Papua New Guinean Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina pleads not guilty to assaulting woman in Bondi

The Papua New Guinean petroleum minister has denied allegations he assaulted a woman in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Here’s the latest as he faced court.

A senior Papua New Guinean government minister allegedly involved in domestic dispute, leaving a woman with facial injuries, has denied the allegations in court.

Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina appeared at Waverley Local Court on Thursday where he was represented by high-profile barrister Margaret Cunneen SC who entered a not guilty plea to assault occasioning actual bodily harm on her client’s behalf.

Police were called to an alleged domestic dispute at a property on Imperial Ave, Bondi about 10am on Saturday where officers spoke to a 31-year-old woman with facial injuries.

Police allege it was as a result of an altercation with a 58-year-old man known to her.

The man was taken to Waverley police station and charged before being granted conditional bail.

Papua New Guinea petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina. Picture: Supplied

Maladina leaving Waverley Local Court on Thursday.

Ms Cunneen asked Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge for a hearing date, estimating it would take “no longer than a day”.

The matter was ultimately adjourned to July 17 at Downing Centre Local Court to fix a hearing date.

Maladina previously said in a statement he was “fully co-operating with the authorities to address this matter”.

“I understand the gravity of this situation and the concerns it raises. As a public servant, I hold myself to high standards of conduct, both personally and professionally,” he said.

“I want to make it clear that violence in any form is unacceptable, and I am committed to handling this situation with integrity and transparency.”

Maladina was first elected to the Papua New Guinean government at the 2022 general election and it is understood he graduated with a Masters of Law from Sydney University.