Ian Molloy

Minister Pato and the Chief Migration Officer, Mataio Rabura, are also challenging an application filed by the transferees’ lawyer, Ben Lomai, seeking summary judgment.

The transferees are seeking summary judgment from the Supreme Court that also covers compensation their illegal detainment, following the five-man Supreme Court bench ruling on April 26.

The hearing of the two applications, filed by the State, is set for Oct 27 before a three-judge bench.

Ian Molloy, lawyer representing Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Rimbink Pato as well as the Chief Migration officer, Mataio Rabura, moved the application today asking the high court to halt the inquiry on grounds it was not proper.

Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia said the inquiry will proceed and told parties to provide details of an Australian Government representative who will later be asked to give a statement to the court. This is to show where the Australian Government is in terms of orders issued in April to shut down the asylum processing centre in Manus.