House rejects move to turn PM’s assistant into civil service position [1]
Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - 11:25. Updated on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - 11:30.
From the House by Pesi Fonua
A motion/resolution by Lord Tu‘ilakepa to try to put the Prime Minister's Personal Assistant under the civil service, was rejected by the Tongan Parliament yesterday, 8 September. The concern was that the civil service has a recruitment procedure whereas the PM's son was appointed privately to the position.
Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva's personal assistant is his son, Po'oi Pohiva, a privately-paid appointment.
Lord Tu’ilakepa summarised the objective of his motion/resolution was to enable the Prime Minister’s PA to be treated like other PAs, because currently he is working like a volunteer to his father, who pays him privately.
The motion/resolution raised a number of issues.
Lord Nuku questioned if such a working arrangement was constitutional, and why the position was not advertised as required by the Public Service Commission? He also questioned that if the PM's PA is not paid like other PAs, why is it when he travels with the PM overseas his air tickets and travelling expenses are paid for by government?
Lord Tu‘iha‘ateiho suggested that the PM paying his son from his own salary was like bribing.
Lord Tu‘i‘afitu pointed out that Tonga has introduced a more democratic system of government and to bring personal affairs into the public arena is nepotism, which clashes with democractic ideology.
Another issue that was raised was that the PM’s PA has access to government's top secret information, but he is not a civil servant.
The debate in the House developed into a screaming match between Hon. ‘Etuate Lavulavu and Lord Tu‘ilakepa. ‘Etuate insisted that the PM’s PA working conditions were the same as that of a volunteer worker – Peace Corps, and it is not unconstitutional. The screaming became too loud and the Chairman of the Whole House Committee, Hon. Semisi Sika, switched their microphone off and banned them from speaking in committee.
A certain degree of order in the debate in committee was restored, and the Chairman suggested for the debate on the motion/resolution to be deferred until the PM to returned to the House.
The speaking ban was ignored by the two members, and they kept making comments.
However, Lord Nuku insisted for the Minister of Finance to explain how the taxpayers money is spend to pay the PM’s PA.
Recruitment procredure
The Minister of Finance, Hon. ‘Aisake Eke said that all Cabinet Ministers have the privilege to have a Personal Assistant but for their recruitment they have to follow the Public Service Commission’s procedure. The PM’s PA, however, comes under a special recruitment process that has been approved by the Crown Law. He said that the PM’s PA is not a Civil Servant and he has a special working contract, and his salary is paid by the Prime Minister. Hon. ‘Aisake Eke stressed that the PM’s PA access to government’s secret information is covered under a working contract that has been approved by Crown Law.
Lord Nuku thanked the Minister of Finance for the clarification and stressed his belief that the motion/resolution would protect the Prime Minister because the current situation is nepotism. He also stressed that when the PM’s PA travels overseas government should not pay for his air fares and travel allowances.
The Chairman of the Whole House Committee called for votes and the Motion/Resolution to put the PA on the civil service payroll was rejected 7-9. Voters for the Motion/Resolution were Samiu Vaipulu, Lord Tu’ilakepa, Lord Nuku, Lord Tu’i’afitu, Lord Tu’iha’angana, Lord Tu’iha’ateiho and Lord Vaea. Voters against the Motion/Resolution were Mateni Tapueluelu, Penisimani Fifita, Veivosa Taka, Hon. Tevita Lavemaau, Hon. Fe’ao Vakata, Deputy PM Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, Hon. ‘Aisake Eke, Hon. ‘Etuate Lavulavu and Hon. Poasi Tei.