Tongan Government denies judiciary interference

The Tongan Government has hit back at claims it is trying to control the judiciary, saying it is a matter to be decided only by Tongans.

Over the past few months Tongan Cabinet members have been accused of interfering in the court process, and as a result, the Kingdom's first independent Attorney-General, Mr John Cauchi SC, has quit.

“I can't manage that sort of duplicitous behaviour,”said Mr Cauchi, in reference to the Tongan Government.

Former-Attorney General Alisi Afeaki Taumoepeau was forced to resign last year. Now her colleague Cauchi is in much the same position.

“Either the Tongan government doesn't want to be advised or they are terribly, terribly ignorant, “said Mrs Taumoepeau. “(Cauchi) resigned because Tonga's leaders are handpicking its judges,” she said

However, the Tongan Government has moved quickly into damage control, claiming it is not trying to interfere with the judiciary, but strengthen it.

“There is definitely no statutory role for the Attorney-General or the Judicial Services Commission in the appointment of judges, there is none,” said Eseta Fusitu'a, Tonga's Minister of Information.

The Minister says the Privy Council has been given powers by the King and does not follow New Zealand or Australian systems.

“Our Government has been established by ourselves, not by a colonial power,”she said

Source: TVNZ