Objection to society’s application

SOLICITOR-General Tauvasa Tanuvasa has objected to an application by a Catholic group of professionals to join a case questioning the validity of the National Pandemic Act.
He told Justice Derek Hartshon in the Supreme Court that the group’s intervention was unnecessary because it would repeat submission by essential parties.
He suggested that the group could just assist Belden Namah’s lawyers who had filed the case challenging the legality of the Act.
“In considering a leave application, substantial interest, real interest should be recognised,” Tanuvasa said.
“The grounds set down by the society just points to interest. They did not say they have direct interest or substantial interest.”
Justice Hartshorn was informed by the group’s lawyer Alois Jerewai that they wanted to join the case as interveners.
The National Pandemic Act was passed in Parliament in March.
The society is an association of professionals who are Catholics.
Jerewai said they were also concerned about matters of law, good governance and compliance with the Constitution. He relied on an affidavit filed by association’s president Paul Harricknen which contained issues raised in a meeting with Controller David Manning and the Health Minister.