Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates – 10 Feb 2017: Vanuatu, 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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VANUATU:
Right to information becomes law.  Vanuatu journalists are preparing their first requests under Vanuatu's new freedom of information rules.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/324019/right-to-information-becomes-law-in-vanuatu

PNG:
Transparency International welcomes inquiry into defence land scandal.  The PNG chapter of Transparency International has welcomed the Prime Minister's move to set up a Commission of Inquiry into the latest corruption scandal to hit the government.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-08/transparency-international-welcomes-inquiry-into/8252960
Transparency PNG says sacked whistleblowers should be honored.  Transparency International PNG says reports nine Defence Department civilian staff have been sacked should be of concern to everyone in Papua New Guinea.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/323998/transparency-png-says-sacked-whistleblowers-should-be-honoured
Doubts over PNG corruption probe after inquiry announcement.  There's a degree of skepticism in Papua New Guinea to the Prime Minister's announcement that a Commission of Inquiry will examine the latest corruption scandal to hit the government.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-07/doubts-over-png-corruption-probe-after-inquiry /8249402
Mother jailed for theft, fraud.  A 29-year-old mother of five has been jailed for a year and six months theft, being deceptive and forgery.
http://www.samoaobserver.ws/en/09_02_2017/local/16687/Mother-jailed-for-theft-fraud.htm

For more information about the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project, please contact:
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

Maria Lee, Peace & Development Administrative Assistant, UNDP/UNODC, maria.lee@undp.org

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