A-G Defends Ruling by Acting OPP Rabuku

Attorney-General Siromi Turaga has defended the decision taken by the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku to recruit qualified local lawyers.

"I saw no reason why we should employ these expatriate lawyers," he said.

The A-G was responding to ques­tions raised about the termination of contract for the former Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Elizabeth Rice, last Friday.

Mr Turaga said the Acting DPP had the constitutional right to de­termine the terms and conditions of those who work under him.

"People have made claims that they were terminated based on oth­er considerations," the A-G said.

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"That has to be validated. He has the constitutional right to deter­mine the terms and the conditions of those who work under him and of course in accordance with the processes followed by the civil ser­vice."

Mr Turaga said there were good reasons for the termination.

"If people have been found to have performed below what is expected of them, especially as lawyers, there will be consequences," the A-G said.

"They will be terminated or asked to resign because it is a high-profile office where a lot public expendi­ture is involved.

"Just because they are foreigners, I think it is a bit unfair to give them their publicity."

The A-G said there were a lot of people terminated during Chris­topher Pryde's time, but were not given any considerations.

A-G favours localisation of these posts.

"The Prime Minister have said it and we have said it and we will con­tinue that way. Where there is a gap, we can recruit them," he said.

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