Solomons PM to table anti-corruption and whistleblower bills

Transcript

Solomon Islands prime minister will this week table two bills aimed at tackling corruption in the country.

The 2016 Anti-Corruption and Whistleblowers Protection Bills are the first of their kind for Solomon Islands and fulfil an election promise made by Manasseh Sogavare on the steps of parliament two years ago.

A Chief Technical Advisor to the Prime Minister says the bills are important because very few corruption cases in the country ever make it to court out of a lack of evidence.

Mose Saitala spoke with Koroi Hawkins about the proposed legislation.

MOSE SAITALA: The anti-corruption bill is basically to build, establish a system for receiving and managing complaints about potential corruption engaged in by people in the public or private sector and also to introduce measures to prevent corruption including raising public awareness about the effects and prevention's of corruption's. But more importantly also it is to be able to establish a independent body and that is to create a new body a statutory body to be called the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption. That will function as a specialised institution to be able to prevent investigate and prosecute corruption offences.

KOROI HAWKINS: Now another piece of legislation also going through is a whistle-blower legislation. By that name I am assuming that is to protect public servants who would like to speak about corruption within their departments?

MS: Correct. It is not only about public servants it is also about anybody, any citizens and Solomon Islanders who would like to be able to blow the whistle if they see some suspicious activities going on. That person when he or she comes forward to be able to provide information to a corrupt action that is taking place. She or he will be protected by this act so that there will be no retaliation, victimisation of this person. whether by way of his work or even to the extent of his families. If some of those that are involved in corruption take actions to victimise this person so this act is purposely to protect that person from such victimisation by people. But the purpose of the Bill or the genesis of the Bill came about based on situations in Solomon Islands where we have a huge amount of complaints about corruption but there is very little prosecution of corruption in the country. It might not necessarily be the case that we cannot prosecute corruption simply because we do not have the evidence and the evidence may not be enough because the people are afraid of coming forward to provide the evidence.

KH: And finally maybe just looking at the both Bills together what is it hoped that they will achieve for Solomon Islands?

MS: There are a lot, I think we all know the problem of corruption and how it is affecting, hurting people especially people at very rural areas. Corruption stealing from the people because of opportunities that are foregone to better their well being or for economic development to take place in their areas. But it is also about the standing of Solomon Islands in the international community and so it is a very important act to bring about a more conducive environment for economic development to take place. It is also an act that will really help the people to benefit a lot more from public services. So I hope this Bill will really transcend Solomon Island's situation to where a lot can happen for the better of everybody and for the economy.

Over the weekend a statement from the Prime Minister's Office says the government would now be postponing the tabling of the Anti-Corruption Bill 2016 because of a reversal in the bi-partisan support for the bill.

The Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare expressed disappointment in both the opposition and independent groups for withdrawing their support for the establishment of a robust anti-corruption body in Solomon Islands.

According to the statement, the tabling of the bill will now been postponed until both sides of the house can see eye to eye on the matter.