Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (10 Oct 2014) - Fiji, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, PNG

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[Facilitator's note: Thank you to Tony Prescott, Annika Wythes, Isikeli Valemei, Luisa Senibulu, and Samita Singh of the joint UNDP-UNODC Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project, for sharing this information.

Fiji: Parliament sits for first time since 2006 coup. Fiji has taken another important step on the road back to democracy with the first sitting of its new parliament.
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/fiji-parliament-sits-for-first-time-since-2006-coup/1375979

Solomon Islands: 7.3M defraud case in court. A second man is now facing court for the $10 million scandal within the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS).
http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/4401-7-3m-defraud-case-in-court

Solomon Islands: Accountant’s case adjourned. The case involving a senior Accountant who confessed he failed to declare more than $200,000 to Customs and Immigration has been further adjourned to October 20. 
http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/4400-accountant-s-case-adjourned

Solomon Islands: Survey reveals few MPs are regular contributors to bills. A Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) survey has shown that very few Members of Parliament regularly contribute to debate on bills that comes before parliament.
http://www.sibconline.com.sb/survey-reveals-few-mps-are-regular-contributors-to-bills/

Solomon Islands: Date announced for election. The Solomon Islands governor-general has announced that the country will go to the polls on November 19 in the first vote since an Australian-led security mission departed in 2013.
http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2014/October/10-08-03.htm

Kiribati loses a million dollars to cyber crime. The police in Kiribati have launched an investigation into the theft of more than US$1.1 million through what the government is calling cyber crime.
http://www.mvariety.com/regional-news/69887-kiribati-loses-a-million-dollars-to-cyber-crime

PNG soldiers told to avoid politics, politicians. PNG soldiers have been directed not to get involved in politics or associate with politicians.
http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2014/October/10-06-10.htm

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