Australian Prosecutors Drop Assault Charge Against Papua New Guinea Lawmaker

Jimmy Maladina, who pleaded not guilty to the 2024 charge, remains a government lawmaker as questions linger over his political future.

Australian prosecutors formally withdrew the assault charge against Papua New Guinea's Jimmy Maladina on March 20, 2025, concluding the legal case.
The charge stemmed from an alleged incident involving a 31-year-old woman on July 6, 2024, during Maladina's private visit to Sydney.
Maladina had stepped down as Papua New Guinea's Petroleum Minister during the court process but was reinstated in October 2024; he remains a government lawmaker.
The case highlighted Australia's legal distinction that foreign officials do not receive immunity for private visits, which allowed the case to proceed.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape's office has not commented on the case's resolution or its potential implications for Maladina's political career.