Papua New Guinea’s top anti-corruption body, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), is reportedly on the brink of collapse as a bitter feud erupts between its three expatriate commissioners, leading to explosive allegations of misconduct, power abuse and retaliatory investigations.
As per a report in PNG Post-Courier, the turmoil centres on Australian lawyer and ICAC commissioner Andrew Forbes, who is the subject of an active arrest warrant over allegations of abusing his office, misappropriation, and secretly rewriting ICAC’s regulations to consolidate power.
The claims stem from a covert internal investigation codenamed “Operation North,” launched last year by his two deputy commissioners — former Victoria Police detective Daniel Baulch and ex-New Zealand fraud office executive Graham Gill.
According to documents seen by the ABC, it is alleged that Forbes altered the commission’s legislative powers to ensure only legally qualified commissioners — namely himself — could conduct hearings and issue directives. This move allegedly sidelined his deputies and concentrated key decision-making powers in his own hands.
But this saga took a dramatic twist when Forbes retaliated by referring his deputies to PNG police for allegedly misusing funds related to travel and accommodation. It is reported by PNG Post-Courier and the ABC that both Baulch and Gill have since left the country and deny the allegations, saying they are victims of “retaliatory behaviour” and vowing to defend their reputations.
It is also reported that almost all expatriate staff are expected to resign, severely weakening the commission’s ability to tackle the widespread corruption PNG is struggling to contain.
“This institution must not fall,” Prime Minister James Marape said in a statement, noting that cabinet is now reviewing a legal report into the matter with the aim of restoring order.
“It was created to be a cornerstone in the fight against corruption — not a battleground of personalities and power struggles.”
The timing couldn’t be worse for PNG, which faces a looming review by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and is at risk of being grey-listed — a move that would damage the country’s financial credibility and international standing.
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