15 Sep 2014

Vanuatu PM praised for anti-corruption stance

1:48 pm on 15 September 2014

Transparency International Vanuatu says it is getting a lot of support in its fight against corruption from the country's Prime Minister, Joe Natuman.

Mr Natuman, a veteran politician, became prime minister for the first time in May.

TIV's interim chair, Dr Willie Tokon, says despite the organisation's efforts to conduct civics education, there is still not a lot of understanding of what corruption is.

But he says the new government is supportive of its efforts.

"TIV received an invitation to go and take part in a workshop trying to set up an anti corruption commission in Vanuatu - something that Vanuatu ratified in the United Nations about 3 or 4 years ago, [but that] hasn't been done. So we regard this new prime minister in Vanuatu as a very strong ally in our fight."

Vanuatu Prime Minister Joe Natuman

Vanuatu Prime Minister Joe Natuman Photo: Supplied