Trip of Solomons Acting Attorney General to meet Australian Justice Minister cancelled for the second time

The Solomon Islands Acting Attorney General, Mrs Nuatalia Tongarutu's scheduled trip to Australia had been cancelled without an official explanation.

A press statement from the Australian High Commission office in Honiara says prior to Mrs Tongarutu's departure on May 15th, they were informed on May 14th that the trip was cancelled.

The statement says Mrs Tongarutu could not board her flight to Australia on orders and directive from the Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare.

Mr Sogavare requested that the Acting Attorney General postponed her travel to Australia until he returns from Taiwan. Prime Minister, Sogavare is currently on a two week state visit to the Republic of China or Taiwan.

The Australian High Commission office says the postponement of the trip had meant the cancellation of arranged meeting with the Australian Minister for Justice and Customs Mr David Johnston scheduled for May 15th.

The High Commission office says an earlier arrangement for a meeting by Mrs Tongarutu and Mr Johnston, on May 7th was also cancelled when the Acting Attorney General postponed the trip giving logistical problem as reason for the cancellation.

Source: SIBC