About
Corruption in the Pacific is a real and immediate challenge to the security and prosperity of Pacific Island peoples. Corruption undermines the stability and security of societies, erodes democracy and ultimately undermines the rule of law.
PILON is committed to supporting transparent and accountable legal frameworks in the region and upholding the rule of law. The importance of combatting corruption to the region is reflected in Pacific Leaders’ reaffirmation of the rules-based international order in the Boe Declaration on Regional Security (‘Boe Declaration’).
The Boe Declaration identifies transnational crime and human security as key strategic focus areas. Corruption, money laundering and financial crimes are specific categories to be addressed in the Boe Declaration Action Plan. PILON’s focus on combatting corruption as a strategic priority provides a collective approach to support leaders’ commitment to the rule of law. In line with the Action Plan, the PILON Corruption Working Group is focussing on improving capacity to implement and enforce anti-corruption laws.
PILON works with regional and international partners, including the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project and the Asia/Pacific Group on Anti Money Laundering to deliver activities including regional workshops, training and development of practical resources.
Chair
- Andie Driu (Director of Public Prosecutions, Republic of Nauru)
Members
- American Samoa
- Australia
- Cook Islands
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji Islands
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
Upcoming activities
Completed activities
PILON Corruption Working Group - ``Anti-money laundering offences``
21 March 2024
On Thursday 21 March, the PILON Corruption Working Group delivered a webinar on “The revised Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering’s Mutual Evaluation process”.
The webinar featured;
Ms. Nicola Critchley who is the Director of the team responsible for Australia’s engagement with the Financial Action Task Force and the APG. Nicola specialises in anti money laundering and counter terrorist financing, and her team offers technical assistance and training on AML and CTF matters tot he Pacific region.
And Ms. Sabrina Loo who is a senior policy officer who specialises in AML and CTF policy matters. Sabrina’s areas of expertise include beneficial ownership transparency, and supporting Australia’s engagement with both the FATF and APG.
PILON Corruption Working Group - ``Anti-money laundering offences``
21 September 2023
On Thursday 21 September, the PILON Corruption Working Group delivered a webinar on “Anti-money laundering offences”.
The webinar featured, Mr. Michael Petty, who worked as a Federal Agent with the Australian Federal Police and Ms. Anna Solovjev worked as a criminal prosecutor for the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions.
To view the recording of the webinar please log in or sign into the Members Zone/Corruption working group (we recommend to use Google Chrome to access the Members Zone).
PILON Corruption Working Group - Mutual Assistance Webinar
21 October 2022
On Friday 21 October 2022, the PILON Corruption Working Group delivered a webinar on mutual assistance. The webinar featured speakers from the Solomon Islands Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Australian Attorney-General’s Department, Australian Federal Police, United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Department of Justice, and the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre. Speakers shared their observations and experiences on international crime cooperation and obtaining evidence through the mutual assistance process.
The webinar is pre-recorded so you can watch it at any time by logging in or signing into the Members Zone/Corruption Working Group (we recommend to use Google Chrome to access the Members Zone).
We hope you enjoy this presentation and please let us know what you think by emailing pilon@pilonsec.org.
Webinar available now – Members Zone/Corruption Working Group
PILON Corruption Working Group and Cybercrime Working Group Webinar: Following the Digital Paper Trail
1 April 2022
The PILON Corruption Working Group and Cybercrime Working Group delivered a webinar on “Following the Digital Paper Trail”. The webinar featured speakers from Fiji Police Force (Digital Forensics and IT Investigation Unit), Nauru’s Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. Speakers shared their observations and experiences in tackling corruption related cyber crimes, particularly around the gathering, analysis and use of digital evidence.
The webinar is pre-recorded so you can watch it at any time by logging in or signing into the Members Zone/Corruption Working Group (we recommend to use Google Chrome to access the Members Zone).
We hope you enjoy this presentation and please let us know what you think by emailing pilon@pilonsec.org.
Whistleblowing animated video 1 and video 2
Whistleblowing animated video 1 – https://youtu.be/Gx0rRrCXq9s
Whistleblowing animated video 2 – https://youtu.be/52Mtw5WJ8dA
Inserted are templates/discussion guide tips to help our PILON Members get the news out to their government colleagues about the videos.
