ACT NOW is calling on the government to immediately publish the Auditor General’s report on spending for the 2018 APEC Summit.

The government has repeatedly promised that the APEC Audit report will be made public but it is now almost three-years since the Summit and we are still waiting.

According to the Auditor General, his report was given to the Speaker of Parliament in April, but has yet to be presented to MPs.

By Eddie Tanago, ACT NOW! Campaign Manager

The Forest Authority must stop aiding and abetting logging companies identified by the IRC as defrauding the State and landowners by evading taxes and must prevent them accessing even more areas of forest to feed their criminal activities.

Papua New Guinea’s Internal Revenue Commission says the logging industry is “one of the most delinquent sectors insofar as tax compliance is concerned“.

The logging companies are guilty of “egregious” transfer pricing, “entrenched” tax evasion and “deceptive behaviour” says the IRC (see the full IRC statements below).

Eddie Tanago, Campaign Manager

Papua New Guinea’s international corruption rating has slipped a further one-point, from 28 to 27, in the latest figures released by Transparency International. 

This is bad news for the economy and a sad reflection on the state of our democracy.

Government plans to investigate public servants who are living extravagant lifestyles beyond what they should be able to afford on the salaries they are paid are welcome, but the Prime Minister will be judged on the results rather than his promises. 

The large welcome that has greeted the passing of the ICAC legislation by Parliament shows the dire urgency to eradicate the plagues of corruption that consume the fabric of our society. It has been long awaited, and the passing of the bill has paid off the hard work put into achieving this milestone. For Papua New Guinea, an ICAC will be a first promising step on a long road to open and accountable government.  

The proposed Independent Commission Against Corruption will not be free from possible political interference under the terms of the draft Bill currently before Parliament.

The Prime Minister will Chair and the Leader of the Opposition will be a member of the committee that appoints both the Commissioners and the members of the Oversight Committee that will constantly review the operations, functions and powers of the ICAC.