20 Jan 2014

PNG PM says truth will come out in anti-corruption probe

7:30 am on 20 January 2014

The Papua New Guinea prime minister Peter O'Neill says he is confident the truth will eventually be revealed through the anti-corruption probe into alleged improper payments to a law firm.

The investigations into how 28 million US dollars was directed from government coffers to Paul Paraka Lawyers, implicated Mr O'Neill, the treasurer Don Polye, the finance minister James Marape, a former finance secretary Steven Gibson and others.

The Task Force Sweep team has deemed there is no case to pursue against the prime minister because the letter did not originate from his office.

Peter O'Neill says the letter in question also does not clearly indicate that payments should be made to the law firm.

"It is the truth and that we have all along stated that clearly that that letter did not originate out of the prime minister's office. After a thorough search by the investigating team they're unable to find the evidence of the letter being signed in and out of the prime minister's [office]."

Peter O'Neill says the Task Force Sweep team has a fair idea of where the letter originated and says he cannot make further comment because it is an independent investigation.