pn947. Fiji: a Small Ray of Hope with the appointment of Graeme Leung as Attorney-General

 

With the appointment of former Fiji Law Society President Graeme Leung as Attorney-General an important detail has changed in the Fiji political scene, one that could see a reversal — or at least a review— of some very questionable legal decisions by the outgoing Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga, and a clean, fresh start for Fiji.  

Siromi Turaga is the highly biased, politically-motivated AG  in cahouts with Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo who made two illegal appointments: Alipate Qataki as a judge and John Rabuka as acting Director of Public Proscecutions. Both appointments were in breach of Fiji's Constitution. 

Further, Temo's overruling of Magistrate Seini Puamua who had virtually acquitted former PM and FijiFirst leader Voqere Bainimarama of charges against him was also questionable.  Temo's over-ruling resulted in Bainimarama (and former police chief Sitiveni Qihilo) being jailed which stripped Bainimarama of the FijiFirst leadership and denied him a place in parliament.  Thus, Temo effectively beheaded the largest party in parliament, FijiFirst party, and removed almost all parliamentary opposition to government. With only a two seat majority the government coalition of People's Alliance, National Federatlon Party and SODELPA, PM Sitiveni Rabuka must be very pleased indeed.

Which makes one ask why Graeme Leung's appointment?

It certainly adds much needed credibility and respectability to government which has been plagued with by a number of "salacious" scandals and internal divisions.

Leung's chief duty as AG  is to advise the PM on all legal matters.  Whether or not the PM heeds his advice is another thing.

Leung could (and I believe should) call for:

■ the appointment of a Chief Justice and the dismissal of Acting CJ Temo. (Temo's appointment was criticized by the Fiji Law Society) 

■ the cancellation of  the Alipate Qataki and John Rabuka appointments; 

■ the reinstatement of Director of  Public Prosecutions Chris Pryde who has been waiting for his appeal to be heard of over 14 months; 

■ an earlier hearing of the appeal of Elizabeth Rice, wrongfully stood down as Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions because she is "white";

■  the decision to deregister the Fiji First Party to be put on hold. It could be derigistered unless it changes its constitution by 28th April. The party needs time to recover from its current disarray following 17 of its 26 MPs voting with Government on the pay increase bill contrary to party instructions.

■ an early appeal hearing for Bainimarama (and former police chief Sitiveni Qihilo) against Tempo's ruling;

■ and perhaps a review of the USP case that was used to remove Bainimarama in the first place (see pn936).

-- ACW