Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (29 July 2016) – Cook Islands, Nauru, PNG, Tonga, Vanuatu

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From the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project, a joint 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 Mihaela Stojkoska, Luisa Senibulu, and Samita Singh.

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Cook Islands:

Better code needed in Cooks to fight corruption.  A poor code of conduct is being blamed for a series of corruption investigations involving Cook Islands MPs.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/309435/better-code-needed-in-cooks-to-fight-corruption

PM disputes corruption reports.  The Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna has taken issue with recent media reports suggesting there are concerns with corruption within the country's leadership.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/309613/cook-islands-pm-disputes-corruption-reports



Nauru:

Calls for better access for media during Pacific polls.  A group fighting for media freedom in the Pacific said election observers need to prioritize free and fair access to the media as they monitor elections in the region.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/309414/calls-for-better-access-for-media-during-pacific-polls



PNG:

Government denies claims of MP payouts on eve of vote.  The office of Papua New Guinea's prime minister has denied that MPs who committed to Peter O'Neill in the vote of no-confidence last week received lofty payouts.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/309415/png-govt-denies-claims-of-mp-payouts-on-eve-of-vote

PNG provincial governor convicted of misappropriation.  The Waigani National Court in Papua New Guinea has found the Western Province governor Ati Wobiro guilty of conspiring to misappropriate provincial funds.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/309570/png-provincial-governor-convicted-of-misappropriation



Tonga:

Claims diplomatic passports still being sold.  A publisher in Tonga claims the Kingdom is more corrupt now than ever before.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/309353/claims-diplomatic-passports-still-being-sold-in-tonga



Vanuatu:

Jailed politicians' appeal for stay order dismissed.  Vanuatu's Appeal Court has dismissed an appeal by former prime minister, now jailed politician, Moana Carcasses and his colleagues.  

http://dailypost.vu/news/jailed-politicians-appeal-for-stay-order-dismissed/article_07da891c-a084-5967-b1aa-fd3aed1ddd15.html



For more information about the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project, please get in touch with:

Mihaela Stojkoska, Anti-Corruption Specialist - Pacific, UNDP, mihaela.stojkoska@undp.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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