O’Neill: Moti case will be investigated

By ISAAC NICHOLAS
STATE authorities will conduct investigations into the findings of the board of inquiry report on Julian Moti, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said.
He tabled in parliament this week the Defence Force board of inquiry report on the Moti scandal.
And he accused his successor Sir Michael Somare of breaching the Constitution when he gave directions for Moti to be evacuated from PNG to Solomon Islands in a Defence Force aircraft.
O’Neill said the report was presented to Sir Michael as prime minister and minister for defence on March 14, 2007, but no action had been taken on it.
He said he was tabling the report because it was a matter of public importance. In addition, substantial taxpayers’ money, time, personnel and public resources were committed and utilised for the inquiry to produce the report.
“My government is committed to good governance and transparency. We are demonstrating that now in tabling the Moti Report.”
He said the Moti saga became an international and national scandal because Sir Michael gave directions for Moti, an international fugitive wanted in Australia for child sex charges, to be evacuated to the Solomon Islands.
The inquiry, led by Justice Gibbs Salika, found that Sir Michael did indeed give directions for Moti to be moved to the Solomons.
He said the inquiry further found that the direction was given at a time when a National Court bench warrant was in effect for the arrest of Moti for failing to turn up in court.