Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates – 3 Dec 2016: Vanuatu, PNG, 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:

PINA President impressed with the endorsement of RTI Bill in Vanuatu.  The Vanuatu Parliament has unanimously passed the Bill for the Right to Information and President for Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), Moses Steven, has already echoed his joyful heart on this achievement.

http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=7030040625837888794b3058d6d39e

RTI – a step in the right direction.  "All in all, journalists, civil servants and the public at large should celebrate this achievement, as with so many things in Vanuatu, this particular glass house isn’t flawless…but it’s ours, and it’s a better place than we were in yesterday."

Commentary by Dan McGarry: http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=75551296058378a5fd156fc9a23ca6

Vanuatu PM survives first no confidence motion.  Vanuatu's Prime Minister Charlot Salwai survived the first attempt to oust him and his government.

http://www.pina.com.fj/index.php?p=pacnews&m=read&o=1053994516583f75e57630624a46be

Papua New Guinea:

Convicted PNG Governor refused bail.  The Governor of Papua New Guinea's Western Province has been denied bail after being sentenced to jail for corruption.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/318919/convicted-png-governor-refused-bail

MP’s penalty upheld.  A three-man bench Supreme Court has ruled that the punishment imposed on North Fly MP Boka Kondra by the Leadership Tribunal was fitting, deserving and not erroneous.

http://www.thenational.com.pg/mps-penalty-upheld/

FIJI:

Black money.  The Western Division has been identified as having a lot more cash transactions and black money.

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=380062

8 More Face Charges in Alleged LTA Scam.  The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has reminded drivers and driving schools to conduct affairs with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in an ethical manner.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2016/11/25/8-more-face-charges-in-alleged-lta-scam/

Former Senior Immigration Official to take PLEA Next Month.  A former senior public official will take his Plea next month at the Suva Magistrates Court.

https://www.ficac.org.fj/pg_news.php?pg=1121

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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