Australia

Tonga’s challenge is to respond to needs of ordinary citizens

A new donor-funded programme aims to develop the skills of parliamentarians in order to improve law-making processes in Tonga and to strengthen the ability of the government to build democracy.

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Tonga Government

Tongans deported from NZ after criminal record-wiping revealed

Three Tongans have been deported from New Zealand while another person left voluntarily as a result of their criminal records being wiped-off by Tonga Police. Australia has also cancelled the visas of three Tongans while a fourth visa is being considered for cancellation. Meanwhile, the Tonga Police are continuing to investigate a practice that the Police Commissioner said had damaged Tonga’s reputation because official documents with the police letterhead were sent telling a lie to gain access to another country.

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King Tupou VI receive New High Commissioner for Australia

The new Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, HE Mr Brett Aldam today presented his letter of credence to King Tupou VI at the Royal Palace.

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Brett Aldam

Australia

King Tupou VI

HE Mr Thomas Roth leaves Tonga

HE Mr Thomas Roth, Australia’s 14th High Commissioner to Tonga in a farewell reception at the Australian Residence, Mirrabooka on Friday 4 January 2013 welcomed colleagues, friends and acquaintance.

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Australia

High Commissioner

Australia assists Tonga Police with new uniforms

Visiting Tonga, Senator Louise Pratt of Western Australia, presented new uniforms to Tonga Police officers at the Police Headquarter in Longlongo today. This is part of a Tonga Police Development Program funded by a Tri-Partite Development Agreement between Tonga, Australia and New Zealand. Photos by Linny Folau.

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Australia reaffirms defence cooperation with Tonga

At the Australia-Tonga Defence Cooperation Talks 2012, held today in Nuku’alofa, Australia reaffirmed its continued assistance to the Tonga Defence Services through a number of projects, activities and exercises planned for the next 12 months.

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Australia

Tonga Defence Services

Tonga signs US$2.9m World Bank grant for projects to reduce cost of energy

The World Bank and the Government of Tonga today signed a US$2.9 million grant agreement to implement the Tonga Energy Road Map, which will improve the access, efficiency and cost of energy for Tonga’s 104,000 people. The Government of Australia, through the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility, is contributing US$2.5 million of the total grant, according to a press statement by the World Bank today.

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Women head Tonga's missions in Australia and Japan

Two women have become heads of Tonga’s overseas missions, with HRH Princess Latufuipeka appointed as Tonga’s new High Commissioner to Australia, while Tania Tupou becomes Tonga’s first Ambassador to Japan.

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Melbourne Tapa exhibition launch first official duty for new Tongan High Commissioner

The Melbourne Tapa exhibition will be launched by HRH Princess Latufuipeka Tuku’aho in Melbourne on Thursday 2 August in her first official duty as the High Commissioner of Tonga to Australia, at the start of a five-day Melbourne tour. Photos Loketi Niua Latu.

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Reaction to Chinese investment challenges Australia's open investment regime

Australia is the largest single ultimate destination for Chinese direct investment, and though Australia is a relatively small economy, it is likely to remain one of China’s largest foreign investment destinations for a while to come. At the same time, the scale and pace of growth in Chinese direct investment has led to populist reactions that have challenged the open investment regime in Australia and, in particular, raised policy questions about whether investments by state-owned enterprises (SOEs) need to be treated differently from private investment. By Peter Drysdale, Australia National University.

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