A cybercrime complaint has been lodged with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) Cybercrime Division.
The complaint seeks the arrest of Australian Kokoda tour operator David Howell over alleged criminal defamation and online harassment.
It stemmed from recent public claims by a Papua New Guinean woman, Ms. Helen Tuakara of Gulf Province, who alleged unfair treatment, unpaid entitlements and the loss of her job with Adventure Kokoda PNG.
Ms. Tuakara said her dispute is now before the PNG Labour Department.
Read more on her complaint earlier: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D4bNazdCE/
In response, Kokoda tourism pioneer and Adventure Kokoda PNG director, Major Charlie Lynn OAM OL, said the allegations circulating on social media are false, malicious and damaging to the company and its directors.
“Our PNG lawyers have advised that Mr. Howell’s online harassment is a breach of the PNG Cybercrime Code Act 2016,” Lynn said in a media statement.
According to Lynn, Howell, the owner of the business name Kokoda Historical, used social media platforms to publish what he described as defamatory statements accusing Lynn and Adventure Kokoda of illegal trekking, exploiting villagers, evading fees, causing a trekker’s death and other criminal activities.
Lynn said Howell is a member of the Kokoda Tour Operators Association (KTOA), an Australian-based group of operators, and alleged that Howell encouraged coordinated harassment against Adventure Kokoda, including incitement directed at guides and porters.
He further claimed there is evidence that Howell and others attempted to pressure PNG authorities by spreading harmful narratives to the media and undermining Adventure Kokoda’s operations and licensing.
Lynn also confirmed that similar cybercrime complaints have been filed against Ms. Tuakara, a former casual employee, and PNG blogger Ms. Rachel Wanpis. He alleged both collaborated with Howell to publish what he described as a biased and factually incorrect account of events following the termination of Ms. Tuakara’s casual employment after the seven-month closure of the Kokoda Trail in September 2024.
“These posts were intended to maliciously discredit and tarnish the reputation of Adventure Kokoda and myself,” Lynn said.
He said he has always regarded his personal integrity as his most important asset, noting that his work has been recognized by both the PNG and Australian governments. Lynn has received the Officer of Logohu award and a King’s Medal for services to PNG–Australia relations and Kokoda Trail development and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2018.
“I commend the RPNGC Cybercrime Division for taking action to protect reputations from malicious social media attacks,” Lynn said.
The matter is now before authorities, while Ms. Tuakara’s employment dispute remains with the PNG Labour Department.