By Katalina Siasau
Seven allegations against the former Prime Minister, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku - including budget overspending, stalled projects, education issues and more – are cited in documents that formed part of a Motion for a Vote of No Confidence in the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister resigned moments before the Motion 4A/2024, “Fokotu'u ke Fakahoko Ha Paloti ke Fakamaloloo'i a' e Palemia”, was scheduled to be introduced to the house on 9 December.
Even though it has not been tabled into the House, the Speaker directed that both the Motion for the Vote of No Confidence and the Prime Minister’s response be made publicly available as official documents, even though the Motion had not been read in the House. The two documents are now available on Parliament's website: Motion for the Vote of No Confidence and the Prime Minister’s response
The intention to file the motion was submitted to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga by Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Eke in a group of 10 members of parliament, on Saturday, 23 November. The 63 pages Motion and supporting documents, spells out concerns over alleged government overspending, stalled projects, the handling of one of the public enterprises, the troubles between the two banks of the government, and education. It was signed by:
- Hon. Dr. ‘Aisake Eke, (PR Tongatapu 5)
- Lord Tu’ivakano,
- Lord Nuku,
- Hon. ‘Uhilamoelangi Fasi,
- Hon. Mateni Tapueluelu,
- Hon. Piveni Piukala,
- Hon. Kapelieli Lanumata,
- Hon. Mo’ale Finau,
- Hon. Vatau Hui, and
- Lord Tu’ilakepa.
Claim that Gov’t overspent PIFLM53 budget
The first allegation was that the Government violated the Public Finance Management Act by overspending the budget allocated in the 2024/2025 Budget Estimate, for the preparation and hosting of the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting (PIFLM53) that was held in Nuku‘alofa from 26 - 30 August.
The Public Finance Management Act, Clause one, states: ‘Appropriation required (1) no public money shall be expended unless the expenditure has been authorised by an Appropriation Act, limited in accordance with subsection (2) or is statutory expenditure.’
It claimed that in the Government budget statement 2024/2025 the cost of the construction of 200 houses would add up to $14.8 million, and then to add receptions, food, and other programs, the overall spending would be $20 million.
However, the motion claimed that the Government spent an excess of $17.7 million, from the $2.3 million (cash) budget that was passed in the Government Estimates 2024/2025.
The motion also expressed concern on a lack of transparency from the Government on how much was spent on the preparation and hosting of PIFLM53.
Hon. Hu’akavameiliku in a written response stated that only 150 houses were constructed due to the budget, even though the target number was 200.
The former PM stated that the government spending on PIFLM53 did not add up to the estimate cost / spending shown in the motion, supported by the Public Finance Management Act (2.10) and the Government Budget Statement 2024/2025.
Claim over stalled project for tsunami-affected Kanokupolu
The allegation stated dissatisfaction with how the Government has not been able to complete the construction of new houses at for the people of Kanokupolu to resettle to, after almost three years since the tsunami caused by the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption in January 2022, destroyed the village.
It refers to the Government project of building new houses in Matatoa, for the people of Kanokupolu to resettle in.
“It has been two years almost three years now, and still the construction is not yet completed, and some of these people are still living in fear because if the same disaster happens again, they have not moved to Matatoa,” the MPs stated
They pointed out that people in Kanokupolu still live in community halls, awaiting to move into the new homes the Government had promised them.
Furthermore, the motion noted the Government budget statement 2024/2025 (page 21) shows that out of the 260 houses that were destroyed in the HTHH tsunami, the construction of 113 new houses had been completed, and the rest 147 were expected to be completed by the end of June this year.
The Government responded that the process of doing paperwork and allocating the land for the 54 houses to built in Matatoa, was only completed in July this year.
“From then till today, a community hall and 11 house have been constructed and the keys have been handed over. The remaining houses for the people of Kanokupolu… will be completed soon.”
Claims over Gov’t handling of Lulutai Airlines
The third allegation in the motion claimed that the Government violated clause 51(1) of the Constitution by not submitting any annual report on the operations of the Lulutai Airlines, and also violated the Public Enterprises Act by not listing the Lulutai Airlines as a Public Enterprise.
The motion referenced the Public Account 2022/2023 – which stated that the Government had invested $21 million in Lulutai Airlines, as its shareholding, and additional $2 million in the FY2023/2024.
Even though Government had invested a total of $23 million in the airlines, in the last financial year 2023/2024, the Government had not submitted any reports on the operation of Lulutai Airlines, even though the topic on the issue have been raised many times in Parliament.
The motion claimed therefore, the government violated clause 51(1) of the Constitution.
Clause 51 states the function, constitution and powers of Cabinet “The executive authority of the Kingdom shall vest in the Cabinet, which shall be collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly for the executive functions of the Government.”
The motion stressed that the Government had not included the airline under the Public Enterprises in accordance with the Public Enterprises Act.
Concern was expressed about mishaps with Lulutai flights and that the Government had not submitted to Parliament a specific statement on these incidents nor any plans to prevent air accidents and to ensure air safety in the future.
In reposonse to these allegations, the government stated that the Lulutai Airlines was a government-owned company. The Government claimed that budget statements had been submitted to the House.
Moreover, the Government stated that the airlines were brought under the Public Enterprises when approved by Cabinet on 7 November this year.
Concern over unresolved troubles between the National Reserve Bank of Tonga and the Tonga Development Bank
The fourth allegation in the motion drew attention to the fraught relationship between the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) and the Tonga Development Bank (TDB).
