5 Feb 2010

PNG Finance Minister to face Leadership Tribunal

2:53 pm on 5 February 2010

A leadership tribunal has been appointed in Papua New Guinea to hear allegations of misconduct against the Finance and Treasury Minister Patrick Pruaitch.

The Ombudsman Commission referred him to the public prosecutor last June for alleged misconduct in office after investigating a number of allegations against him.

The allegations include double-dipping into allowances, improper receipts for fuel charges, and the misappropriation of district support grants.

The National newspaper says Mr Pruaitch could not be reached for comments but in his initial response late last year, he said the allegations of misconduct had no substance.

No date has been set for the start of the inquiry.