Esa’ala member of Parliament Jimmy Maladina has appeared for his first mention at the Waverley Court in Sydney, Australia over allegations of Domestic assault.
The Domestic assault charge was mentioned and the matter will return to court on July 17.
Mr Maladina left the court house after several minutes with his lawyer and local Australian media chasing after the pair.
Mr Maladina was the Minister for Petroleum before police appeared at a home in Bondi over the weekend following calls of a alleged domestic assault.
Prime Minister James Marape urged the public to refrain from spreading speculations as this matter is now before a competent prosecutorial process.
“The Police and Courts in Australia will do their job so we await and see the outcome.
“I will appoint an acting Minister to carry on the good work Minister Maladina has been doing,” PM Marape said.