and/or international niche markets.

• A VP led government would place a particular priority on expanding local manufacturing of food and beverage products towards meeting growing demands generated by the tourism industry.

• A VP led government would place priority on capacity strengthening in the Departments of Agriculture and Fisheries, and extension services and research agencies under their respective purview, to focus more on coordinating with private investors to develop more products for export, especially in the area of food packaging and processing.

• A VP led government would focus more on strengthening the capacity of the Department of Forestry to assist custom owners develop forestry plantations of high timber value as kauri, exotic commodities as sandal wood, and of other species that could be used to generate carbon credits for export.

e. Strengthening Capacity for Trade and Commerce • In the past locally made products such as beer, dairy and coffee products were produced

initially for the local market, before government and donor support were sought for overseas marketing promotion. However, lack of success in ensuring competitive advantage of local products in the market remained a fundamental issue. As a member of the Pacific Island Forum, ACP, UNCTAD and WTO and other related agencies Vanuatu has access to a range of “aid for trade” funding and technical assistance facilities for national capacity building to benefit more from regional and international trade agreements and WTO.

• A VP led government would place priority on strengthening the capacity of the Department of Agriculture to continue providing assistance to farmers in finding markets for their produce and livestock in Port Vila and other centers, with a view to encouraging farmers to produce commercially to meet generated demands on a sustained basis.

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• A VP government would strengthen the capacity of the Department of Cooperatives to assist farmers form producer co-operatives in order to build the required capacity to meet .local and export demands for agriculture produce and livestock products on a sustained basis.

• A VP led government would place priority on reviving the cattle industry in Vanuatu to ensure production keeps up with local and export demands over the next ten years, especially in terms of providing appropriate incentives for more small holders in islands outside Santo and Efate to engage in cattle farming on a commercial basis..

• A VP led government would place high priority on revitalizing the National Food Testing Center, secure full use of Au Bon Marche product treatment plant and capacity strengthening of the Quarantine Department, in order to restore full capacity for testing, treating and certification of products for export to meet European and Australian/New Zealand sanitary and quarantine requirements.

• A VP government would ensure that local businesses engaged in production for export have access to credit facilities through existing arrangements

f. Develop Roads to Link Agriculturally Productive Areas and Commercial Centers • Significant strides have been made in constructing networks of rural and urban roads

throughout the islands since independence in 1980, mainly to link main human settlements with administrative centers, shipping landings, airports, educational and health establishments. In 2007 work began on the construction of tar-sealed roads round Efate and to East Santo to provide fast links by road between Port Vila/Luganville and surrounding tourism and agriculturally productive areas.

• A VP led government would continue to place top priority on developing roads to link agriculturally productive areas so as to improve farmers’ access to markets.

• A VP led government would continue to ensure that emerging commercial centers and economically productive areas are better linked by roads.

• A VP led government would continue to strengthen the capacity to expand urban tar-sealed roads, and to improve maintenance of existing roads.

• A VP led government would relocate where necessary existing roads affected by climate change

g. Develop Port Facilities to Encourage Growth of Shipping Services to Remote Areas • The desire for Ni-Vanuatu to own and operate local shipping services must take into

consideration the lack of port facilities in strategic locations, and hence the real costs of providing such services into remote areas. Whilst facilities as wharves and jetties can be built, the actual provision of shipping services throughout the country must depend on the growth of economic activities in all provinces to generate business for shipping services.

• A VP led government would ensure the timely implementation of the ADB/NZODA/VANGOV funded Vanuatu Inter-island Shipping Project aimed at constructing and repairing wharves on Tanna, Efate, Malekula, Santo, Ambae and Pentecost and establishing a scheme for subsidized and regular shipping services to particular remote areas.

• A VP led government would continue to encourage tourist cruise liner operators such as P&O to extend and establish ports of calls outside Port Vila and Luganville, with the view to recruiting their agreement to build wharves and jetties in different islands.

• A VP led government would place high priority on repairing, expanding and modernizing the Luganville wharf.

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h. Develop all Weather Airstrips in all Provincial Centers • So far tar-sealed airports have already been constructed in Lenakel, Port Vila, Pekoa, Longana

and Lonoro making it possible for provisions of greater capacity passenger and cargo services to these provincial centers. Unfortunately acquisition of the ATR 72 aircraft by Air Vanuatu meant that the Lenakel, Longana and Lonoro airstrips have to be further extended before the aircraft can land and to take-off fully loaded at these airstrips.

• A VP led government would continue to place high priority on developing all weather airstrips in all provincial centers to facilitate expansion of the tourism industry to all the islands, and ensure expanded capacity for air transporting of cargoes and produce to and from these centers.

