Latest news with #ScottWaide
ABC News
3 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Saving Samoa's bees; a mission in motion
This Week on Radio Australia — we're turning up the volume on Pacific voices! On Nesia Daily, hosts Jacob McQuire and Michael Chow buzz into the world of beekeeping in Samoa, catching up with a local beekeeper in the wake of World Bee Day. Over on Politok, Scott Waide dives deep into the Pacific's health crisis unpacking the political pulse behind the region's struggling systems. And on Nesian Footy, Sam Wykes and Tinirau Arona go one-on-one with a former rugby star, tracing his wild ride across continents — the highs, the heartbreaks, and everything in between. From culture to current affairs, sport to storytelling — it's all happening this week on Radio Australia. Relax into your Sunday morning with two hours of the best stories from across the Pacific. Host Kuntamari crofts, will take you on a Pacific Sundays journey, bringing you stories that will inspire, entertain and inform you.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
PNG Faces Deadline For Fixing Issues With Money Laundering And Terrorist Financing
Article – RNZ Papua New Guinea has five months remaining to fix its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing systems or face repercussions. Scott Waide, RNZ Pacific PNG correspondent -Analysis Papua New Guinea has five months remaining to fix its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) systems or face the severe repercussions of being placed on the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) 'grey list'. The FATF has imposed an October 2025 deadline, and the government is scrambling to prove its commitment to global partners. Speaking in Parliament, Prime Minister James Marape said Treasury Minister, Ian Ling-Stuckey has been given the responsibility to lead a taskforce to fix PNG's issues associated with money laundering and terrorist financing. 'I summoned all agency heads to a critical meeting last week giving them clear direction, in no uncertain terms, that they work day and night to avert the possibility of us getting grey listed,' Marape said. 'This review comes around every five years. 'We have only three or four areas that are outstanding that we must dispatch forthwith.' PNG is no stranger to the FATF grey list, having been placed under increased monitoring in 2014 before successfully being removed in 2016. However, a recent assessment by the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) highlighted ongoing deficiencies, particularly in the effectiveness of PNG's AML/CTF regime. While the country has made strides in establishing the necessary laws and regulations (technical compliance), the real challenge lies in PNG's implementation and enforcement. The core of the problem, according to analysts, is a lack of effective prosecution and punishment for money laundering and terrorism financing. High-risk sectors such as corruption, fraud against government programmes, illegal logging, illicit fishing, and tax evasion, remain largely unchecked by successful legal actions. Capacity gaps within key agencies like the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and the Office of the Public Prosecutor have been cited as significant hurdles. Recent drug hauls have also highlighted existing flaws in detection in the country's financial systems. The implications of greylisting are far-reaching and potentially devastating for a developing nation like PNG, which is heavily reliant on foreign investment and international financial flows. Deputy Opposition leader James Nomane warned in Parliament that greylisting 'will severely affect the economy, investor confidence, and make things worse for Papua New Guinea with respect to inflationary pressures, the cost of imports, and a whole host of issues'. If PNG is greylisted, the immediate economic fallout could be substantial. It would signal to global financial institutions that PNG carries a heightened risk for financial crimes, potentially leading to a sharp decline in foreign direct investment. Critical resource projects, including Papua LNG, P'nyang LNG, Wafi-Golpu, and Frieda River Mines, could face delays or even be halted as investors become wary of the increased financial and reputational risks. Beyond investment, the cost of doing business in PNG could also rise. International correspondent banks, vital conduits for cross-border transactions, may de-risk by cutting ties or scaling back operations with PNG financial institutions. This 'de-risking' could make it more expensive and complex for businesses and individuals alike to conduct international transactions, leading to higher fees and increased scrutiny.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
PNG Faces Deadline For Fixing Issues With Money Laundering And Terrorist Financing
Scott Waide, RNZ Pacific PNG correspondent -Analysis Papua New Guinea has five months remaining to fix its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) systems or face the severe repercussions of being placed on the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) "grey list". The FATF has imposed an October 2025 deadline, and the government is scrambling to prove its commitment to global partners. Speaking in Parliament, Prime Minister James Marape said Treasury Minister, Ian Ling-Stuckey has been given the responsibility to lead a taskforce to fix PNG's issues associated with money laundering and terrorist financing. "I summoned all agency heads to a critical meeting last week giving them clear direction, in no uncertain terms, that they work day and night to avert the possibility of us getting grey listed," Marape said. "This review comes around every five years. "We have only three or four areas that are outstanding that we must dispatch forthwith." PNG is no stranger to the FATF grey list, having been placed under increased monitoring in 2014 before successfully being removed in 2016. However, a recent assessment by