PNG PM shrugs off outstanding warrant

Prime Minister Peter O'Neil has declared he will resign immediately as Papua New Guinea's prime minister if evidence shows he has corruptly pocketed just one Kina.

The PNG anti-corruption watchdog issued a warrant for O'Neill's arrest in June 2014.

The outstanding warrant relates to allegations O'Neill personally authorised the illegal payment of about $31 million (US$22.8 million) to law firm Paul Paraka lawyers.

O'Neill said that the legal case was taking its course.

“Show me where I have received one toea (PNG coins) or one Kina (cash currency) and I will resign tomorrow,” he told the National Press Club in Canberra on Thursday.

He insisted the lawyer concerned was employed by the previous government.

In 2014, O'Neill responded to the arrest warrant by sacking the PNG police commissioner, firing his attorney-general and suspending numerous other justice department and police officials.

He also disbanded the country's anti-corruption watchdog, Task Force Sweep.

Asked about broader corruption in PNG and the issue of wealthy citizens using Australia as an investment destination like the Cayman Islands,  O'Neill said there was a lack of evidence of any wrongdoing.

“There are many successful Papua New Guineans in their own right who are able to invest in Australia and the Cairns property market,” he said.

The transfer of funds underwent vigorous scrutiny.

A survey of former and current politicians would show that many were struggling to pay their bills and had not become rich from corruption, O'Neil said.

The PNG parliament will be debating laws to set up a new anti-corruption body during sittings in March.