No candidate for Attorney-General post, PM confirms

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says he has not identified a suitable candidate for the position of Attorney-General (A-G).

“No, at the moment I don’t have anybody,” Mr Rabuka told this masthead yesterday.

The position has been filled in an acting capacity by Siromi Turaga since June. Mr Turaga was initially sworn in as Attorney-General and Minister for Justice on December 24, 2022, when the Coalition Government took office.

However, he was removed as A-G last June after he incorrectly advised the Prime Minister on the issue of Members of Parliament awarding themselves a pay rise.

Mr Turaga continued as Minister for Justice until Graham Leung was appointed A-G. Mr Leung was later dismissed from the position following controversy surrounding the Commission of Inquiry.

Mr Turaga was then appointed as acting Attorney-General in June and has held the position since.

In an earlier report, Mr Rabuka clarified there were no plans to appoint an A-G from outside Government. He also said Mr Turaga’s continuation in the role depended on how his occupation in the office affected ongoing matters.

Mr Rabuka also clarified the investigations he was referring to was the Commission of Inquiry, in which Mr Turaga was also mentioned.

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