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David Lambourne (born 20 March 1967 in Launceston, Tasmania) is an Australian judge on the courts of Kiribati since 1995, first as Kiribati People's lawyer (1995–1999),[1] solicitor general, then, since July 2018, as puisne judge Justice in the High Court of Kiribati. He is the husband of Tessie Eria Lambourne, leader of the opposition since 2020.
In February 2020, David Lambourne left Kiribati to attend a conference in Australia; however, he was stranded due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kiribati government then attempted to prevent him from assuming his position in Tarawa by ceasing his wages, refusing to issue an ongoing work permit, and preventing him from boarding a repatriation flight. In November 2021, a court ruling by Chief Justice Bill Hastings overturned the government's actions, declaring them unconstitutional. In response, Attorney General Tetiro Semilota reiterated her government's decision to remove Lambourne from his post and suspended him in May 2022. On 1 August 2022, Lambourne returned on a travel visa to visit his Kiribati family.[2]
- ^ Kiribati Foreign Policy and Government Guide. Int'l Business Publications. 8 June 2015. ISBN 9781433027680.
- ^ "Kiribati's attempts to keep stranded Australian judge out of the country ruled unconstitutional". the Guardian. 19 November 2022. Archived from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.