Politicians pass buck on ferry

Tonga's royal commission into the sinking of the ferry Princess Ashika in August has raised new questions about the responsibility of Cabinet ministers, following the release of emails sent by the Prime Minister, Feleti Sevele.

The Prime Minister yesterday testified for the second consecutive day at the inquiry into the tragedy, which cost at least 74 lives, Radio New Zealand International reported.

Dr Sevele said he did not finalise the decision on the purchase of the unseaworthy ferry in Fiji for $F600,000 ($442,500) but left it up to Finance Minister Afu'alo Matoto, who headed a procurement committee.

But Mr Matoto last week placed the blame at the feet of the then Transport Minister, Paul Karalus, who resigned after the ship's captain made accusations that the Government played a role in insisting the vessel sail before it was suitably prepared.

Tonga's Cabinet approved the ship's purchase in April 2008, subject to a report on its seaworthiness.

But no report was produced, and in an email in May, Dr Sevele asked his Transport Minister about the seaworthiness certification.

Dr Sevele refused to answer questions concerning his feelings about the sinking in relation to media comments he made immediately after the tragedy.

The Prime Minister was at the Pacific Islands Forum in Cairns, Australia, when news arrived that the ferry had sunk.

He told reporters at the time that there "might have been" previous trouble with the Princess Ashika, but it had been operating in Fiji for 30 years and was tested for seaworthiness and insurance purposes before it was bought by Tonga.

"We were assured that all had been done ... We were assured that it was all seaworthy and it was tested and passed the test," he said at the time.

New Zealander John Jonesse, who was chief executive of the ferry company, the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia, has been arrested on charges of forgery and knowingly using forged documents in the purchase of the ship.

The royal commission previously heard evidence the Princess Ashika was badly maintained and unseaworthy before it was purchased, with warnings about its condition to Tongan officials ignored.

- NZPA