[ap-intact] INFO: Pacific Anti-corruption Updates (24 June 2015) – Regional, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Nauru

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[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.]
Regional:
Pacific parliamentarians discuss corruption. Pacific parliamentarians gathered in Nadi to discuss what they can do to make the region free from corruption. www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/31336/pacific-parliamentarians-discuss-corruption#sthash.I94zequA.dpuf
Corruption undermines democracy, says Luveni. Corruption is undeniably one of the most serious impediments to human development, says the Speaker of Parliament Dr Jiko Luveni. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=314633
Fiji:
FICAC independent. Parliament cannot direct the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) to prosecute someone, says Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=314797
Committees Must Be Apolitical, A-G Explains. Acting Prime Minister, Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, yesterday discussed the standing committees need to be apolitical and to focus on its mandate and scope of work to have credibility and integrity. http://fijisun.com.fj/2015/07/22/committees-must-be-apolitical-a-g-explains/
Banker wanted. A bank employee is wanted by police for allegedly obtaining about $110,000 under false pretences earlier this month. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=314802
Solomon Islands:
Constituents call for revising of CDF structure. More than 50 constituents of East, Central, and West Honiara have called on the government to find ways in revising the current structure of the Constituency Development Funds (CDF). http://solomonstarnews.com/news/national/7496-constituents-call-for-revising-of-cdf-structure
MPs run up huge hotel bill. Three MPs in Solomon Islands are reported to have asked the Government to pick up their US$100,000 tab at the country's premier hotel. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/279299/solomons-mps-run-up-huge-hotel-bill
Samoa:
Prominent lawyer wanted. A prominent lawyer has left the country after being declared bankrupt, leaving families he represented in Court with debts amounting to thousands of tala. http://www.samoaobserver.ws/home/headlines/14007-prominent-lawyer-wanted
Nauru:
Forum chief visits amid democracy concerns. The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Dame Meg Taylor, is heading to Nauru next week amid concerns about a breakdown in democracy on the island. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/279293/forum-chief-visits-nauru-amid-democracy-concerns

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