Dear ACT NOW! Member
The details of a MASSIVE new corruption scandal are just beginning to emerge - despite the best efforts of those implicated to stop their crimes being exposed. Two stories have been published in The Australian newspaper about the findings of the Finance Department Commission of Inquiry, which has uncovered how corrupt lawyers and senior public servants have conspired to steal over K700 million from the public purse (read the first and the second stories).
The media in PNG is currently prevented from publishing the details of who stole what because of a temporary court injunction obtained by two of the accused, lawyer Paul Paraka and former Solicitor General, Zacchary Gelu.
Unfortunately the government has been very slack in not trying to get the injunction lifted and when the matter was listed for court this week the court files had mysteriously disappeared from the National Court registry.
ACT NOW! will keep you posted on any new developments.
ACT NOW! in the media
ACT NOW! has had some great media coverage this week. Our press release on the sacking of Dr Allan Marat as Attorney General and Minister for Justice was carried in full in both the Post Courier and The National newspapers. There was also a live interview on NBC radio on Wednesday morning and interviews with both ABC Radio in Australia and Radio NZ.
New blog posts
If you haven't already read them, these are the new blog articles on the website this week:
- People deserve an apology for the Chief's 'longlong' comments
- Minister Tiensten must be suspended says Opposition
- Former Justice Minister maintains opposition to 'Maladina' amendments
- Government leading PNG into disaster
Please add your comments at the end of the articles as sharing ideas and debating the issues is an important step towards finding effective solutions and encourages others to get involved
New stories added this week
- MPs paid to stick with the government
- PNG biggest loser under the LNG project
- Bribe the paymasters in education office to get our pay
With the details of the Finance Inquiry beginning to emerge, the Kapris tapes still attracting a lot of attention and another Minister now embroiled in corruption allegations now is the time for us to increase the pressure on the government so please follow the links above and have your say on the scandals.
Best wishes for a great weekend
The ACT NOW! team
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