[ap-intact] INFO: Pacific Anti-corruption Updates (21 July 2015) – Fiji, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Samoa

[Facilitator’s note: Thank you to Annika Wythes, Luisa Senibulu, and Samita Singh of the joint UNDP-UNODC Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project for sharing these updates.]

Fiji:

PAC scrutinizes ministry over accounts. The Ministry of Finance has come under the microscope of the Public Accounts Committee. http://fijione.tv/pac-scrutinises-ministry-over-accounts/#sthash.FvhUACE6.l6vJEtjH.dpuf

Cocaine worth over $15-M intercepted near Vuda Marina. More than $15 million worth of cocaine has been intercepted in a joint operation between the Fiji Police Force and the Australian Federal Police with the assistance of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority in the Western Division. http://fijivillage.com/news-feature/Cocaine-worth-over-15M-intercepted-near-Vuda-Marina-5r29ks/

Cook Islands:

Political Reform Must Precede Public Service Reform. Reform of the Cook Islands’ Public Service cannot begin before the issue of political reform is tackled head-on, say Opposition MPs. http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2015/July/07-14-10.htm

Vanuatu:

Proposed Media Control Laws Unnecessary. The Media Association of Vanuatu says the Government's proposed curbs on media are excessive and unnecessary. http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2015/July/07-14-11.htm

MPs accused of bribery in court next week. A date has been set in Vanuatu for a preliminary hearing in the bribery case involving 16 MPs. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/278892/vanuatu-mps-accused-of-bribery-in-court-next-week
 

Solomon Islands:

Gov’t accused of cronyism. Transparency Solomon Islands is accusing the government of cronyism in its recent bid to pay more than 450 thousand US dollars in damages to a local boat operator. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/278623/solomons-govt-accused-of-cronyism

Opposition disclosed unpaid hotel bills for 3 MPs. The Parliamentary Opposition Group has disclosed information that three Government Ministers have owed the Heritage Park Hotel more than $900,000 to be possibly met by taxpayers. http://www.sibconline.com.sb/opposition-disclosed-unpaid-hotel-bills-for-3-mps/

MP called to be transparent with constituency spending. A South Guadalcanal elder has called on the Member of Parliament for South Guadalcanal David Dei Pacha to be transparent with how he is going to spend his constituency funding for the next four years. http://www.sibconline.com.sb/mp-called-on-to-be-transparent-with-constituency-spending/

Tonga:


Minister's election trial deferred. The election petition was filed in December and alleges Mr Lavulavu overspent on his campaign and offered bribes of money and gifts in connection with his election. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/278920/tonga-minister%27s-election-trial-deferred
 

Samoa:

Conflict of interest raised. The Controller and Auditor General, Fuimaono Camillo Afele, has raised the question of a conflict of interest with the Samoa Housing Corporation (S.H.C) in relation to a performance bonus paid to its staff and Board members. http://www.samoaobserver.ws/other/government/13939-conflict-of-interest-raised

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