Joseph
Veramu and Mariam Mathew
The
2022 Corruption Perceptions Index[1] (CPI) released by Transparency
International (TI) showed that the Asia Pacific region stagnated with an
average score of 45 for the fourth year in a row.
We
emphasize that the 1- or 2-point differences in country scores in this
paragraph is not statistically significant and not necessarily indicative of
larger trends. Fiji leads the Pacific but fell from 55 to 53 this year. Vanuatu
gained 3 points from last year to register a score of 48. The Solomon Islands
fell by 1 point to 42. Papua New Guinea (PNG) once again scores least but
further fell by 1 point from last year to register this year’s score of 30.
Across the pond New Zealand leads in Oceania and second globally with a score
of 87. It fell by 1 point from last year’s score. Australia’s score is 75; a
2-point increase from last year.
Despite
the opportunity presented by the numerous diplomatic summits held in the region
in 2022, (including the Pacific Islands Forum in July) states continued to
focus on economic development at the expense of other priorities, including
anti-corruption efforts.
Mariam
Mathew, Pacific Advisor at TI Secretariat said, “The Pacific has shown some
encouraging signs, notably the endorsement of the Teieniwa vision in 2021 and
the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent in 2022, but anti-corruption
commitments have not yet translated into reduced corruption rates”.
Pacific
country insights:
Joseph
Veramu, Executive Director of CLCT Integrity Fiji said, “We applaud the new
government for committing to repeal many undemocratic laws and measures taken
by the previous government. We now urge them to prioritise strengthening
anti-corruption efforts. This includes ensuring that the Fiji Independent
Commission against Corruption (FICAC) remains operational and is able to
operate independently and with adequate capacity”. As Fiji’s score in the 2022
CPI fell by 2 points since last year, we believe that all stakeholders in
Government, the media, private sector and civil society should work together to
curb corruption.”
Ruth
Liloqula, Executive Director of Transparency Solomon Islands noted, “The 2022
CPI score of Solomon Islands shows that government’s efforts to tackle
corruption in the public sector is not going anywhere; it has become stagnant.
The key Government Institutions that should be leading or providing the
leadership, bringing in reforms etc. in this fight, are the most corrupt.” On a
positive note, Liloqula said that the determination of CSO’s, journalists,
concerned citizens, and actors within the government were tenacious in the
fight against corruption. “Power is in people’s hand to hold leaders to account
and to nurture leaders who develop a culture of integrity and anti-corruption
in government,” she added.
PNG
in 2022 experienced what is being called the country’s worst elections ever[2]
despite a history of electoral rife. TI PNG’s report[3] found numerous
irregularities, with out-of-date election rolls, stolen ballot boxes and even
bouts of violence. None of this bodes well for democratic development in PNG
and may directly affect its future CPI score.
Vanuatu
however, was a bright spot this year. The people are becoming more aware of
corruption as an issue, as civil society organisations form coalitions to hold
government accountable. In an important win, the government committed to
establishing an anti-corruption commission in late 2021. Yet the country
continues to grapple with political instability, with snap elections held this
year[4] after the prospect of a no-confidence vote triggered the president to
call elections in August.
Clancy
Moore, CEO of TI Australia noted, “Across the Pacific, corruption poses a
direct threat to national and regional peace, stability and security. The
Australian government’s foreign policy should prioritise promoting democracy,
good governance and civil society accountability efforts.” He added “TI
Australia works with our chapters in the Pacific to tackle corruption risks in
the mining and infrastructure sector which are skyrocketing as governments and
businesses invest in renewable energy. We can also work together to stop money
laundering in the region.”
Insights into New Zealand and Australia
Anne
Tolley, Chair of TI New Zealand stated, “While New Zealand remains among the
least corrupt countries in the world, the drop from first is a reminder that
complacency is not an option in our battle against corruption,” “The gradual
decline in our ranking among the component indexes that measure business
perceptions is particularly troublesome. Maintaining low levels of corruption
is essential for our trade dependent economy,” Tolley added.
Julie
Haggie, CEO of TI New Zealand stated, “the good news in 2023 will be the
drafting of legislation creating a register of beneficial ownership which will
improve monitoring and investigation by government agencies, whilst also
reducing business compliance costs. We are looking forward to hearing about
progress towards a more transparent government procurement system. TI New
Zealand has been actively advocating on these issues and is regularly involved
in consultations.”
Clancy
Moore noted “after ten years of democratic backsliding, Australia is now in
13th place behind countries including New Zealand and Denmark scoring 75 points
on the 100-point scale. “Australia’s score is 10 points lower than in 2012,
though a two-point increase in this year’s report – from its lowest ever score
of 73 last year – shows Australia may be turning the corner off the back of the
landmark National Anti-Corruption Commission. To be a leader in tackling
corruption, Australia should introduce a whole of government anti-corruption
strategy including comprehensive whistle blower protections, reforms to
political donations, expenditure, unfair lobbying and strong laws to stop money
laundering.”
Recommendations:
During
the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in July 2022, Transparency
International Pacific chapters[5] had urged leaders[6] to respond to key
corruption findings from a public survey assessing people’s views and
experiences of corruption in ten forum member countries and territories. With
the 2022 CPI scores being released, it is important that these recommendations
be revisited. They are listed as follows:
(a)
Strengthening accountability of political leaders, requiring all high-level
officials to publicly disclose their income and assets, tightly monitoring
discretionary public funds, and empowering the police and courts to properly
investigate and punish corruption
(b)
Increasing transparency in the relationship between government and businesses,
by monitoring companies’ involvement in electoral campaigns and policy making,
and by ensuring that all public contracts are awarded fairly and competitively
(c) Eradicating bribery opportunities by
investing in clear and uncomplicated systems for accessing public services
(d) Ensuring elections are fair and free of
vote-buying or threats, by strengthening independent electoral commissions and
anti-corruption agencies
(e) Introducing and enforcing right to
information and whistle-blower protection laws, so that citizens and
journalists can hold power to account without fear of retaliation.
Anti-corruption
activists in the region need to redouble their efforts and actively engage
governments nationally and at regional forums to combat the growing scourge of
corruption.
[1] 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index
[2]
https://www.economist.com/asia/2022/08/11/papua-new-guinea-conducts-its-worst-election-ever
[3]
https://transparencypng.org.pg/tipng-domestic-election-observation-report-2022/
[4] https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/476496/vanuatu-election-international-observers-arrive
[5] Transparency
International Pacific chapters include Transparency Vanuatu, Transparency
Solomon Islands, Transparency International PNG, CLCT Integrity Fiji,
Transparency International Australia and Transparency International New Zealand
[6]
https://twitter.com/integrity_fiji/status/1545670098249080833
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