Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (22 April 2016)

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From the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project, a joint four-year initiative of the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, with support from the Australian Government. Updates shared by Annika Wythes, Luisa Senibulu, Samita Singh, and Mihaela Stojkoska.

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SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Court: MPs tax-free salary unconstitutional.  Solomon Islands Members of Parliament (MPs) will no longer enjoy tax-free wages after Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer threw out the award in a landmark ruling.

http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/10146-justice-served

PNG:

Police commissioner sets up inquiry into fraud squad.  Papua New Guinea's fraud squad is to be investigated in the latest development in a major fraud case implicating the country's prime minister.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/301921/png-police-commissioner-sets-up-inquiry-into-fraud-squad

Despite court order, PNG's anti-fraud unit ordered to close.  A Papua New Guinea court has stayed the suspension of members of the police anti-corruption unit, but they cannot resume their work because the police commissioner has blockaded the unit.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/301842/despite-court-order,-png's-anti-fraud-unit-ordered-to-close

Simbu backs up PNG police commissioner's claim.  A provincial administrator in Papua New Guinea has backed up a claim by the Police Commissioner that elements of the national anti-fraud unit were conducting investigations without full authority.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/301900/simbu-backs-up-png-police-commissioner's-claim

Grand Chief Somare calls on PM O’Neill to stepdown.  Founding father of the nation and East Sepik Governor Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare is calling on Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O‘Neill to respect the rule of law and stand down.  

http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=1810460402571855bce46d8c521a93

SAMOA:

Palusalue withdraws petition out of respect.  Samoa's former opposition leader, Palusalue Faapo II, has withdrawn his election petition against a ruling HRPP MP who defeated him.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/301917/samoa's-palusalue-withdraws-petition-out-of-respect

For more information about the UN-PRAC Project, please get in touch with:

Annika Wythes, Anti-Corruption Adviser - Pacific, UNODC, annika.wythes@unodc.org

Luisa Senibulu, Governance Programme Associate, UNDP/UNODC, luisa.senibulu@undp.org

Samita Singh, Programme Assistant - Anti-Corruption, UNDP/UNODC, samita.singh@undp.org

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