International Media Coverage for ISCI Report

The International State Crime Initiative, led by The Dickson Poon School of Law, released a report yesterday on the demolition of Paga Hill, Papua New Guinea.

On 12 May 2012, one hundred police officers set upon one of the city’s oldest settlements, Paga Hill, armed with rifles, machetes and sticks. The report chronicles the history of the Paga Hill Estate which is situated in Port Moresby.

The Australian newspaper published an article featuring the Initiative’s report and questioning the secretary of Paga Hill Development Company, who hold a lease on 14ha of land on Paga Hill. An ABC radio programme, Pacific Beat, has also featured the story.

Director of the Initiative, Professor Penny Green, said she was pleased the report was attracting international media coverage and raising awareness of the demolition of Paga Hill.

‘The report, based on meticulous research carried out by ISCI’s Dr Kristian Lasslett, reveals a catalogue of corruption and state/corporate crime.  Here, as deviant corporate and PNG state interests combine, an Australian-based developer with a dubious history was given carte blanche to destroy the homes and livelihoods of settlers living in Port Moresby’s Paga Hill in order to pave the way for a luxury development.

‘The findings of this report reveal that an international cartel of businessmen and politicians were able to act with impunity in a brutal act of profiteering.’

To read the full report, visit the International State Crime Initiative webpage.

Listen to Dr Kristian Lasslett speak on ABC radio.