Papua New Guinea’s petroleum minister, Jimmy Maladina, has been charged with assault following an alleged domestic dispute in Sydney, Australia.
According to court documents, Maladina is accused of attacking a 31-year-old woman known to him, resulting in her suffering facial injuries.
The incident occurred on Saturday morning, at an address on Imperial Avenue in Bondi. Maladina has been granted conditional bail pending a court appearance on July 11.
In a public statement Maladina acknowledged the situation and expressed his commitment to cooperating with authorities, emphasising that violence is unacceptable and that he intends to handle the matter with ‘integrity and transparency.’
Maladina, who became PNG’s petroleum minister earlier this year, is an important figure in the administration of President James Marape, playing a crucial role in the country’s efforts to commercialise its natural gas resources. His involvement in the high-profile project and his recent appointment underscore the impact of the charges on both his professional standing and the broader political landscape.
