Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (28 Nov 2014) - Solomon Islands, Fiji, 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 these updates.]

Solomon Islands: $10m of AusAID funds stolen. Fraudsters in suspected collusion with Solomon Islands government officials have embezzled an estimated $10 million in Australian foreign aid funds destined for hospitals and clinics, some through a fake company called Joke Shipping Services. http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/regional/5043-10m-of-ausaid-funds-stolen

Fiji: Speaker wants PAC to solve impasse quickly. Speaker of the House Dr Jiko Luveni says Public Accounts Committee need to resolve their impasse quickly and convene its meeting. www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/24773/speaker-wants-pac-to-solve-impasse-quickly#sthash.5InIyvGU.dpuf

Fiji: Three former executives of Post Fiji Limited handed prison sentences. The three former executives of Post Fiji Limited, Mahendra Patel, Peni Mau and Dhirendra Pratap have all been handed prison sentences by High Court Judge Justice Prabhaharan Kumararatne. http://fijivillage.com/news-feature/Three-former-executives-of-Post-Fiji-Limited-handed-prison-sentences-rk2s59

PNG: Watchdog refers Works Minister. Another Member of Papua New Guinea Parliament has been referred by the Ombudsman Commission to the Public Prosecutor for alleged misconduct in office. http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=131461580154727d54013306014457

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