18th February 2020

The latest corruption scandal involving a government Minister and a foreign oil company emphasises once again the need for the government to legislate on hidden or ‘beneficial’ company ownerships.

Allowing people to register a company without revealing who are the real owners or beneficiaries creates a massive information vacuum that enables corruption and tax evasion to happen right under our noses.

From a local commentator

The sidelining of Bougainville Chief Secretary Joseph Nobetau, for what can only be deemed political reasons, should be seen as an alarming concern on the eve of the independence referendum. At a time when the world is watching and waiting to see just how Bougainville and the rest of PNG will respond to the referendum vote, it is unfortunate that what they will see is a Government intent on self-interest and power over the rule of law.

International research shows corruption is costing Papua New Guinea billions of Kina every year and it is ruining our economy and impoverishing the nation.

The best way for us to increase economic growth and boost the size of the economy is for the government to implement a comprehensive plan to tackle corruption.

To help the government and policy makers ACT NOW! has published an analysis of the economic costs of corruption and the measures needed to ensure we have an open and transparent government.

Source: Eddie Tanago, ACT NOW!

ACT NOW! is again calling on the government to publicly release the draft ICAC law that it has promised will shortly be debated by Parliament.

There have been so many delays over the establishment of an Independent Commission Against Corruption that the government cannot be trusted not to have watered down the Commission’s powers and that it may end up as just another toothless tiger.