Robert@PNG

The report that Michael Somare doesn’t want anyone to know about…

Today’s story in the Post Courier…

Moti report goes online

THE full text of the controversial Moti inquiry
report is on a leading Australian newspaper’s website.
One of the major headline items on the website, for The Australian newspaper,
was about the Moti inquiry report which is the subject of a pending National
Court proceeding in the Waigani courts.
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare questioned the Defence Force Inquiry report .
His lawyer has issued a statement this week warning the media about the
possibility of contempt of court proceedings if more reports were published on
the issue.
Mr Kerenge Kua of Posman Kua Aisi Lawyers said last night that the coverage by
The Australian was very unfortunate.
Mr Kua said: “My comment is that The Australian’s publication is most
unfortunate because there is a universally accepted rule of law in the common
law world of which Australia is one.”
He said as the matter was sub judice, The Australian, members of the public
including the media were not to comment on it.
Mr Kua said The Australian chose to run the report disregarding court
proceedings which underpinned the rule of law.
He questioned if Australia would accept if they were in Papua New Guinea’s
shoes, where a matter before the federal or state courts was made public.
Yesterday, a press statement from Mr Kua included the warning that if any
requests for early release of the Moti inquiry report were published again,
there could be legal action taken.
The Australian had earlier published excerpts allegedly from the inquiry report,
saying it had a leaked copy of the document.

To see a copy of the actual report as published by The Australian - click here!

The power of the internet!!