Political reform process awaits nominations of commissioners [1]
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - 17:47. Updated on Thursday, September 11, 2014 - 15:51.
Tonga's political reform process is currently in a limbo until commissioners are appointed and parliament has agreed on a few issues, the Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele confirmed while answering questions at a Press Conference in Nuku'alofa on Thursday, September 11.
The joint Press Conference with the New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga, Christine Bogle and a representative of the Australia government was to outline highlights of a two day Donor High Level Consultation between the governments of Tonga, New Zealand and Australia on the development co-operation programs with Tonga. The Asian Development Bank was also represented at the meeting as an observer.
Dr Feleti Sevele praised the Australian and the New Zealand governments for their financial assistance to Tonga.
New Zealand bilateral assistance to Tonga has increased from NZ$4.6 million in 2004-05 to NZ$13.3 million in 2008-09. The Australian bilateral assistance to Tonga has also increased from AUD$9.6 to AUD$13.2 million over the same period.
Constitutional commissioners
The press conference was an opportunity to ask the Prime Minister about the commission, which has been entrusted with the task of producing the blue print of a new system of Government for Tonga before 2010.
Two months after the Tongan parliament passed the Constitutional and Electoral Commission Act on July 22, and King George Tupou V gave it his consent soon after, the Prime Minister said that the slow process of setting up the commission was because they were being very careful in their selection process, to ensure that they would select the right person. The Commission has been hailed as a major step forward in Tonga's efforts to have a new system of government in place by 2010.
The five-members commission are to be recommended, two by the Judicial Services Commission, one by the Cabinet who shall be the Chairman, one by the Nobles' Representatives and one by the People's Representatives.
There is no deadline for the nomination of Commission members, and the Prime Minister gave the impression that it was most important to select the right people for the Commission.
But by September 17 only the Judicial Services Commission has nominated their two candidates.