Tonga’s Judicial Appointments and Discipline Panel has denied claims by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva that it proposed appointing Kahungungu Afeaki as Tonga’s first Anti-Corruption Commissioner.
“The information you have received is incorrect,” the Panel’s Principal Clerk, Rosamund Bing, told Kaniva News.
“The panel did not propose to appoint Afeaki.”
She told Kaniva News the panel would not make any further comment.
“Matters of this type are entirely inappropriate to air publicly.
“Neither Lord Tupou or the Panel are in a position to provide any further information to you.”
The Prime Minister told Kaniva News last month his government had rejected a proposal by the Privy Council to make Afeaki commissioner.
Hon. Pohiva said he had received unofficial information that the Privy Council’s panel of judges had decided to appoint the New Zealand based barrister.
He said the search for the Anti-Corruption commissioner was now deadlocked.
The Prime Minister told Kaniva News the proposed salary for the Commissioner was too high and his government did not want to work with Afeaki.
The Anti-Corruption Act 2012 stipulates that the salary and appointment of the commissioner is dealt with by the Anti-Corruption Commission with the consent of Cabinet.
Tonga’s Anti-Corruption Commission was formed in 2008 after the Anti-Corruption Act was passed on 13 September 2007.
But plans for a commission to fight corruption stalled after a new office was opened in mid-2008.
Justice Minister Hon. Fa’otusia said the Australian Government gave TP$300,000 to help fund the Commissioner’s salary, but withdrew the money after initial attempts to set up the commission failed.
Hon. Fa’otusia said in 2008 a panel of judges from Australia recommended appointing the then Chief Justice Shuster for the post, but the two next two governments did not appoint him.
Last year he announced that a panel of judges had interviewed and recommended a suitable candidate to the post.
The Minister said former Chief Justice Ford had supported the idea a Tongan should be appointed to the post.
The main points
- Tonga’s Judicial Appointments and Discipline Panel has denied claims by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva that it proposed appointing Kahungungu Afeaki as Tonga’s first Anti-Corruption Commissioner.
- “The panel did not propose to appoint Afeaki,” the Panel’s Principal Clerk, Rosamund Bing, told Kaniva News.
- The Prime Minister told Kaniva News last month his government had rejected a proposal by the Privy Council to make Afeaki commissioner.
- Pohiva said he had received unofficial information that the Privy Council’s panel of judges had decided to appoint the New Zealand based barrister.
For more information
Cabinet opposes Privy Council’s candidate for Anti-Corruption Commission boss
