6 Jun 2002

Fiji government files appeal against multi-party cabinet ruling

2:48 pm on 6 June 2002

State lawyers in Fiji have filed the Qarase government's appeal against a High Court ruling that the Labour Party is constitutionally entitled to be part of the cabinet.

Radio Fiji says the state lawyers are arguing that the constitution does not impose a duty on the prime minister to invite political parties to be part of his government.

Justice Anthony Gates had ruled after receiving advice from the Appeal Court that Labour should have been in cabinet because it was the only party other than the ruling SDL which had achieved the required 10-percent of seats in the Lower House.

But state lawyers say the relevant constitutional provisions create no entitlement for any party of the cabinet.