Criminal investigators on Monday arrested and charged an Australian national in Port Moresby for double-dipping.

In a media statement, members of the Special Police Forensic Criminal Investigation Team (SPFCIT) slapped five charges against 48-year-old Carolyne Blacklock.

She was the former Acting Managing Director of PNG Power Limited.

Police alleged Blacklock conspired with one other person to forge a purported employment contract and defrauded the State over K1.7 million.

They committed the double-dipping crime between period August 2018 and August 2019, police say.

The charges include Conspiracy, Forgery, False Pretense, Misappropriation, under Sections 515, 462(1), 404(1)(a), 383A(1)(a) of the Criminal Code, Chapter 262.

Police learnt that in August 2017 Cardno PNG employed Blacklock from Mareeba, Queensland as a specialist advisor. She used to advise the PNG Department of the Prime Minister and National Executive Council on infrastructure and major initiatives.

On 22 December 2017, the National Executive Council (NEC) appointed Blacklock as Acting Managing Director for PNG Power Limited. Her appointment was to perform the duties of the Acting Managing Director of the power authority.

She was on secondment from the Department of the Prime Minister and National Executive Council.

Police also alleged that Blacklock while on secondment as an advisor, maintained her employment by Cardno PNG.

The investigators alleged that in August 2018, Blacklock and former PPL chairman Peter Nupiri, conspired to fabricate a contract of employment. That was for her for the position of Acting Managing Director.

They added Nupiri and Blacklock conspired without approval from the PNG Power and Kumul Consolidated Holdings boards and the NEC.