Society bids to join proceeding

THE Catholic Professionals Society (CPS) has filed an application seeking to join as a party in a court case questioning the constitutionality of the National Pandemic Act.
President Paul Harricknen in a statement said the society opposed the National Pandemic Act 2020 prior to its enactment on June 12, 2020 and called for wider consultation on the bill.
Harricknen said its representatives also met with Health Minister Jelta Wong and National Pandemic Response Controller David Manning to express their concern about the law.
Opposition Leader Belden Namah filed an application challenging the unconstitutionality of the Act in the Supreme Court on Aug 5.
“We commend the opposition leader for seeking the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the law and its implications on the Constitution,” Harricknen said.
“The society filed its application on Aug 14 to intervene in the proceedings and to be heard along with Namah’s application.”
He said the society had engaged Alois Jerewai of Jerewai Lawyers to represent it in the proceedings.
Harricknen said the society appreciated government efforts to protect the country from the Covid-19 however, the Act in its current form raised serious questions about its constitutional validity.
Harricknen said they had written to Minister Wong on Aug 12 inviting the Government to consider repealing the law.
He said the letter was copied to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Attorney General Davis Steven and controller Manning.