IRC Strengthens Tax Crime Capability Through Collaboration with Australian Taxation Office

Revenue Haus, Downtown Port Moresby, Friday 6 March 2026 – The Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) yesterday awarded certificates to seventeen officers, following the successful completion of a two-week Criminal Tax Investigation Training Programme delivered in partnership with the Australian Taxation Office(ATO) under the Tax Inspectors Without Borders(TWIB) – Criminal Investigation initiative supported by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD) and the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP).

The officers, who will support the work of the IRC’s newly established Tax Crime Division, were drawn from several divisions across the organization, including the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Audit Division, Audit Strategy and Policy Division (ASPD), Internal Audit and Integrity Division (IAID), and the Legal Services Division (LSD).

The training package was developed and delivered by ATO Expert Justin Clarke, with technical support from Tax Crime Division(TCD) Assistant Commissioner, Kelly Kaisa and senior investigator, Ted Maino. This collaboration ensured that the investigative methods introduced align with international best practice while being adaptable to PNG’s legal and operational context. As the Tax Crime Division continues to grow, this programme establishes the Division’s foundational investigative doctrine and strengthens the institutional integrity expected of a modern tax administration.

IRC Acting Commissioner General, Sam Loi, in presenting the certificates, acknowledged the importance of the training and the strategic partnership between the IRC and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), noting that the programme directly strengthens PNG’s tax administration at a critical time.

“The Tax Crime Division carries a mandate that extends beyond administrative compliance. It must uphold investigative standards that meet international expectations, especially as tax crime increasingly spans borders,” Mr. Loi said. “By equipping our officers with these specialised skills, we are strengthening our ability to protect national revenue, deter high‑risk non‑compliance, and reinforce public confidence in the tax system.”

Mr. Loi further recognised the ATO’s continued partnership as an important pillar of the Commission’s capacity‑building journey.

The IRC will continue to refine training materials for future cohorts, progress legal and procedural improvements needed to support tax crime enforcement, and work closely with the IRC Legal Division and its law‑enforcement partners to ensure consistent, whole‑of‑government alignment. Follow‑on TIWB missions are planned as recruitment for the Division progresses and operational capacity expands.

 “As we work to build a trusted and progressive tax authority, partnerships like this ensure our systems and people are prepared to handle the complex demands of modern tax administration,” he added.

The Acting Commissioner General concluded that this milestone is more than the completion of a training programme—it is a step forward in strengthening PNG’s governance framework and demonstrating its commitment to transparency, capability and effective enforcement.

The IRC remains focused on building a tax administration that is credible, modern and trustworthy.