The Tongan government’s lawyer Dr Rodney Harrison is currently working on a defence against the court case with the Pacific Games Council, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson has said.
Lōpeti Senituli did not give further details about the claim by the Council yesterday that the government did not file its defence in time.
Acting Attorney General ‘Aminiasi Kefu said his “Office is not handling this matter for Government.”
“The Prime Minister’s Office has engaged outside counsel,” he said.
Pacific Games Council’s Chief Executive, Andrew Minogue reportedly said the council would call for a legal judgement to be made in their favour.
The Acting Attorney General said in May the Council and Tonga’s own Olympic body, TASANOC, have sought damages of at least TP$8 over what they say is a “legally binding” contract to host the Games in 2019.
The legal claim against the Tongan Government was made in the Supreme Court on May 15.
The government had 28 days to respond to the writ.
Tonga’s Acting Attorney General Aminiasi Kefu told Kaniva News he received the writ from the Prime Minister’s office on May 22.
Tonga was supposed to host the Games next year, but in a sudden move, Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva announced the kingdom would not host the region’s main sporting competition.
This was despite previous predictions that Tonga could expect to benefit financially from the Games and the government’s introduction of special faxes to raise funds for the event.....
Photo file. Caption: Pacific Games Council