Australia crackdown on PNG Criminals laundering money in Australia

Papua New Guinea's Anti-Corruption Taskforce chairman Sam Koim says Australian authorities are making progress in a crackdown on PNG criminals laundering money in Australia.

A number of suspicious bank accounts have been closed, more than $90 million of unpaid tax recovered, and PNG's former Planning Minister Paul Tiensten has been jailed.

The Australian Federal Police and PNG Anti-Corruption Taskforce have been working together to tackle cross-border crime since last December.

"Australia has set up a specific team to assist us," Mr Koim told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat.

"We've also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Australian Federal Police to share intelligence information, as well as conducting cross-border investigations."

The AFP estimates $200 million of PNG money acquired by crime is laundered in Australia every year.

The AFP had not caught any perpetrators prior to 2012.

Australian banks are also cooperating with operations, closing accounts of risky individuals.

Mr Koim says the results have made those involved in corrupt activities fearful.

"Now they know that there's no easy movement of funds across the border," he said.

"I've heard people who have done that previously, complaining that Australian banks and financial institutions are asking too many questions.

"I can see that they know that somebody's watching them."

The AFP and the Department of Justice have helped investigate a number of PNG cases in Australia.

"As a result of two mutual legal assistance requests, we've had restraining orders taken against assets owned by questionable PNG collectors here in Australia," Mr Koim said.

PNG Anti-Corruption Taskforce chairman Sam Koim Photo: PNG Anti-Corruption Taskforce chairman Sam Koim says progress is being made to crackdown on cross-border crime between PNG and Australia. 

Source: (Radio Australia: Ryan Egan)