Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (15 July 2016) – Solomon Islands, Fiji, Nauru, Samoa, 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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Solomon Islands:
Pleas for set up of corruption mechanisms.  According to Transparency Solomon Islands, 10 non-existent companies got paid US$1.9 million dollars of public money.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/308498/pleas-for-set-up-of-solomons-corruption-mechanisms
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Fiji:
Grants under scrutiny.  The Auditor-General's Office was questioned by the Public Accounts Committee on why accounts of the University of the South Pacific, Fiji National University, and Fiji Airways were not audited by the office.
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=362106
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Nauru:
Former MP keen to be witness in bribery probe.  The former Nauru opposition MP Roland Kun says he is still willing to be a witness in an Australian Federal Police investigation into alleged bribery on Nauru.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/308617/kun-keen-to-be-witness-in-nauru-bribery-probe
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Samoa:
Charges against minister withdrawn.  The Minister of Police, Sala Fata Pinati, walked away a free man from the Court following the dismissal of 17 election-related charges against him.
http://www.samoaobserver.ws/en/12_07_2016/local/8559/Charges-against-Minister-withdrawn.htm
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Vanuatu:
Government crackdown on vehicle misuse.  Politicians and civil servants with government vehicles in Vanuatu will soon face punishment if they're caught abusing the privilege.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/308479/vanuatu-govt-crackdown-on-vehicle-misuse
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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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