Politok

The power of the church in Pacific politics

When faith moves from the pulpit into parliament, what happens to democracy in the Pacific?

Equal Work, Unequal Pay: Inside PNG's Dual Wage System

A colonial-era pay system still shapes who gets ahead, and who gets pushed out, in Papua New Guinea.

Papua New Guinea is racing to adopt Artificial Intelligence as concerns grow over access, jobs and data

PNG's leaders are betting on AI to transform government, but can the country leapfrog into the future without leaving people behind?

World War Two shipwreck graveyards a 'ticking timebomb' for Micronesia's water

Beneath the turquoise waters of Chuuk Lagoon lies a graveyard of World War Two shipwrecks, rusting hulks still packed with oil, quietly breaking down and threatening disaster for the communities above. In this episode of ABC Radio Australia's Politok show, host Scott Waide investigates how a war the Pacific never chose has become a ticking environmental time bomb, and why Pacific nations are still waiting for the world to take responsibility. Talent list: Ranger Walter, Chuuk Lagoon Marine Ranger Peter Aten, Division Chief for Commerce and Industry, Federated States of Micronesia Dr Matt Carter, Inkfish Marine Archaeologist Mohammed Zullah, Pollution Advisor, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) This edition of Politok was a repeat of the program broadcast on 3rd February 2026

Cost of COFA: Broken promises from veteran's care to nuclear justice (Part 2)

As a new phase of the Compact of Free Association comes into force, the Marshall Islands' Foreign Minister is speaking out about what the deal has really delivered and what remains unfulfilled. In this episode of Politok on ABC Radio Australia, Minister Kalani Kaneko lays bare the gaps in veterans' care, the unfinished business of nuclear justice, and why Marshallese leaders say Washington's promises have too often stalled at implementation. Join presenter Scott Waide for Part 2 of Politok's look into the Cost of COFA. This edition of Politok was a repeat of the program broadcast on 27th January 2026