The Commission of Inquiry into the legality of the appointment of Barbara Malimali as Commissioner of FICAC, says today’s FICAC statement appears to be an attempt by Malimali to quell commentary adverse to her, by various stakeholders, including the media, the implication being that such commentary will influence the Commissioner.
The Commission of Inquiry states the Commissioner, His Lordship Justice David Ashton-Lewis is a pre-eminent jurist having enjoyed an illustrious career in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.
They say he has been honoured by Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth the Second, and His Lordship is certainly not susceptible to the “external pressure” which the FICAC statement refers to.
The Commission statement says Justice Ashton Lewis, and Counsel Assisting, Senior Counsel from New Zealand, Janet Mason have been and continue to undertake their appointment with strict adherence to the tenets of natural justice.
The Commission says as in any modern constitutional democracy, the existence of a Commission of Inquiry should not be held as a buttress against media freedom.
The Commission of Inquiry was not consulted by FICAC prior to FICAC releasing its statement.
