Marape requests Aust for information on corruption allegation

PRIME Minister James Marape has requested his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison for information on allegations in the Australian media that a PNG Cabinet minister was involved in a US$10 million “deal”.
“I have sent a request at the highest level to my colleague in Australia,” he said. “I am interested in this matter, the police and ombudsman will be interested in this matter.”
Deputy Opposition leader Dr Allan Marat had asked Marape in the House whether he was aware of allegations against a cabinet minister involved in a US$10 million deal, as reported by Australian media.
Marape said: “I communicated with my colleague (Morrison) if he can assist (by providing) information as to what has happened.
“I have asked at the highest level that we are exchanging notes.”
He said Australia should assist in exposing “if there is money laundering from PNG to Australia.
“I want those statistics.”
“If there are PNG based companies funnelling funds illegally, we already have the Proceeds of Crime Act,” he said.
“And so, we are interfacing at that level to ensure that the two economies and jurisdictions are on the same page as far as fighting corruption is concerned.”
Marape also urged people with any information relating to corruption to refer it to authorities.
He said anyone who had received money in a “shady deal” should, in the interest of fighting corruption, inform the corruption-fighting institutions.