Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (21 August 2014) -- Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands

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[Facilitator's note: With thanks to Tony Prescott, Annika Wythes, Isikeli Valemei, Luisa Senibulu, and Samita Singh of the joint UNDP-UNODC Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project, for sharing these updates.]

Fiji: Audit variance. A number of discrepancies were noted in government's annual financial statements for 2008 including bank account balances totalling $1.3m for overseas missions and agencies that were not reconciled nor confirmed by relevant overseas banks. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=277821

Fiji: MOU for compliance. Two key border management organisations inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Suva to boost various integrated activities. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=277822

Fiji: 12 go out. The Fijian Elections Office has rejected 12 candidate nominations from political parties contesting the September 17 polls. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=277794

PNG: Opposition Leader feels betrayed. Papua New Guinea Opposition Leader Belden Namah said he felt betrayed by the 10 national parliamentarians who abandoned his PNG Party despite him personally spending over K50 million to fund their electioneering in the 2012 general elections. http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2014/August/08-19-06.htm

PNG: OC files case. The Ombudsman Commission has confirmed that it referred Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to the Public Prosecutor for alleged misconduct in office after it had investigated allegations against him. http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/73745

PNG: Prosecutor to review PM case for leadership tribunal. Public prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin will decide on whether to refer Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s case to a leadership tribunal after perusing the file on him. http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/73741

PNG: Namah calls for respect for OC. Opposition leader Belden Namah has called on Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to respect State institutions such as the Ombudsman Commission. http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/73744

Solomon Islands: Tango claims ministers bribed. Former Renbel premier Lence Tango has accused his deserted ministers of accepting bribes from a logging company operating in the province. http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/3520-tango-claims-ministers-bribed

Solomon Islands: Call for disciplinary action against Dota school head.TheCentral Islands Provincial Education Authority (CPIEA)is urged to take disciplinary actions against the principal of Dota Community High School. http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/3467-call-for-disciplinary-action-against-dota-school-head

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