Prosecutors in Australia have abandoned an assault case against Papua New Guinea’s Petroleum Minister, Jimmy Maladina, 58. Maladina was set to stand trial on Thursday over allegations that he assaulted a 31-year-old woman he was acquainted with, at a home in eastern Sydney. However, the authorities have now dropped the single charge of assault related to bodily harm stemming from the incident on July 6th.

Police had been called to a property in Bondi, where they found Maladina, two children, and a woman with facial injuries. Maladina, who pleaded not guilty, stepped down from his ministerial position after the charges were laid against him. He was later reinstated in October following advice from Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister regarding the case.

After the withdrawal of the charges, Maladina was seen in court with his barrister, Margaret Cunneen, in Sydney. Additionally, a restraining order application on behalf of the victim was shifted to a hearing scheduled for Monday.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/20/australian-police-drop-domestic-violence-charge-against-png-government-minister-in-sydney