On 26 January 2017 I made this report to the PNG Ombudsman and the Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea.
Unlawful incorporation of the Clinton Foundation - for the attention of Acting Chief Ombudsman Michael Dick
By copy to the Chief Justice of PNG Sir Salamo Injia in his capacity as a director of the Board of the Ombudsman's Commission
Dear Mr Dick,
Unlawful Incorporation and operation of the Clinton Foundation HIV/Aids Initiative Inc in Papua New Guinea.
May I ask that you commission investigations into each of
the PNG Registrar of Companies conduct and
the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary's investigation into any offences arising from my report of 29 September 2016.
ENDS
I have now received advice from the acting Chief Ombudsman Michael Dick, who courteously copied me on his instruction to a team of 7 people within the Ombudsman's office.
All, forward to you are some information from one Michael Smith. Analyse the same and provide advise for further actions.
ACO
Here is some background information to the Ombudsman Commission
The Ombudsman Commission is an independent institution established directly by the Constitution. It forms an integral part of the system of checks and balances that have been out in place by the Constitution to regulate the governance of Papua New Guinea .
In general terms, the Commission has been established to: guard against the abuse of power by those in the public sector; assist those exercising public power to do their jobs efficiently and fairly and impose accountability on those who are exercising public power.
There are two special features of the Ombudsman Commission that set it apart from equivalent institutions in other countries. The Ombudsman Commission performs a range of different functions, which in other countries are dealt with by different institutions. The Commission's independence is guaranteed by the Constitution, in a number of different ways. In most other countries, ombudsman institutions do not have this special status.
Another innovative feature of the way the ombudsman concept was developed in PNG is the use of a Commission, rather than a single office-holder, to exercise the constitutional powers. In most other countries, the powers of an ombudsman rest ultimately with a single person.
Our vision
The Ombudsman Commission's vision is to promote good leadership and good governance
Our mission
The Ombudsman Commission aspires:
to ensure that all governmental bodies are responsive to the needs and aspirations of the People; and
to help in the improvement of the work of governmental bodies and the elimination of unfairness and discrimination by them; and
to help in the elimination of unfair or otherwise defective legislation and practices affecting or administered by governmental bodies; and
to supervise the enforcement of the Leadership Code.
This is the constitutional mandate and the mission of the Ombudsman Commission provided under Section 218 (purposes of the Commission) of the Constitution
Our motivation
The members of the Commission and officers in the Service of the Commission are motivated by the Constitution and the National Goals and Directive Principles enshrined in the Constitution. These are the goals and objectives that the People of Papua New Guinea, through their elected representatives adopted at Independence on 16 September 1975.
The appointment of Members of the Ombudsman Commission
The Chief Ombudsman and the two Ombudsmen are appointed by the Governor-General, acting with, and in accordance with the advice of the Ombudsman Appointments Committee (Constitution, Section 217(2)). This Committee consists of:
the Prime Minister as Chairman
the Chief Justice;
the Leader of the Opposition;
the Chairman of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Appointments; and
the Chairman of the Public Services Commission.
ENDS
Two final considerations.
Mr Dick is the acting chief ombudsman. PNG has a new Governor General.
Bob Dadae named next Governor-General of Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea's Parliament has selected a new Governor-General for the country.
MPs voted for Bob Dadae, a serving MP in the same party as Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.
He received 55 votes in the 111-seat parliament, beating former defence force commander Ted Diro and former MP Timothy Bonga.
Unlike in Australia, PNG's governor-general is elected by parliament rather than being appointed on the advice of the prime minister.
Mr Dadae has served three terms as a Member of Parliament for Kabwum, in Morobe Province, and is a former minister for defence and former deputy speaker of parliament.
Mr Dadae will be officially sworn into office on February 28, when current Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio's term expires.
Comments
Papua New Guinea's Ombudsman's Commission assigns team of 7 to Clinton investigation
On 26 January 2017 I made this report to the PNG Ombudsman and the Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea.
Unlawful incorporation of the Clinton Foundation - for the attention of Acting Chief Ombudsman Michael Dick
By copy to the Chief Justice of PNG Sir Salamo Injia in his capacity as a director of the Board of the Ombudsman's Commission
Dear Mr Dick,
Unlawful Incorporation and operation of the Clinton Foundation HIV/Aids Initiative Inc in Papua New Guinea.
May I ask that you commission investigations into each of
the PNG Registrar of Companies conduct and
the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary's investigation into any offences arising from my report of 29 September 2016.
ENDS
I have now received advice from the acting Chief Ombudsman Michael Dick, who courteously copied me on his instruction to a team of 7 people within the Ombudsman's office.
All, forward to you are some information from one Michael Smith. Analyse the same and provide advise for further actions.
ACO
Here is some background information to the Ombudsman Commission
The Ombudsman Commission is an independent institution established directly by the Constitution. It forms an integral part of the system of checks and balances that have been out in place by the Constitution to regulate the governance of Papua New Guinea .
In general terms, the Commission has been established to: guard against the abuse of power by those in the public sector; assist those exercising public power to do their jobs efficiently and fairly and impose accountability on those who are exercising public power.
There are two special features of the Ombudsman Commission that set it apart from equivalent institutions in other countries. The Ombudsman Commission performs a range of different functions, which in other countries are dealt with by different institutions. The Commission's independence is guaranteed by the Constitution, in a number of different ways. In most other countries, ombudsman institutions do not have this special status.
Another innovative feature of the way the ombudsman concept was developed in PNG is the use of a Commission, rather than a single office-holder, to exercise the constitutional powers. In most other countries, the powers of an ombudsman rest ultimately with a single person.
Our vision
The Ombudsman Commission's vision is to promote good leadership and good governance
Our mission
The Ombudsman Commission aspires:
to ensure that all governmental bodies are responsive to the needs and aspirations of the People; and
to help in the improvement of the work of governmental bodies and the elimination of unfairness and discrimination by them; and
to help in the elimination of unfair or otherwise defective legislation and practices affecting or administered by governmental bodies; and
to supervise the enforcement of the Leadership Code.
This is the constitutional mandate and the mission of the Ombudsman Commission provided under Section 218 (purposes of the Commission) of the Constitution
Our motivation
The members of the Commission and officers in the Service of the Commission are motivated by the Constitution and the National Goals and Directive Principles enshrined in the Constitution. These are the goals and objectives that the People of Papua New Guinea, through their elected representatives adopted at Independence on 16 September 1975.
The appointment of Members of the Ombudsman Commission
The Chief Ombudsman and the two Ombudsmen are appointed by the Governor-General, acting with, and in accordance with the advice of the Ombudsman Appointments Committee (Constitution, Section 217(2)). This Committee consists of:
the Prime Minister as Chairman
the Chief Justice;
the Leader of the Opposition;
the Chairman of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Appointments; and
the Chairman of the Public Services Commission.
ENDS
Two final considerations.
Mr Dick is the acting chief ombudsman. PNG has a new Governor General.
Bob Dadae named next Governor-General of Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea's Parliament has selected a new Governor-General for the country.
MPs voted for Bob Dadae, a serving MP in the same party as Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.
He received 55 votes in the 111-seat parliament, beating former defence force commander Ted Diro and former MP Timothy Bonga.
Unlike in Australia, PNG's governor-general is elected by parliament rather than being appointed on the advice of the prime minister.
Mr Dadae has served three terms as a Member of Parliament for Kabwum, in Morobe Province, and is a former minister for defence and former deputy speaker of parliament.
Mr Dadae will be officially sworn into office on February 28, when current Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio's term expires.
