Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates – 19 Nov 2016: Fiji, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, PNG

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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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FIJI:
Regional Financial Intelligence Unit Officers Here on Attachment.  The Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) hosted four officers from the FIUs of the Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu.
http://fijisun.com.fj/2016/11/12/regional-financial-intelligence-unit-officers-here-on-attachment/
Company under investigation for over $16.5 million in under-declared sales.  A company is under investigation by the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority for under‑declaring their sales by more than $16.5 million to evade VAT and Income Tax derived through these sales.
http://fijivillage.com/news-feature/Company-under-investigation-for-over-165-million-in-under-declared-sales-s2k5r9/
Fiji passport fraud case further probed.  Fiji authorities are continuing to investigate a complaint into an alleged attempt to defraud the immigration department.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/318051/fiji-passport-fraud-case-further-probed

VANUATU:
Former Vanuatu MPs case dismissed. The legal attempt by jailed former Vanuatu members of parliament to shield their criminal conviction and sentencing of bribery under parliamentary immunity has been dismissed by the Supreme Court.
http://www.pireport.org/articles/2016/11/13/former-vanuatu-mps-case-dismissed

COOK ISLANDS:
Bishop appeal in the Cooks to be heard from today.  The Cook Islands High Court is scheduled to hear an appeal by former MP Teina Bishop against his conviction and jailing on corruption charges.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/318167/bishop-appeal-in-the-cooks-to-be-heard-from-today

PNG:
Court clears Pala.  TheWaigani Committal Court has dismissed 28 fraud-related charges against Justice Minister and Attorney-General Ano Pala, saying “there is no evidence of any wrong-doing”.
http://www.thenational.com.pg/court-clears-pala/

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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