Papua New Guinea’s petroleum minister will fight an accusation that he assaulted a woman during a domestic dispute in Sydney.
Jimmy Maladina, 58, pleaded not guilty in Waverley Local Court today after being charged over the weekend with attacking a 31-year-old woman.
Police were called to a property in the eastern suburb of Bondi on Saturday, when they found the woman with facial injuries.
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It is alleged the assault took place between 10am and 10.30am that day, according to court documents.
Maladina appeared in court represented by high-profile barrister Margaret Cunneen, who recently successfully defended rugby star Kurtley Beale on a rape charge.
Cunneen entered a plea on Maladina’s behalf of not guilty to one count of domestic violence assault occasioning bodily harm.
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The PNG minister stepped down from his government role earlier in the week while the case was before the courts.
He remains on bail under conditions including that he not contact the alleged victim or anyone she has a domestic relationship with.
“You must not approach or be in the company of (the alleged victim) for at least 12 hours after drinking alcohol or taking illicit drugs,” the bail conditions state.
Maladina is due to return to court on Wednesday ahead of a scheduled hearing.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
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