25 Nov 2013

PNG corruption report injunction hearing nears close

7:27 pm on 25 November 2013

A report into corruption in Papua New Guinea may be made public by the end of the week, depending on a High Court decision.

The Final Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Finance Department has been the centre of controversy for three years, with recently-arrested lawyer Paul Paraka gaining an injunction in the courts against the release of the document.

The long-standing leave application brought by Mr Paraka and Zachery Gelu was completed on Saturday before chief justice Sir Salamo Injia.

Senior lawyer Harvey Nii, who represents the applicants, argued the instrument used by the prime minister to initiate the inquiry did not comply with the Commission of Inquiry Act.

Peter Kuman, on behalf of the Commission and the respondents, argued that the considerable delay precluded the Court granting leave.

The chief justice reserved his decision, which will be handed down on Friday.