AG Leung grateful to serve Fiji and will await SG’s brief on work program

Newly appointed Attorney General, Graham Leung says he is grateful to serve Fiji and will await the Solicitor General’s briefing on their work program.

Leung spoke to us at his office after his appointment earlier today.

Former Attorney General, Siromi Turaga remains the Minister for Justice.

Leung was sworn-in at State House by President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere however the media was not invited.

We have raised the question why the media was not invited to cover the ceremony.

Leung is a former president of the Fiji Law Society and former chairman of the Electoral Commission.

According to the Fijian Constitution, the Minister appointed as the Attorney General is the chief legal adviser to the Government.

A person is not qualified to be appointed as the Attorney General unless he or she is admitted as a legal practitioner in Fiji and has had not less than 15 years post-admission practice as a legal practitioner whether in Fiji or abroad; and has not been found guilty of any disciplinary proceeding involving legal practitioners whether in Fiji or abroad, including any proceeding by the Independent Legal Services Commission or any proceeding under the law governing legal practitioners, barristers and solicitors prior to the establishment of the Independent Legal Services Commission.

The constitution states that if the Prime Minister considers that there are no members of Parliament who are qualified, suitable or available to be appointed as the Attorney General, then the Prime Minister may appoint a person who is not a member of Parliament if that person is a legal practitioner who is qualified to be appointed as the Attorney General.

The person appointed as the Attorney General under this subsection shall be entitled to take part in Cabinet as a Minister, and to sit in Parliament, provided however that he or she shall not be eligible to vote in Parliament.

With the change, it also means that the ministerial salaries budget will also need to increase with the addition of another minister in cabinet.

We have sent questions to Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka on the reason for the change and the additional budget needed.

Turaga did not make any comments when we approached him earlier today.

Stay with us for developments.