National

PNG minister to be appointed after Australian arrest

By AAP Newswire

Jul 8, 2024

the flag of Papua New Guinea — A minister in Papua New Guinea's government will face a Sydney court charged with domestic violence. -AAP Image

Papua New Guinea will appoint an acting petroleum minister after Jimmy Maladina stepped down while he faces charges over an alleged domestic assault in Australia.

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The 58-year-old was charged over an alleged domestic dispute after police were called to an address in Sydney's eastern suburb of Bondi and found a 31-year-old woman with facial injuries on Saturday.

He was arrested and taken to Waverley police station where he was charged and will appear before the local court on Thursday.

Mr Maladina has been granted bail, with conditions including not contacting the alleged victim or anyone she has a domestic relationship with, assaulting or threatening her or stalking, harassing or intimidating her.

"You must not approach or be in the company of (the alleged victim) for at least 12 hours after drinking alcohol or taking illicit drugs," the bail conditions state.

A PNG governor said he was "deeply embarrassed" at the arrest and expressed sympathy for the alleged victim.

East Sepik Province Governor Allan Bird said the allegation was deeply concerning given "violence against women in PNG has reached pandemic proportions and our women and girls continue to live in fear".

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