Zero tolerance to fraud in Australia’s aid program to PNG
04 October, 2012
AusAID Director General, Peter Baxter and Papua New Guinea Minister for National Planning, The Hon. Charles Abel MP at the annual Partnership Dialogue meeting on 4 October. Photo: AusAID
AusAID Director General Peter Baxter and Papua New Guinea Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, The Hon. Charles Abel MP have signed a joint statement on zero tolerance to fraud in Australia's aid program to PNG in the lead up to the Annual Partnership Dialogue meeting on 4 October 2012.
Australian and PNG Government Ministers agreed to a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to fraud and corruption during the Ministerial Forum in Canberra on 12 October 2011, in recognition that it presents a significant impediment to development.
Fraud and corruption can negatively impact the delivery of crucial services, economic growth and poverty reduction and often affects the poorest members of society.
Both Governments jointly agree that:
- any suspected fraud within the Australian aid program in PNG be thoroughly and comprehensively investigated with perpetrators prosecuted to the full extent of PNG’s laws
- every effort is accorded by PNG authorities to recover any funds lost due to fraud or corruption
- they will establish a regular forum to review cases of fraud in the aid program, and where issues relating to the reporting, investigation and prosecution of cases can be raised and resolved
- PNG’s investigative bodies will provide progress updates to this forum on investigations
- they jointly commit to improving PNG’s anti-corruption measures, including implementing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, and strengthening the capacity of PNG law enforcement agencies to tackle corruption
- they jointly commit to improving PNG procurement and financial systems to ensure that aid funds are disbursed effectively and efficiently providing the greatest possible value for money and improve the lives of people in PNG, including the poorest.
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Last Reviewed: 4 October, 2012