Papua New Guinea - March 2023

Prime Minister James Marape announced an internal government probe in response to a joint Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project and Australian Broadcasting Corporation investigation into the state-owned ports company. The investigation documented millions of dollars of payments to an Australian consultant from the winning bidder for lucrative contracts. The consultant then used the money to finance personal expenses of the senior officials at the ports company. Marape admitted to having played golf with the consultant but denied significant knowledge of his background or business.

Sources: Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, Australian Broadcasting Corporation