17 Sep 2007

Australian Foreign Minister keen to read PNG report on Moti affair

11:02 am on 17 September 2007

Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says he is looking forward to finally seeing a Papua New Guinea Defence Force report into the Julian Moti affair.

Last week, PNG's National Court rejected applications by lawyers acting for the Prime Minister and other top officials to have the board of inquiry's report declared null and void.

The report recommends the Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, and other officials be charged for arranging a PNG military flight for Mr Moti to the Solomon Islands last October.

At the time there was an Australian extradition request for him to face child sex charges.

The AAP newsagency says Sir Michael has denied sanctioning the flight and was taking legal advice over the weekend.

Mr Downer said he was pleased to see one thing in PNG - the court system - actually worked.

Mr Downer said he looked forward to seeing the official report and not relying on leaked material.