Natalia Latu joins emerging leaders program [1]
Thursday, June 12, 2014 - 14:39. Updated on Thursday, June 12, 2014 - 17:15.
Natalia Palu Latu (30) the Deputy Secretary for Policy and Reform at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning completed the Australian Special Visits Program (SVP) from April 26 to May 2.
She was nominated by the Australian High Commission in Nuku’alofa for the high level program that invited emerging leaders in this field to Australia to increase their understanding of shared foreign and trade policy interests.
During her visit to Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra she met government representatives, departments, business groups and policy think tanks, including the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Australian Reserve Bank, Pacific Trade and Invest, Westpac and ANZ
Natalia said she was grateful to have met such a diverse group of people and organizations giving her a renewed perspective on reform, and how the Ministry of Finance as a central agency can play a better role in terms of whole of government reform.
“I now have a better understanding and appreciation of government systems and how a much smaller administration like Tonga can learn from the experiences of a neighbouring country such as Australia.”
The Australian High Commissioner to Tonga HE Brett Aldam said Natalia’s nomination reflected her significant contribution to donor coordination and the development of economic policy in Tonga as part of the Finance Ministry team.
Natalia who was the Principal Economist in the Project and Aid Management Division since June 2008 was recently promoted to Deputy Secretary for the newly established Policy and Reform Division in recognition of her contribution to managing the overseas development aid program.
The first two recipients were Mishka Tu’ifua the Chair of the Public Service Commission and the late Lord Tu’a Taumoepeau-Tupou, a former Cabinet Minister.