• A VP led government would continue to liaise very closely with Air Vanuatu to ensure the fleet of aircrafts likely to be used by the company in the near future can actually land and take-off fully loaded in the airstrips to be further constructed.

• A VP led government would continue to place high priority on strengthening capacity for the management and maintenance of existing airfields

i. Develop Modern Telecommunications Links throughout Vanuatu • The deregulation of telecommunications services and introduction of another service provider

by the VP led government, resulted in the expansion of network coverage from 15% to over 75% of the population and in very significant lowering of costs to consumers.

• A VP led government would continue to maintain the policy of ensuring that multiple players are involved in the expansion of communication network coverage to include the entire population of Vanuatu as soon as possible.

• A VP led government would continue to ensure that different service providers are allowed to invest in the provision of different modern ICT systems and products to meet the growing communications needs of government administration agencies, training institutions, hospitals and health centers, businesses and other consumers throughout the country.

j. Develop Commercial Partnerships to Provide Affordable Utility Services • Whilst the people of Vanuatu value reliable services of electricity and water supplies being

provided by private firms in an around urban centers in the country, most citizens are concerned that costs of these utilities are very high. The establishment of the Utility Regulatory Authority (URA) by the VP led government marks the beginning of efforts to ensure that service providers are transparent and accountable in their operations and pricing systems.

• A VP led government would continue to ensure that extensions of current concession arrangement for the generation of electricity and provision of water supplies, especially into new residential, commercial and industrial areas in and around urban areas are facilitated through competitive processes as stipulated by law, especially the Tenders Act.

• A VP led government would continue to explore with investors the application of clean and renewable energy technologies for generating electricity on a commercial basis, especially outside the main urban centers such as with the Takara Geothermal project.

k. Strengthening Production Capacity for Food Security • The subsistence sector of the economy still remains important and dominant amongst every

island communities in Vanuatu. Every island communities have continued to produce food crops and rear livestock using know-how and techniques, which need adaptation to suit increased level of consumption needs and changing climatic conditions. Climate change is

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affecting the capacity of major producers of food in the world, and this is already causing the prices of imported food to rise dramatically.

• A VP led government would place priority in strengthening the capacity of the Departments of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries to better coordinate the activities of extension services and research institutes under their purview, to develop better varieties of food crops, fruits and breeds of livestock that can be introduced and farmed in different islands to meet their subsistence needs.

• A VP led government would ensure that development of large scale commercial plantation projects would not deprive landowners and communities of arable land for their subsistence agriculture and market farming needs.

• A VP led government would continue to strengthen the capacity of the Departments of Fisheries and Environment to work together with chiefs, custom owners and communities in sustainable management of on-shore fishery resources.

l. Capacity Strengthening for Sustainable Land Use • Continued corruption generated in land leasing land processes made the task of implementing

resolutions passed by the Land Summit convened in 2008 a priority government policy objective. Unfortunately the AusAID funded “Mama Graon” project designed to spearhead implementation of the resolutions was formulated by an Australian consultancy firm without consulting Ni-Vanuatu experts on traditional and contemporary land tenure.

• A VP led government would place priority on implementing land use policies that ensure continued strengthening of government capacity to assist custom owners make their lands available for subsistence and commercial development purposes on terms of maximum benefits to them and their future generations,

• A VP led government would introduce legislation to prohibit the Minister of land from making any commitments on sale of public lands without prior approval by the Council of Ministers.

• A VP led government would place priority on planning the expansion of existing urban centers and establishment of new ones, especially to accommodate rural migrant population towards addressing the growing problem of squatter settlements in peri-urban areas.

• A VP led government would be committed to continued capacity strengthening of the land tribunal, especially in terms of training of justices and provision of support for timely implementing their decisions.

• A VP led government would review and strengthen existing processes and procedures for leasing of rural lands with a view to ensuring that no lease could be negotiated until the customary ownership is confirmed by the Land Tribunal.

• A VP led government would place priority on developing required capacity for ensuring stricter compliance with terms and conditions of agricultural leases, especially to ensure that no further prime agricultural properties are sub-divided and sold for private residential purposes.

• A VP led government would place priority on commissioning a study into how Ni-Vanuatu custom owners could effectively exercise their legal rights upon expiry of leases, especially in terms of different ways custom owners could compensate leaseholders for improvements made on their land.

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m. Development of Partnerships for Sustainable Development • Sustainable development emphasizes a holistic, equitable and far-sighted approach to

decision-making at all levels. It emphasizes not just strong economic performance but intergenerational equity.

