Public Service Commission to decide suspension of Attorney General

The Judicial and Legal Service Commission has referred the appointment of Julian Moti as attorney general to the Public Service Commission for his immediate suspension.

Chairman of the Commission, Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer in a statement says in light of the recent information received of new charges preferred under Australian law against Mr Moti, his fitness to continue in the high office while the charges are outstanding is in doubt.

Sir Albert says the Commission met on tuesday and considered the arrest of Mr Moti in Port Moresby over the weekend.

He says after verifying the Australian judicial arrest warrant, alleging child sex offences against Mr Moti, it has referred his case to the proper constitutional body responsible for the discipline of the attorney general.

Sir Albert says the Commission's original appointment of Mr Moti as attorney general was according to the requirements of the constitution. He says to qualify for appointment, a person must first be entitled to practice law in the country.

Sir Albert says secondly the Prime Minister must advise the commission that he has selected that person for appointment and the question of what process was used in that selection is solely for the Prime Minister.

He says both of those conditions were met at the time of Mr Moti's appointment and the commission was obliged to act according to law.

Sir Albert says the community must continue to have confidence that the administration of justice is impartial and above reproach.

It is understood that the Public Service Commission had met yesterday afternoon to consider the matter referred to it.

Source: SIBC