the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) highlighted ongoing deficiencies, particularly in the effectiveness of PNG's AML/CTF regime. While the country has made strides in establishing the necessary laws and regulations (technical compliance), the real challenge lies in PNG's implementation and enforcement. The core of the problem, according to analysts, is a lack of effective prosecution and punishment for money laundering and terrorism financing. High-risk sectors such as corruption, fraud against government programmes, illegal logging, illicit fishing, and tax evasion, remain largely unchecked by successful legal actions. Capacity gaps within key agencies like the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and the Office of the Public Prosecutor have been cited as significant hurdles. Recent drug hauls have also highlighted existing flaws in detection in the country's financial systems. The implications of greylisting are far-reaching and potentially devastating for a developing nation like PNG, which is heavily reliant on foreign investment and international financial flows. Deputy Opposition leader James Nomane warned in Parliament that greylisting "will severely affect the economy, investor confidence, and make things worse for Papua New Guinea with respect to inflationary pressures, the cost of imports, and a whole host of issues". If PNG is greylisted, the immediate economic fallout could be substantial. It would signal to global financial institutions that PNG carries a heightened risk for financial crimes, potentially leading to a sharp decline in foreign direct investment. Critical resource projects, including Papua LNG, P'nyang LNG, Wafi-Golpu, and Frieda River Mines, could face delays or even be halted as investors become wary of the increased financial and reputational risks. Beyond investment, the cost of doing business in PNG could also rise. International correspondent banks, vital conduits for cross-border transactions, may de-risk by cutting ties or scaling back operations with PNG financial institutions. This "de-risking" could make it more expensive and complex for businesses and individuals alike to conduct international transactions, leading to higher fees and increased scrutiny.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Call for action against violence in Papua New Guinea
Satellite map view of Enga Province in Papua New Guinea. Photo: Google Maps A journalist says people in Papua New Guinea want action to violence - not just the usual condemnation from leaders. Another gruesome video is circulating social media from Enga Province, which has a recent history of tribal conflict. RNZ Pacific correspondent Scott Waide said people are calling on their leaders to act. "A lot of them are asking why we keep having this kind of violence in the province and being recorded on social media," he said. "Some people have been questioning why we've introduced anti-terror laws and yet it's being slow to be implemented in the district." He said the video came from Kompiam-Ambun, the electorate of former speaker Sir John Pundari. "There's been no political responses yet, the police have indicated that there are looking into it but the responses, as usual, will come a few days later. "They don't want [just] the usual condemnation; they want condemnation and action arrests." Waide said police have found it difficult to go into heavily armed villages and make the arrests. "We had an incident last week where a PNG Defence Force unit had to fight its way out of an ambush. "The total number of police killed so far since 2017, and I've counted this myself, is between 20 and 25 officers killed, either shot or stabbed or ambushed." He said the legislation is there to tackle the outbreaks of conflict. "They've increased the penalties for gun possession, illegal possession of firearms; they've increased the penalties for drugs. "It's not just the implementation; it's the resourcing that will allow for the implementation to happen, for the enforcement to happen. "It's a complex area that government is trying to deal with, but the results will take a few years."
RNZ News
5 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Call for action against violence in PNG
Satellite map view of Enga Province in Papua New Guinea. Photo: Google Maps A journalist says people in Papua New Guinea want action to violence - not just the usual condemnation from leaders. Another gruesome video is circulating social media from Enga Province, which has a recent history of tribal conflict. RNZ Pacific correspondent Scott Waide said people are calling on their leaders to act. "A lot of them are asking why we keep having this kind of violence in the province and being recorded on social media," he said. "Some people have been questioning why we've introduced anti-terror laws and yet it's being slow to be implemented in the district." He said the video came from Kompiam-Ambun, the electorate of former speaker Sir John Pundari. "There's been no political responses yet, the police have indicated that there are looking into it but the responses, as usual, will come a few days later. "They don't want [just] the usual condemnation; they want condemnation and action arrests." Waide said police have found it difficult to go into heavily armed villages and make the arrests. "We had an incident last week where a PNG Defence Force unit had to fight its way out of an ambush. "The total number of police killed so far since 2017, and I've counted this myself, is between 20 and 25 officers killed, either shot or stabbed or ambushed." He said the legislation is there to tackle the outbreaks of conflict. "They've increased the penalties for gun possession, illegal possession of firearms; they've increased the penalties for drugs. "It's not just the implementation; it's the resourcing that will allow for the implementation to happen, for the enforcement to happen. "It's a complex area that government is trying to deal with, but the results will take a few years."