Attachment 1 (all-staff email template)
Whistleblower Protection: Developing Comprehensive Whistleblower Protections - An Overview (49 mins)
Webinar available now – Members Zone/Corruption Working Group
Have you ever wondered what the term ‘whistleblower’ actually means? Are you thinking of creating or improving a whistleblower framework? Would you like to hear more about international best practice to protect and support whistleblowers?
The Pacific Islands Law Officers’ Network (PILON) Corruption Working Group is pleased to present the first in a series of three webinars on Whistleblower Protection. This event, partnered with the United Nations Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project (UN-PRAC), is presented by Dr Ashley Savage (technical expert and UN-PRAC consultant) and features opening remarks by Mr Ronald Talasasa (Director of Public Prosecutions, Nauru).
The webinar is pre-recorded so you can watch it at any time by logging in or signing into the Members Zone/Corruption Working Group (we recommend to use Google Chrome to access the Members Zone).
We hope you enjoy this presentation and please let us know what you think by emailing pilon@pilonsec.org.
PILON Week Webinar – The effects of COVID-19 on corruption in the Pacific
12 November 2020, 3pm Samoa Time (WST)
This event, partnered with UN-PRAC, was delivered by United National technical advisers on anti-corruption. Annika Wythes (UNODC) and Sonja Stefanovska-Trajanoska (UNDP) provided corruption and COVID-19 insights for the Pacific, discussing the ways in which the pandemic has amplified the effects of corruption, and ways in which the region can combat this threat.
Posters showcasing their presentations:
Presentation poster - Annika Wythes
Presentation poster - Sonja Stefanovska-Trajanoska
Recording of this webinar can be found here.
Framework for Prosecuting Corruption in the Pacific: Experiences, Challenges and Lessons Learnt
The Framework provides a baseline understanding of PILON countries’ legal frameworks and experiences in prosecuting corruption, including case studies of successful prosecutions of bribery, embezzlement and money laundering offences.
Who, What, Why of Whistleblower Protection for the Pacific
The booklet promotes understanding about the benefits of protected disclosure frameworks and identifies some of the specific issues faced by small Pacific Island communities. The booklet includes a model whistleblower policy that could be adapted for government agencies, as appropriate.
Guiding Principles for Protecting Whistleblowers and Encouraging Protected Disclosures
The guidelines set out the main elements for a protected disclosure, or whistleblowing, legislative framework to assist countries who might be considering the development of legislation to protect those who report corrupt activities.
PILON/APG (Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering) Typologies Report: Recovering the Proceeds of Corruption in the Pacific
This report compiles relevant regional case studies on corruption and related money laundering prosecutions and highlights key challenges and successes. It provides recommendations to improve law enforcement and prosecutorial responses to corruption through effective anti-money laundering and proceeds of crime frameworks.
Effective Asset Management: A practical guide to the administration of seized, restrained and confiscated property for Pacific jurisdictions
This guide provides the building blocks for the development of property management laws and procedures in proceeds of crime matters, with a view to assisting Pacific jurisdictions to develop or enhance their frameworks in this area.
Guide to Legislative International Best Practice for Anti-Corruption Agencies
The purpose of this Guide is to assist Pacific Island countries which are considering establishing or reforming agencies with an anti-corruption focus, by examining international best practice regarding the legislative framework for anti-corruption agencies.
Roles and functions of Ombudsman and current complaint mechanisms in Pacific Islands
This paper details of how Ombudsman and non-Ombudsman complaint handling mechanisms vary between different Pacific Islands.
PILON Corruption Working Group - ``Gift giving vs Corruption``
22 June 2023
On Thursday 22 June 2023, the PILON Corruption Working Group delivered a webinar on “Gift giving vs Corruption – where is the line?”.
The webinar featured Mr Johnson Toribiong, former President of Palau, Mrs Mele Lemaki Tagivakatini from the Office of the Solicitor General (Nauru), and Commissioner Rashmi Aslam from the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Speakers shared their observations and experiences on the difficulties that Pacific law and justice officials encounter when seeking to differentiate between the longstanding practice of gift giving and corrupt behaviors such as fraud or bribery.
For your convenience, the webinar was recorded.
To view the recording of the webinar please click here
We hope you enjoy this presentation and please let us know what you think by emailing pilon@pilonsec.org.
Further learning resources
For further resources and useful tips in relation to combating corruption, please visit the Digital Library.
