Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates – 28 Oct 2016 – Vanuatu, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Palau, Samoa, Fiji

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These updates are provided by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Anti-Corruption Project for Southeast Asia, and the joint UNODC - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project, with support of the Australian Government.

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VANUATU:

Immunity judgement next Wednesday.  The effect of the decision of last year’s bribery case and related cases will be decided Wednesday next week when Supreme Court Judge, James Paul Geoghegan is set to deliver a decision on the Constitutional application of the former members of parliament.
http://dailypost.vu/news/immunity-judgement-next-wednesday/article_9ec04c39-16c5-577a-966d-87eea0dd70ba.html


TONGA:

Independence needed around Tongan Anti-Corruption appointment.  There are worries the independence and effectiveness of Tonga's first Anti-Corruption commissioner could be affected by government proposals.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/201820416/independence-needed-around-tongan-anti-corruption-appointment


SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Major Arrest by Anti-Corruption Taskforce.  Police have arrested and charged a senior government official with several counts of Official Corruption.
http://www.solomontimes.com/news/major-arrest-by-anticorruption-taskforce/8603


PALAU:

Palau sets up initiative to strengthen its local governance. Limitations on policies, public financial management, law making and legal affairs, limited citizen outreach and demand for accountability are some of the issues behind the development of the Palau Local Governance Strengthening Project, a project of the government of Palau in partnership with the United Nations Development Program or UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji.
http://www.mvariety.com/regional-news/90040-palau-sets-up-initiative-to-strengthen-its-local-governance


SAMOA:

A milestone for the Audit Office.  Fresh off its Institutional Strengthening Project, the Samoa Audit Office (S.A.O) is continuing the implementation of its educational programmes to further enhance skills and equip its staff with the most recent auditing and financial know-how to perform their duties.
http://www.samoaobserver.ws/en/23_10_2016/local/13058/A-milestone-for-the-Audit-Office.htm


FIJI:

Court to make ruling next month on Tikoca's case.  The Suva Magistrates Court will make a ruling on the 7th of next month in relation to Ratu Isoa Tikoca's case.
http://fijivillage.com/news/Court-to-make-ruling-next-month-on-Tikocas-case-2k95sr/

Former Post Fiji employee charged with money laundering.  A former employee of Post Fiji Limited appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court this afternoon charged with one count of obtaining a financial advantage by deception and one count of money laundering.
http://fijivillage.com/news/Former-Post-Fiji-employee-charged-with-money-laundering--s529kr/


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

Maria Adomeit, Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser, UNODC, maria.adomeit@unodc.org

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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