Corruption and law and order remains two major problems in Papua New Guinea, says Deputy Prime Minister Davis Steven.
The Minister for Justice and Attorney General says there is already a National Action Plan against corruption in place, which now needs actioning.
The protection of whistle-blowers and the establishment of an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) are two important aspects that need to be addressed.
The Deputy Prime Minister says the simple reality is that all corrupt conduct involves more than one person so if people are not afraid to be whistle-blowers then it will be a quicker and cheaper way to deal with corruption.
He says the long outstanding ICAC Bill came near to being passed in the last term of parliament.
And under Prime Minister James Marape’s leadership, he says they want to make it happen as soon as possible and have an ICAC that is effective, affordable and operates without delay.
While the Attorney General intends to place the legislation before NEC in its next sitting to be processed, he says no amount of legislation will be effective without a change in attitude.
In other words, an ICAC that works on prevention as well as detection of corruption is needed rather than just investigates a small amount of past corrupt conduct.
He went on to say he wants to see the investigation of a small amount of past corrupt conduct.
(Deputy Prime Minister Davis Steven filepic)