Page 8 - IBs November 2022

Whispers Whispers

Welcome – to whose country? Malielegaoi is reluctant to relinquish a case which has drawn international
At a welcome for Australia’s new that position, despite being suspended scrutiny and the criticism of a number
consul-general in Noumea, the from parliament after being convicted of international law bodies. Naidu is
ceremony was opened by customary of contempt of parliament and an avid runner and members of Fiji’s
chiefs from the Drubea-Kapume region contempt of court. For his part, he has running community turned out to sweat
of New Caledonia - a welcome to criticised the Speaker, who will rule on in support late November. Naidu will be
country from indigenous landowners the status of departing members, saying sentenced on January 5th.
that is common across Australia today. “he has no business meddling with
But it seems one anti-independence affairs of this party.” Kiribati questioned
politician was miffed the welcome In Kiribati, the appointment of
came from the Kanak people rather Vanuatu held to ransom Attorney General Tetiro Semilota as
than the French High Commissioner. A month after it was first detected, acting Chief Justice has raised the
The same politician also grumped that Vanuatu is still struggling with the concern of Commonwealth lawyers.
President Louis Mapou was welcomed impact of a cyberattack which has The state of Kiribati’s judiciary has
to the White House, without an hampered the work of the civil service. been under intense scrutiny all year,
adequate chaperone from the French Procurement and overtime payments with the sacking of a number of
government! at Port Vila Central hospital have also judges and attempts to deport high
been affected. Vanuatu’s government court judge David Lambourne. Now a
COP that has refused to pay the attackers joint statement from Commonwealth
Despite the Australian government’s for access to emails and internal Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association
increased targets to reduce emissions, systems. It’s unknown how much (CMJA), Commonwealth Legal Education
some countries at COP27 in Egypt were they are demanding. The Australian Association (CLEA) and Commonwealth
concerned about Australian proposals Cybersecurity Centre in the Australian Lawyers Association says Semilota’s
for increased fossil fuel exploration. Signals Directorate is helping Vanuatu’s appointment contravenes the basic
Last August, Australia’s Federal government to rebuild the system. principles of the independence of the
Resources Minister announced that oil In the meantime, workers are using judiciary, asserting: “The effect of this
and gas exploration will be allowed personal email addresses, hotspots, and would be that the people of Kiribati
at ten new ocean sites – comprising pen and paper. would not enjoy the right to a fair trial
almost 47,000 square kilometres. Even heard by an impartial and independent
as COP27 created loopholes for “lower PNG bills tribunal, an inalienable right under the
emissions” fuels like gas, Australia’s bid More reports of unpaid government Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
to host COP31 in 2026 may run afoul of bills in Papua New Guinea, where
developing country calls for a ban on medicine has reportedly been sitting in Maserati mess continues
all fossil fuels. 23 containers in Lae for eight months, The comedy of errors over PNG’s
allegedly because the logistics company APEC Maseratis continues. Only 16 of
Exiting the stage charged with moving them has an the 40 luxury cars bought for the 2018
The exodus continues from Samoa’s outstanding K2 million (US$568,000) APEC Summit in Papua New Guinea
opposition Human Rights Protection bill to be paid by government. It comes have been sold, and those at discounted
Party, with a third member departing. on the heels of landlords locking out prices. The remaining 24 are stored at
Mau’u Siaosi Pu’epu’emai has resigned government tenants over unpaid bills. a warehouse in the capital, where they
from the HRPP, but will remain are depreciating. National Procurement
an independent MP. He says he’s Running with Richard Commission chief executive officer
leaving because there has been no In a novel show of support for Simon Bole, told the Post Courier
development work in his constituency embattled Fiji lawyer, Richard Naidu, that 16 bidders were unable to pay
of Va’a-o-Fonoti. Earlier, HRPP his friends and admirers braved the for the vehicles a year ago, due to
members Tuuu Anasii Leota and Ale Suva heat to ‘Run with Richard’ in late ‘bank discrepancies’. It’s unclear how
Vena Ale resigned after calling for a November. Naidu faces jail time or a many of those original bidders are still
leadership change. But HRPP Leader hefty fine for pointing out a spelling interested.
and ex-Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele mistake in a high court judgement in

8 Islands Business, November 2022