CRACKS are beginning to appear in the Government’s strategic engagements in Australia last week, with one senior Minister questioning the composition of the delegation, its approval and who is funding it.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel suggested in a telephone call with Solomon Star yesterday, the trip’s agenda “was never discussed at Cabinet level.”
“I have no clue whatsoever what the trip was all about, who is funding it and so on, because I was with the Prime Minister in Tonga for the Pacific Forum meeting.
“All I know is that the Deputy Prime Minister would prepare a report for Cabinet,” Minister Shanel told Solomon Star yesterday.
Asked about the Labour Mobility Scheme, Hon. Shanel said, “that’s a foreign affairs matter,” suggesting there was little or no coordination in preparation for the talks”.
The Government more than a week ago announced a “high-level Government delegation comprising Ministers and backbenchers will leave the country (last) weekend for various strategic engagements in Australia.
The 14-member delegation was led by Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Hon. Bradley Billy Smoky Rodo Tovosia.
In a statement issued yesterday to rebuff a statement issued by Opposition Leader Matthew Wale questioning the trip, the government has confirmed the trip to Brisbane was never sanctioned by Cabinet.
“While it is accurate that Cabinet did not formally sanction the trip, it is essential to note that the Acting Prime Minister, Hon Bradley Tovosia, granted permission for the travel. This decision was made in light of ongoing engagements directly related to important national issue regarding land on Guadalcanal, but more importantly, peace and security of our country.” The statement said.
“For example, Cabinet has already approved the sum of $140 m to settle the issue. Such significant transactions necessitate thorough due diligence and consideration, which aligns with the purpose of this trip.
“Additionally, the review paper on the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) program, currently before Cabinet, was deferred pending further information; therefore, this trip is also for MPs to discuss issues surrounding PALM as well.
“The ministers and MPs participating in the Brisbane delegation are doing so as part of their overseas engagements, which are fully funded by international organizations and development partners.
“It is disheartening to see Hon Wale deliberately misinforming the public about a valuable cost-saving initiative undertaken by the government.
“As such, portraying the trip as a misuse of taxpayer funds fails to recognize the strategic partnerships at play and its importance to nation building.
Meanwhile it would appear the advice tendered to the government by senior lawyer, Tim Klineberg (pictured) from the King and Wood Mallesons’ Sydney Office appeared to have been accepted by the GNUT government.
Mr. Klineberg is understood to have told the government it would cheaper to deal directly with the LSL/RIPEL Board. Rather than applying other resolutions.
The firm is multi-national and has “very experienced personnel in the field of liquidation, according to ICSI.
Mr. Klineberg leads the Restructuring and Insolvency team at King & Wood Mallesons. He has been involved in the most complex and difficult restructuring and insolvency assignments in Australia and is widely recognised as a leader of the Australian restructuring and insolvency market. He has experience advising secured and unsecured creditors.
Tim also has specialist cross-border restructuring expertise gained in the Asia-Pacific region and in the United Kingdom. He is regularly involved in situations involving thousands of jobs, debts in the billions, having worked on many of the major restructuring and insolvency situations over many years [and] is a trusted adviser to the major banks.
Solomon Star reached out to Patrick Wong Chairman of RIPEL for his comments, but he declined saying the parties agreed that the meeting would be confidential.
However, when pressed by Solomon Star, Mr. Wong confirmed that the meeting took place on Friday 6th September in Brisbane.
“The ball is now in SIG’s court, as SIG, via their lawyers undertook to write to us.” Mr. Wong added.
By Alfred Sasako
