I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Belinda Hughes during her time as Executive Director Legal at the ICAC in Papua New Guinea, and I can honestly say she is one of the most capable and principled legal professionals I’ve worked with. Belinda joined ICAC during a particularly intense and complex period—helping to stand up a brand-new anti-corruption agency in a politically charged environment. From day one, she brought clarity, structure, and a deep commitment to integrity. Her ability to cut through complexity, provide sound legal advice, and navigate the tricky intersection of law, politics, and public interest has been absolutely critical to our success. What sets Belinda apart isn’t just her technical legal expertise (which is exceptional), but her leadership and calm under pressure. She leads with quiet confidence, is incredibly thoughtful in her approach, and never loses sight of what’s right—even when the stakes are high. Belinda has played a pivotal role in shaping the legal framework of the ICAC, advising on major investigations, high-stakes litigation, and the development of new legislation. She’s also been a steady voice of reason and ethics in some very difficult moments. Anyone lucky enough to work with Belinda will find someone who is deeply intelligent, highly ethical, and completely committed to the public good. She has my full support and recommendation—wherever she goes next, she’ll add incredible value.
