Results for politics

Tensions rose in the House this week as members of parliament, expressed their frustrations with the politics of the Prime Minister over his disaccord with the King and other issues, including his handling of the Lulutai Airlines. Their questions boiled over into screaming matches, which ended with two members – one from the Nobles’ table and one from the People’s table, being thrown out of the House and suspended for one and two days.

Ko e kole atu ki he Pule’anga lolotongaa ke fakafoki e vahevahe ‘o Ha‘apai ki he fili Falealea ka hokoo ki he vahenga motu’aa pea kapau ko e ‘uhinga e ‘ave a Nomuka ki Foa mo Kauvai ko e tokolahii ko e taha ia e ‘uhinga ma‘ulalo. Ko e taha e fatongia e kau fakafofonga he Falee ko ‘enau fakafofonga’I e ngaahi fiema’u ‘a e ngaahi vahee mo e feinga ki he tokoni mai ‘a e Pule’angaa. Ka ‘oku totonu ke ‘oua e ngata pee ai, ka kuo pau ke ngaue fakataha 'a e kau fakafofongaa mo e kovana, kau pule fakavahe, kau ‘ofisa kolo mo e kakai ‘o e vahenga filii ‘i hono fakakaukau’i e langa faka’ekonomika ‘o e ngaahi vahenga filii. - Senituli Penitani.

The Prime Minister Hon. Hu'akavameiliku returned to the Tonga Legislative Assembly this morning after taking leave from the House for over three months, but made no mention of his Cabinet's rift with King Tupou VI. In a short opening speech the PM thanked the House for the long time he had been away. He did not have anything to say about the King's withdrawal of his confidence and consent to the appointment of two Cabinet Ministers.

In a very short “soft closing” of the 2022 session of Tonga’s Legislative Assembly, King Tupou VI extended his hope that work would continue to assist the economic development of the country, while acknowledging the assistance of foreign partners.

A program to encourage women's leadership, saw young women take seats in Tonga's Legislative Assembly to experience the decision-making process for themselves, coinciding with the International Day of the Girl Child in Nuku’alofa on 11 October. About 30 girls are participating in the event which concludes on 14 October.

The Tonga Government will respect the decisions of the courts on electoral petitions, the Prime Minister, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, stated today after the Supreme Court voided the election of his Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Poasi Tei this morning. The PM made his statement after the May 16 date set by the Speaker for unseating members, in line with the court decisions, was deferred today “until further notice”.

New York Times reporting: New Caledonia will not mark the new year by becoming the world’s newest country. In a referendum held Sunday, voters rejected independence overwhelmingly, with 96% electing to stay part of France, according to provisional results released Sunday by the French High Commission in New Caledonia. The vote on the Pacific island territory comes as France’s president has prioritized shoring up the country’s international profile, seeing its military as a bulwark against China. A large portion of the Kanak pro-independence bloc boycotted Sunday’s vote.

A close relationship between the Communist Party of China and the Tonga People’s Party, led by Prime Minister Hon. Rev Dr Pohiva Tu‘i‘onetoa, was revealed at a reception to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Communist Party of China, at the Chinese Embassy last night, 8 July. By Pesi Fonua

Tonga's parliament suppressed live broadcasting of its debate this morning, in their first sitting since King Tupou VI questioned the honesty, integrity and abilities of the members at the opening of Parliament on 6 May. A total of 18 MPs agreed their draft letter of response to the king and debate on it should be not broadcasted live. From the House by Pesi Fonua