Although still a start-up organization, the Independent Commission against Corruption [ICAC] Commissioner, Andrew Forbes is confident and optimistic that the organization will be partly operational before the end of the year and fully operational by the start of 2024. Commissioner Forbes told PNG HAUSBUNG that although they may be optimistic, their ability to progress to a fully operational organization will largely depend on funding received from the government. “Whilst our national budget submission for a fully operational ICAC has been submitted to Treasury, we are hopeful that it will be considered to ensure fully operational ICAC by 2024.” He stated that the government of the day has made a commitment to appoint 3 commissioners and while they are committed to fulfilling the plans of ICAC, they are hoping to be fully resourced and equipped to carry out their functions. “We are happy to advise that through a lot of hard work by our small number of staff, we are quietly confident about fulfilling our plans.” In terms of recruitment for ICAC, he mentioned that this is also entirely dependent on funding from the government through the government budgetary process. Despite this they have been able to carry out the recruitment of key senior staff, whom they hope will commence with the Organization at the end of this year or early 2024. “Furthermore, the commission has decided and approved an organizational structure ideal for PNG ICAC.” The Commissioner stated that while this has facilitated the progress of the recruitment, they are anticipating a fully funded ICAC through the budgetary process that will enable the recruitment of staff for key positions.