Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (9 August 2014) -- Solomon Islands, Fiji, Cook Islands, PNG

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

Transnational criminal networks target Pacific; Australia looks to expand jobs to counter criminal elements. Australian law enforcement agencies are concerned that criminal networks are increasingly targeting Pacific nations. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-07/australia-looks-to-expand-pacific-jobs-to-counter-criminal-n/5656410

Solomon Islands: Door to door campaigning starts. Reports have it that most of these candidates [to the national general elections] visit families, promising and even offering huge sums of money and benefits in exchange for their support and also for their voters ID cards. http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/3330-door-to-door-campaigning-starts

Fiji: Electoral Commission calls for ethical conduct. The Electoral Commission is calling on political parties, the media and the public to have ethical conduct. http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/21900/electoral-commission-calls-for-ethical-conduct
Fiji: Corruption commission raids Fiji NGO. Officials armed with search warrants from Fiji's Independent Commission Against Corruption, FICAC, have visited the Suva premises of the Citizens Constitutional Forum twice this week. http://www.australiaplus.com/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/corruption-commission-raids-fiji-ngo/1353946
Officials armed with search warrants from Fiji's Independent Commission Against Corruption, FICAC, have visited the Suva premises of the Citizens Constitutional Forum twice this week. - See more at: http://www.australiaplus.com/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/corruption-commission-raids-fiji-ngo/1353946#sthash.B06BE1eZ.dpuf
Officials armed with search warrants from Fiji's Independent Commission Against Corruption, FICAC, have visited the Suva premises of the Citizens Constitutional Forum twice this week. - See more at: http://www.australiaplus.com/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/corruption-commission-raids-fiji-ngo/1353946#sthash.B06BE1eZ.dpuf
Officials armed with search warrants from Fiji's Independent Commission Against Corruption, FICAC, have visited the Suva premises of the Citizens Constitutional Forum twice this week. - See more at: http://www.australiaplus.com/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/corruption-commission-raids-fiji-ngo/1353946#sthash.B06BE1eZ.dpuf

Fiji: Amendment Fury. Political parties have come out strongly against the recent amendment made to the Electoral Decree 2014, which has so far resulted in the National Federation Party having to disqualify three of its candidates from contesting the September 17 election. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=276642

Cook Islands: Election Lawyers Face Potential Costs. Lawyers representing election candidates who have lodged petitions are being told by the High Court they could be on the hook financially for fraud allegations made "without proper basis". http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2014/August/08-01-08.htm

Cook Islands: Government Releases Information About Contracts - List of awards made public to improve transparency, accountability. A long list of contract awards providing information about Government procurement activities has been made available to the public by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) as part of its "continued effort to improve transparency and accountability". http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/local/item/47887-govt-contract-details-released

PNG: Clerk of Parliament suspended. The Papua New Guinea National Executive Council has suspended the Clerk of Parliament, Vela Konivaro, over serious allegations of financial mismanagement. http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/papua-new-guinea/5983/png-clerk-of-parliament-suspended/

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