Papua New Guinea lawmaker pleads not guilty in Sydney court to assaulting woman
Papua New Guinea’s sidelined Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina has pleaded not guilty to assaulting a woman during a domestic dispute in Australia
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Papua New Guinea's sidelined Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina pleaded not guilty in a Sydney court Thursday to a charge of assaulting a woman during a domestic dispute.
His lawyer Margaret Cunneen entered the plea on his behalf during his brief appearance in Waverley Local Court. Neither Maladine nor Cuneen made a statement to media waiting outside court.
Police allege he assaulted a 31-year-old woman Saturday at an address in nearby Bondi in Sydney’s expensive eastern suburbs and she suffered facial injuries. A conviction on the charge of assault resulting in bodily harm could carry a potential maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Maladina, 58, remains free on bail with restrictions on contact with the woman but there are no bail conditions that would prevent him from leaving Australia. Maladina will appear in court next on July 17 when a magistrate will set a hearing date.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape announced on Wednesday that Energy Minister Thomas Opa had taken over the petroleum portfolio since Maladina had stepped down during the court process. He remains a government lawmaker.
Foreign government ministers can claim immunity from criminal prosecution in Australia if they are visiting on business. But there is no immunity for private visits.
The Associated Press asked the Papua New Guinea High Commission in Australia on Tuesday whether Maladina was visiting on official business but received no reply.
Papua New Guinea is Australia’s nearest neighbor and an Australian colony until independence in 1975.
_____
Associated Press writers Charlotte Graham-McLay in Wellington, New Zealand, and Rod McGuirk in Melbourne, Australia, contributed to this report.