Judge told of Aussie lawyer’s deportation

JUSTICE David Cannings was yesterday advised in court by a State lawyer that Australian barrister Jay Williams had been sent back home.
Cannings had allowed Williams to speak to the 75 detainees on Manus he was representing. 
State lawyer Emma Wurr from the Public Solicitor’s office told the court that she had been informed by the Immigration Department that Williams had returned to  Australia.
Cannings on March 21 initiated fresh proceedings for the 75 asylum seekers after the State had sought a stay order in Port Moresby on the inquiry he had initiated on the asylum seekers.
Cannings yesterday adjourned the matter to April 15.
He said there were no applications in court in a proper form.
Lawyer Peter Kuman and Ian Molloy representing the State and Chief Migration Officer and Public Solicitor Fraizer Pitpit appeared in court as directed by Cannings last week.
Cannings told the parties that no respondents were named as yet in the matter relating to the 75 asylum seekers. 
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will today hear the leave application by the State to appeal the decision by Cannings not to disqualify himself from the inquiry involving asylum seekers.
Cannings said he would give directions on the inquiry after the court was informed about the status of the Supreme Court proceeding.