Results for 2019 Pacific Games

Can the Tonga government hold the money collected from its Pacific Games foreign exchange levy and use it for other purposes? It's a question that many people are continuing to ask, following the government's withdrawal from its agreement to host the 2019 Pacific Games, while the games levy continues to be imposed on foreign exchange transactions

The Tonga Parliament repealed the Pacific Games Organizing Act 2013 and then passed Tonga’s biggest national budget for 2017-208 after mid-night last night 29 June.From the House by Pesi Fonua.

Regretfully, I must intrude into your day, and reluctantly make a further comment on the sad saga that is the 2019 Pacific Games (PG2019).

During an uproar in Tonga's Parliament yesterday morning, June 19, a noble's representative told the Prime Minister that he "should get his act together". The Speaker, Lord Tu'ivakano had to raise his voice to get the Prime Minister to sit down and calm down. From the House, by Pesi Fonua.

Tonga's parliament has adjourned for two days, until Thursday, 15 June to give the Prime Minister, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva time to respond to a "Motion for an Order for Parliament to tell the Tongan Government to Host the 2019 Pacific Games."

“We have the money let's get on with the games!” Lord Feleti Sevele told Tongan media on Friday, 19 May. He is challenging "what was the basis of government's withdrawal to host the games", when government had not yet prepared a budget for the games?

Tonga’s Cabinet has ordered the cancellation of Tonga’s hosting of the 2019 Pacific Games today as the contract was between government and the Pacific Games Council. They stated that the reason for cancelling the hosting of the Games in Tonga is based on an old IMF Report in 2013 where it is reported that Tonga’s deficit will widen considerably.

The Pacific Games Council CEO Laurent Cassier, told Matangi Tonga this evening that “as far as we are concerned the projects are still ongoing”. The Pacific Games Council has not received any confirmation from the Tongan Government regarding the cancellation of their hosting of the 2019 Pacific Games as stated by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva during a radio interview in New Zealand two days ago.

Two key challenges that the Tongan government faces now are to manage carefully its wages bill and also its financing of the 2019 South Pacific Games related constructions. The World Bank also believes that Tonga should undergo an economic reform to shore up its revenue, “contain unproductive spending while boosting critical expenditures on health and education, and build up buffers against shocks.”