On the program today: Wednesday
A health and security expert is urging the Australian government to move fast in response to the surge of COVID-19 cases in Papua New Guinea. Professor Leanne Robinson at the Burnet Institute says Australia has "days not weeks" to sort out its health strategy for PNG.
Speculation continues to mount in Papua New Guinea over what shape a proposed COVID-19 "isolation strategy" will take. PNG's Prime Minister James Marape says it will not extend to a full lockdown or a pause on government and business operations.
The Australian government is expected to announce vaccine support for Papua New Guinea and the Pacific, later today. It comes as 10% of staff at PNG's biggest hospital Port Moresby General contract COVID-19.