Papua New Guinea minister facing domestic assault charge steps down. Opposition demands resignation

Associated Press

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Papua New Guinea’s opposition leader has urged the country’s premier Tuesday to fire the petroleum minister who is stepping down from office as he faces alleged domestic assault charges in Australia instead. Police in the Australian state of New South Wales said earlier that a man, widely reported as Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina, has been charged with assault after a domestic dispute involving a woman known to him. He is on bail and will appear Thursday in court. Maladina has not said whether he will defend the charge. Opposition leader Douglas Tomuriesa called Tuesday for Maladina to be sacked as he would still be paid even after stepping down.