Wale says awarding of CSI medal to Matthews is a mockery
THE awarding of Cross of SI Medal to Tim Matthews, a Bribane Queen’s Counsel (QC) who lives and practises in Queensland, Australia has come under scrutiny from the Office of the Opposition Leader.
Matthew Wale, MP, in a statement yesterday said the Medal and Awards Committee has made a ‘mockery’ of the country’s medals and awards by awarding the medal to Mr Matthews.
He said Matthews QC has never served on the Judiciary of SI and has never worked in any government departments or served any community in the country.
“Tim Matthews QC flies in and out of SI to represent his clients for which he receives hefty fees.
“It has surfaced in a High Court litigation file that Tim Matthews has refused to accept deduction of non-resident withholding tax from his invoice.
“This speaks volume of the character of the man whom the Medal and Awards Committee has awarded the medal,” the Opposition Leader said in the statement.
Its understood in 2019 Tim Matthews represented Prime Minister Sogavare and Our Party when the Leader of Opposition challenged the election of the Prime Minister.
“That is a service which Tim Matthews rendered to the Prime Minister personally and Our Party,” Mr Wale said.
He added there are many local and overseas Magistrates and Judges who have served and been serving in our Courts who have not been recognised in terms of Medal and Awards.
“There are also many local lawyers who have been serving in Government legal departments (like the Attorney General’s Chambers, Office of DPP and Office of Public Solicitor) and statutory bodies who have not been awarded any medal,” he said.
It is understood that the Medal and Awards Committee makes decision on recommendations made to it by nominators, but the final decision rests with the Committee. The Committee has all the discretion to decline any recommendation which lacks merit.
In the case of Tim Matthews, the Committee should have consulted the National Judiciary and the SI Bar Association, Mr Wale said.
“By awarding medals to a person who does not deserve the medal makes a mockery of the awards and diminishes the value and significance of the medals,” the Opposition Leader concluded.
Last week this paper reported that Mr. Matthews’ award is “for services to the National Judiciary in the Solomon Islands”, according to the citation against his name.
His Award has raised questions about his eligibility to be awarded a Queen’s medal, with critics noting that the Australian lawyer “is not even a judge in Solomon Islands.”
QC Matthews was hired from Brisbane where he is based to represent the Prime Minister and OUR Party in civil case No.238 of 2019.
He successfully argued for the strike out of the judicial review, pursuant to rule 9:75 of the Solomon Islands’ Courts (Civil Procedure) rules 2007.
Published report said the cost of a Queen’s Counsel is between SBD17, 000 (about AUD3, 000) and SBD28, 450 (about AUD5, 000) an hour.
It is understood the cost of hiring Mr. Matthews QC was paid for by taxpayers.
