rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

Situational analysis of drug and alcohol issues and responses in the Pacific
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none 1 per cent, unspecified 1.3 per cent
(1999 Census). A recent AusAID report identified
the potential of churches in Vanuatu to
influence broad-based grass-roots interventions,
which are somewhat hampered by the
competing interests of the different denominations.
938 An ongoing challenge will be to
identify measures to harness the reach and
service delivery experience of the churches to
support drug and alcohol responses. Avoiding
the limitations of competing denominational
interests will also present challenges.
Also significant is the recent inclusion of
Vanuatu in the New Zealand Recognised
Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme. According
to World Bank reports, only 1.5 per
cent of Vanuatu’s population currently lives
abroad 939 — this is significantly low compared
to other Pacific nations. The new RSE
scheme and other similar schemes are likely
to impact on numbers of migrant workers
from Vanuatu. In the 2008 recruitment
round for the RSE, ni-Vanuatu formed the
majority of workers. The contribution of
these employment trends, and any associated
remittances, to the economy of Vanuatu
will emerge only as the program continues
to operate. 940
Government
Vanuatu is an independent, democratic republic
with a 52-member Parliament elected
by the adult population every four years.
The executive consists of a Council of Ministers
headed by the Prime Minister, who is
elected by Parliament from among its members.
The President is elected by Parliament
and the National Council of Chiefs for a
period of five years.
A number of sources describe Vanuatu as enjoying
relative political stability since 2004. 941
The most recent election, in September 2008,
resulted in a change in leadership for the coalition
government. It is too soon to comment
on the stability of the new coalition, but it
is worth noting that the previous leader was
subject to no less than five motions of no
confidence. 942 As in other Pacific nations, the
stability of the government has the potential
to impact on the ability of the government
to develop legislation, policy and interventions
to respond to current and emerging
drug and alcohol issues. Substantial Vanuatu
Government earnings from turnover taxes on
hotels, licensed premises and casinos may also
decrease motivation to enact regulations for
alcohol production and supply.
938 M. Cox et al. (2007), The Unfinished State: drivers of change in Vanuatu. Canberra: AusAID.
Available at: .
939 D. McKenzie, P.G. Martinez & L.A. Winters (2008), Who is Coming from Vanuatu to New Zealand
under the New Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Program? London: Centre for Research and
Analysis of Migration (CReAM). Available at: . Visas are issued for seven months only but workers are able to take repeat
opportunities.
940 Ibid. McKenzie flagged the intention to continue to research the impact of the RSE and the
characteristics of applicants and workers; the 2008 study provided a baseline only.
941 AusAID, Vanuatu Country Brief, available at: (accessed January 2009).
942 Vanuatu Country Report to PILON meetings, 6–10 December 2007; 5–9 December 2008.
Note there was a change of government in September 2008; in June 2009 the Vanuatu
Government survived a no-confidence motion.