PNG and Aust agree on zero tolerance for fraud | Pacific Beat

The two countries have acknowledged that fraud and corruption affect delivery of services funded under Australian aid assistance to PNG.

Australia through its International Aid Agency AusAid, provides more than 480 million dollars in aid to PNG.

AusAids' Director General, Peter Baxter and PNG's National Planning Minister Sam Basil, yesterday signed a joint statement to fight fraud and misuse of AusAid funds and projects in PNG.

Mr Basil says he's happy Australia has finally realised public comments that AusAid funded programs have little impact on the majority of people in PNG.

He says the view that Australian aid assistance is boomerang aid and sometimes misused by consultants would now be a thing of the past.

Mr Basil says under the agreement, officials from both governments will be held accountable and prosecuted for misusing AusAid funds and programs

Presenter: Firmin Nanol

Speaker: Sam Basil, PNG's National Planning Minister