AAP/ABC/SOURCES

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THREE MONTHS the O’Neill government has suspended chief justice Sir Salamo Injia pending an investigation into how he dealt with court funds.

"These allegations are very serious,” prime minister Peter O’Neill said. “The government has been troubled by them for some time. I've mulled over it for six months, and after wide consultation we have decided on this action."

Mr O'Neill said he expected a tribunal – comprising ex-judges Graham Ellis, Paul Akuram and Sir Kubulan Los - to complete an investigation within the next three months.