• A VP led government would place priority on fostering community partnership for sustainable management of land and marine on-shore resources, especially to ensure that valuable features of islands and fragile ecosystems providing sustenance to communities for thousands of years are not irreparably altered by public infrastructure development or commercial harvesting schemes.

• A VP led government would continue to investigate opportunities for reducing carbon pollution through setting up of carbon farming initiatives, especially by helping custom owners in the forestry sector to generate credits that can be sold to big overseas businesses wanting to offset their own carbon pollution.

• A VP led government would continue to support international cooperation in addressing global warming by promoting private sector investments in the application of clean energy for generating electricity, improvement of efficiency in energy use and in reducing Vanuatu’s dependency on fossil fuels.

• A VP led government would continue to be an active party in regional and international partnership reporting and assessments under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Changes on developing national projects for adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change and sea level rise - such as in terms of cyclone rehabilitation, repairs and maintenance of infrastructure damaged by flooding and coastal erosion, water supply facilities in drought stricken island communities, fortification of shorelines to protect administrative facilities, and relocation of villages in inundated islands or coastal areas.

CHAPTER 5: RIGHTS OF CITIZENS AND THEIR EMPOWERMENT

In their vision for leading New Hebrides into an independent Republic of Vanuatu our founding fathers saw our people being free and being able to lead worthwhile, prosperous and happy lives into the future. They had rejected the Anglo-French colonial rule because Ni-Vanuatu were denied their inalienable right to enjoy dignified lives, to own and develop their customary lands and resources thereon, and to enjoy better standards of living in their homeland. They established the national constitution to grant and guarantee the rights of Vanuatu citizens to govern themselves, to guarantee custom owners perpetual ownership of their land and resources thereon, and to institute basic administrative frameworks for delivery of quality services to every corner of the country. However, thirty two years after independence the people of Vanuatu are still faced with basic poverty issues in terms of the lack of or poor access to basic administrative services, developed infrastructure, quality education and training, quality public health services, quality sporting and recreational facilities, employment opportunities, expertise and capital for business development, justice and decision-making affecting their lives. This is in spite of government allocating considerable amount of resources over many years to address these poverty issues Nonetheless the Pati continues to believe that the fundamental purpose of national development is to eliminate these access constraints, and not to enrich individual leaders and their close associates. Because of the complex nature of such poverty many could only be effectively addressed through international

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support and collaboration. Thus government must continue to develop the capacity to honor Vanuatu’s pledges on poverty alleviation as those made under the Pacific Plan, MDGs and international agreements on sustainable development. Government social and economic development policies must continue to focus on empowering Ni-Vanuatu to improve their standards of living. To this end the Pati believes priority must continue to be placed on empowering all Vanuatu citizens to improve their standards of living through education and training, quality health services, being engaged in professional careers, accessing quality services and enjoying quality partnerships for development domestically and internationally. The following policy proposals constitute the Pati’s continuing commitment on empowering citizens to improve their standards of living.

a. Support Human Rights and Self-Determination for All • The rights of citizens enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu were adapted

from such international agreements and conventions as the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the UN Charter. These include the rights to lead dignified and worthwhile lives, to participate effectively in national affairs, and to be included in governance processes at all levels of Vanuatu society.

• A VP led government after the 2012 general elections would continue to safeguard the rights of citizens especially in terms of ensuring protection of basic freedoms of movement and expression, ensuring equitable access to economic development opportunities and resources, and effective inclusion of vulnerable groups in decision-making processes that directly affect their lives.

• A VP led government would continue to pursue the foreign policy stance which encourages Vanuatu citizens to express and demonstrate solidarity with other peoples in the world, especially within the Asia/Pacific region who are still denied their human rights, especially in terms of their right to self-determination achieved in accordance with UN principles and due processes.

b. Capacity Strengthening for Improving Welfare of Mothers, Children and Family • Reducing infant and mother mortality rates during and after childbirth constitute key MDG

targets that Vanuatu is striving to achieve, and success in this regard would not only facilitate access to aid resources but also constitute a significant milestone in improving the welfare of mothers and children.

• A VP led government would further strengthen policy and administrative capacity across government to ensure that sustained progress is being made towards achieving these MDG targets. Ensuring the health of mothers and children is an important cornerstone of family welfare and development in Vanuatu modern society.

• A VP led government would place high priority on developing policy frameworks for establishing a Family Tribunal to ensure that application of the Family Protection Act continues to remain focused on ensuring the well-being of all members of the family.

c. Quality Education and Human Resource Development • Ensuring universal primary education and gender balance in secondary education enrolment

by 2015 are key MDG targets for Vanuatu. To facilitate achievement of these targets a VP led government introduced in 2010 the strategy of gradually increasing direct grants to all primary schools to cover all school fees payable by parents by 2015.

