The Papua New Guinea Independent Commission Against Corruption (PNG ICAC) welcomes its Commissioners after being sworn in at the Government House Port Moresby on the 4th of July 2023.
Welcoming the Commissioners, the PNG ICAC Interim Chairman Mr Thomas Eluh said their coming has been very much anticipated.
“The Commissioners’ swearing-in today is a milestone achievement for Papua New Guinea”, said Mr. Eluh.
The Commissioner Mr. Andrew Forbes comes from Australia, is a lawyer by profession, has worked for over 30 years in the legal field, and brings a wealth of experience in contentious disputes, and disciplinary and regulatory proceedings.
The Deputy Commissioner, Operations and Technical Services Mr. Daniel Baulch is also from Australia and was a former Police Officer with the Victoria Police. He has worked in law enforcement for more than 20 years and brings a wealth of experience in the field of investigations.
The Deputy Commissioner Prevention and Corporate Administration Mr. Graham Gill is from New Zealand. Prior to his current appointment, he was the Deputy Chief Executive Corporate & Strategy with the New Zealand Serious Fraud Office. He was also a former Police Officer with the New Zealand Police, and he brings with him 26 years of experience in prevention work and investigations.
Mr. Eluh announced that his role as the Interim Chairman has come to an end with the swearing-in of the three Commissioners.
The new PNG ICAC Commissioner Mr. Forbes thanked the outgoing Chairman Mr. Thomas Eluh and said Mr. Eluh has set the foundation on which they will continue to build to fully establish and operationalize the PNG ICAC.
“Our priority will be to foster cooperation across government departments, anti-corruption agencies, and the private sector, and we also welcome the support of the people to address corruption in Papua New Guinea”, Commissioner Forbes said.
Supporting the Commissioner’s statement, Deputy Commissioner Operations and Technical Services, Mr. Daniel Baulch stated that ICAC needs to form partnerships and collaboration both domestically and internationally.
“We are looking forward to working with those who share the passion of the PNG people in wanting to fight corruption. We have the mandate of our legislation, but we continue to seek unwavering support of the people and partner agencies to stop corruption” Mr Baulch said.
Deputy Commissioner Prevention and Corporate Administration, Mr Graham Gill in addition said corruption has huge economic impacts. Internationally between 0.5 percent and 5 percent of government spending is lost to fraud and corruption.
“This means that government funds do not reach the most vulnerable and in need. It undermines the economy and creates an impediment to growth. This is why fighting corruption is an important task and one we are committed to,” said Mr. Gill.