Leung urges Government not to withdraw bills

Former Attorney-General and constitutional lawyer Graham Leung is urging Government not to withdraw the three transparency-related Bills he had introduced in Parliament last year.

Mr Leung’s comments come after a dramatic U-turn in Parliament on Friday, where Government had put forward a motion to withdraw the Bills.

The three Bills: the Code of Conduct Bill, the Access to Information Bill, and the Accountability and Transparency Commission Bill — were listed on Friday’s Order Paper to be withdrawn by Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga.

Mr Leung said he was disappointed when he learned the Bills were set to be pulled but welcomed Government’s last-minute reversal.

“I urge the Government to bring the Bills back to Parliament as soon as practicable,” Mr Leung said.

Hours later on Friday, Speaker of Parliament Filimone Jitoko announced in the House that the motion to withdraw had been pulled back.

The Bills, tabled in March last year, are designed to hold public officials accountable, give citizens the legal right to access government information, and establish an independent commission to investigate misconduct and corruption complaints.

Mr Leung said the timing made the Bills more important than ever.

“Recent allegations of nepotism and abuse of office by some public officials reinforce the importance of greater accountability and transparency in government,” he said.

Mr Turaga defended Government’s handling of the matter, saying the decision to consider withdrawal came down to a busy legislative schedule, and that the bills remain on the Government’s programme.

“It’s a work in progress,” he said.

“It’s not been finalised.”

He also pushed back on suggestions of bad faith, saying previous governments had similarly rearranged their legislative priorities.

The Opposition, ready to raise concerns, had the motion proceeded, welcomed the Government’s reversal but urged it to model the change it promised.

Mr Leung said the intention behind the Bills was always clear.

“The reforms would have required public servants and ministers to act in the public interest rather than for personal gain.”

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