Transparency International PNG (TIPNG)

TIPNG condemns changes to election laws

In a statement, TIPNG says: “The National Executive Council (NEC) has recently approved three major changes to the laws affecting candidates for elected office: Nomination fees, the campaign period and election petition costs.

“TIPNG sees the proposals as undermining the principle of equality for all.”

Lawrence Stephens, the Chairman of TIPNG, says the proposed rule changes will severely reduce the rights of citizens to participate in future elections.

TIPNG condemns attack on EC officers in Mendi

This was the statement made by Chairman for Transparency International PNG (TIPNG), Lawrence Stephens.

“It is also the opinion of TIPNG that the actions of the attackers reflect a deeper issue. We see far too many examples of leaders behaving as if they are not accountable to the law.

“When people holding high offices are not held accountable for offences against their people, members of the public are encouraged to believe that they are justified in using force to achieve their own goals,” said Stephens.

TIPNG: MP’s must not lose sight of calls for reform

This was the call by Chairman of Transparency International PNG (TIPNG), Lawrence Stephens following yesterday’s Vote of No Confidence.

"Members have assembled for an important vote and have made a decision.

“This is what legislators are expected to do. Members of Parliament are also representatives of the people and many of the people have been begging parliamentarians to take note of their concerns, “said Stephens.

Stephens added that it should be clear to every politician and public servant by now that the people are concerned.

MP’s Must Follow Anti-Bribery Laws

“Our Members and each of us must be urgently reminded of the provisions pertaining to Bribery within the Criminal Code Act 1974,” said the Chairman of TIPNG, Lawrence Stephens.

Stephens stated that Sections 61 and 62 of the Act clearly outline that bribery of Members of Parliament involves, “attempts, directly or indirectly, by fraud, threats or intimidation of any kind, to influence a Member of the Parliament in his vote, opinion, judgement or action on any such question or matter, or to induce him to so absent himself.”

TIPNG: MPs must follow anti-bribery laws

Chairman of TIPNG, Lawrence Stephens, said Sections 61 and 62 of the Criminal Code Act 1974 clearly outlines that bribery of Members of Parliament involves, “attempts, directly or indirectly, by fraud, threats or intimidation of any kind, to influence a member of the Parliament in his vote, opinion, judgement or action on any such question or matter, or to induce him to so absent himself”.

“Our Members and each of us must be urgently reminded of the provisions pertaining to Bribery within the Act.

Perpetrators need to be brought to justice.

Chairman of TIPNG, Lawrence Stephens said amongst the students that had been sent back home were students of neighbouring countries cajoled into believing that Papua New Guinea offers a good environment for study.

“But we must not forget the reason behind the students' protest and the ongoing civil unrest," said Stephens.

Stephens said the reasons are:

TIPNG says laws of PNG apply to all

Chairman of TIPNG, Lawrence Stephens made the call for all responsible agencies and agents of the nation to step up to the challenges.

 “We have the public records and reports of numerous Commissions of Inquiry (CoI) . Recommendations have been made that named individuals should be referred to the police fraud squad for investigation.

TIPNG: Fraud & Anti-corruption directorate must be reopened

Chairman of TIPNG, Lawrence Stephens made this call following the locking down of the Fraud office upon directions from the Police Commissioner.

Stephens said Baki should refrain from giving instructions to police officers which would, if obeyed, expose them to the risk of being charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

PNG ranked 139th most corrupt country

This was revealed today in a report by Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) at the Ela Beach Hotel in Port Moresby.

PNG is ranked 139 out of a 168 countries and territories. PNG was ranked 145 out of 175 in the 2014 CPI.

Chairman for TIPNG, Lawrence Stephens said the 2015 CPI showed PNG had scored 25 on a corruption scale of a 100 with 0 (being highly corrupt) and 100 (being very clean).

PNG has scored 25 for the last 4 years since 2012.