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• A VP led government after the 2012 general elections would continue the policy of subsidizing primary school fees, and to review in 2015 the possibility of extending this grant support for secondary schools as well.

• A VP led government would ensure continued implementation of the Vanuatu education sector strategy through SWAP aimed at improving the quality of education for each child in Vanuatu into the future.

• A VP led government would continue to place high priority on developing and implementing a human resource plan aimed at ensuring a coordinated approach to increasing the output of qualified manpower in critical areas of social economic development.

d. Strengthening Youth, Sports and Training • The VP led government introduced in 2008 the policy emphasis of strengthening capacity for

a holistic support of youth development and development of sports for all. • A VP led government would continue to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Youth,

Sport and Training for policy coordination, especially to ensure effective planning and provision of quality technical and vocational training for young people by training providers, with the support of donors and employers in productive sectors of the economy.

• A VP led government would place high priority on coordinating with churches, businesses, NGOs and other organizations to implement youth development strategies and programs aimed at orienting young people away from undesirable behavior, dissuading young people from developing bad habits of substance abuse, and encouraging young people to learn leadership values and practices.

• A VP led government .would continue to encourage development of strategic partnerships for developing sport disciplines that Vanuatu sport men and women excel at, especially in terms of establishing aid and/or business funded outreach programs to identify and develop young talents to compete in local and international competitions..

• A VP led government would place high priority on developing the required facilities, as well as ensuring administrative preparations, for hosting the Mini South Pacific Games in 2017.

e. Improved Access to Health Facilities and Services • Strengthening the capacity of National Health Ministry to formulate and implement a new

National Health Policy and Structure which was introduced in 2008 by a VP led government. A VP led government after the 2012 general elections would place high priority on implementing priorities identified under the new Policy such as up-grading and constructing new health infrastructures.

• A VP led government would continue to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Health to coordinate provision of quality public health services for all, including in remote parts of the country.

• A VP led Government would continue to place particular emphasis on meeting the MDG targets relating to combating HIV/AIDs, eradication of Malaria – as well as preventing non-communicable deceases.

• A VP led government would continue to strengthen the capacity of main referral hospitals in the country to treat common ailments, and to refer patients for specialist treatment overseas.

• A VP led government would continue to place high priority on investing in the training of doctors and nurses towards ensuring that rural mini hospitals, health centers and dispensaries throughout the country are adequately staffed and run.

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f. Care for the Elderly and Disabled • As the Vanuatu population become more urban based many traditional safety-net norms and

practices for caring for the elderly and disabled, especially in the context of the extended family system, will disappear. Medical care for the retired and elderly residing with families in towns, especially amongst low income families, is currently limited to free basic hospital consultation and provision of drugs for common ailments. Specialist medical care for the elderly and rehabilitation training for the disabled are not available in the country.

• A VP led government would ensure a study is conducted to investigate options for introducing health insurance scheme (s) which all workers in Vanuatu would be obliged to contribute to, and would access to cover costs of specialist medical treatment overseas that cannot be provided in Vanuatu hospitals.

• A VP led government would place priority on undertaking its obligations and responsibilities under the UN Convention on Disability, especially in terms of introducing laws to establish standards of the built environment and public services for taking into consideration the special needs of disabled members of our communities everywhere in Vanuatu.

• A VP led government would provide annual subventions to assist the running and work program of the Vanuatu Disabled Society, and to assist the Society in building strategic partnerships such as with donors and the private sector to support its work programs.

g. Relevant Labor and Employment Relations • In 2008 the VP led government introduced the policy focus on creating better environment for

promoting employment opportunities, which prioritizes strengthening training programs aimed at expanding the range of trade skills in Vanuatu and strengthening initiatives of employment opportunities overseas.

• A VP led government would continue this policy emphasis, especially with the view to ensuring that our growing professional and skilled work force would continue to be able to compete successfully in our domestic labor market.

• A VP led government would review the current minimum wage system, with a view to introducing different minimum wage rates for different sectors of the employment market. This is to ensure that workers with different skills and competencies can be offered commensurate minimum rates of remuneration.

• A VP led government would continue to seek the expansion of the seasonal worker scheme with New Zealand, and establishing other overseas seasonal employment opportunities such as with Australian and the US horticultural interests.

• A VP government would place high priority on reviewing the draft Labor and Employment Act for submission to Parliament, especially towards ensuring that key aspects of Vanuatu’s modern labor and employment relations such as import of foreign workers are appropriately regulated.