The motion claimed that the Government was not doing a good job regarding the troubles, as the two banks answer to the Government.
Meanwhile, the court battles between the two banks could result in great loss of public money in the high cost of paying legal fees.
The motion noted that the Lord Chief Justice had ordered that over $15 million was to be paid by the Reserve Bank (NRBT) and its Governor, to the TDB.
“It’s the first time in the history of Tonga where the Government cannot control the operations of its two banks, the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT), and the Tonga Development Bank (TDB), which resulted in legal disputes at the Supreme Court. “This impacts the creditability of the role of the Reserve Bank to supervise banks in Tonga, as required by the National Reserve Bank of Tonga Act, and Financial Institution Act.”
The motion also questioned the financial status of the TDB regarding unpaid debts [loans] of companies that were insured by the Government, as shown in the TDB 2022 Annual Report.
The Government responded, “It is important to note that the two banks are two legal bodies that are independent from Government decision-making.”
The Government further noted that it respected the evidence shown in the motion regarding the order by the Lord Chief Justice, however, since these lawsuits are under the jurisdiction of the Court, “It is therefore wiser to let the rule of law to determine the right outcome.”
Dissatisfaction over CHOGM representation
The fifth allegation stressed dissatisfaction in the Government by not including the High Commissioner of Tonga to the United Kingdom, to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM) that was held in
October in Samoa. The motion claimed it was “a huge mistake and irresponsible” of the Government who was responsible for the safety and the good of the country.
The High Commissioner of Tonga to the United Kingdom, Hon. Fanetupouvava'u Tuita, is currently the Chair of the Board of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The Government denied the accusations. vThe Government stated that the goals for the CHOGM meeting were achieved, even though the High Commissioner, Hon. Fanetupouvava'u Tuita did not attend.
Quality education
The sixth allegation stated that the former Prime Minister's move to discontinue the secondary school entrance exams, and taking Forms 1 & 2 levels from government secondary schools down to primary schools, had caused missed opportunities for students to access better resources and highly skilled teachers.
The Motion claimed that the government had breached clause 3(1) of the Education Act:
“(3) Right to Education in Tonga (1) Every child in Tonga shall have the right to receive a quality education.”
It stressed the importance of the secondary school entrance exams (Class 6) as a checkpoint to examine the development and knowledge of the student, whether the student can take on the new syllabus of secondary level.
Forms 1 & 2
The motion emphasized that Forms 1 & 2 levels are the foundation in the academic journey of each student. “If the foundation is not strong the student will struggle in higher levels and national exams.”
The motion stated the importance for Forms 1 & 2 students to access better resources, as in Forms 3 to 7 in secondary schools, such as learning materials, highly skilled teachers, and access science and computer labs.
“There are social benefits in putting Forms 1 & 2 levels in secondary schools, such as mental and emotional maturity, learning from older students, able to learn sports and other activities,” the motion stated. Issues that emerged from the discontinuation of secondary school entrance exams, and putting Forms 1 & 2 levels in primary schools included:
- No checkpoint to examine the performance of the student (from Class 1 to 6)
- Lack of experienced teachers in Primary schools, to teach Forms 1 & 2 levels
- Lack of resources - a science lab
- Three subjects (Creative Technology, Tongan Society and Culture, and Movement and Fitness) were only added to the four compulsory subjects this year.
- Students struggle entering secondary schools (Form 3), because they are mentally unprepared, and falling behind in subjects that were not taught in Primary schools.
Form 5 national exams discontinued
The former Prime Minister and Minister for Education had announced there would be no more Form 5 national examinations, Tonga School Certificate (TSC) in Tonga, starting in 2022.
It was alleged that there were disadvantages of the Form 5 TSC discontinuation.
The motion stated the Tonga School Certificate was important for students who left high school in Form 5 for various reasons, like those getting into technical schools, those who were applying for jobs, and students continuing their education overseas.
It stated the Form 5 level is the foundation where students prepare for Form 6, whereby the Internal Assessment (IA) that students take in Form 5 will help them acquire skills in research, which will be useful in higher education. Issues resulting from discontinuation of the Form 5 TSC included:
- students were unprepared for Form 6
- without the TSC, students who dropped out of high school in Form 5, had difficulty in finding jobs, causing more social issues
- teachers prioritized Forms 6 & 7 students because of the national exam, therefore neglecting students in Form 5
“There is a huge gap in the knowledge and skills of Form 6 students.
“There is an urgent need to put an end to this issue in order to redeem education and the future of the country.” Hon. Hu’akavameiliku responseto these allegations, he stated was in the government's budget statement 2022/23, 2023/24, and 2024/25. Meanwhile, he added Tonga's report on “Improving Secondary School Outcomes in the Pacific” report number AUS0003385.
He denied the claim in the two last points of the motion, that stated the Government has violated clause 3(1) of the Education Act.
New Prime Minister
A new Prime Minister will be selected on Christmas Eve, 24 December, the Speaker announced during the afternoon session of Parliament on 9 December, shortly after King Tupou VI accepted the resignation of Hon. Hu’akavameiliku (Siaosi Sovaleni) as his Prime Minister.
The Speaker, Lord Fakafanua gave the House 14 days from 9 December, for members to nominate candidates to be the new Prime Minister, according to Clause 50A of the Constitution. The deadline for submitting nominations is 23 December.
The Parliament will reconvene on 24 December, to proceed with the next steps in the process of selecting of a new Prime Minister.
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See also:
Monday, December 9, 2024 https://matangitonga.to/2024/12/09/parliament-to-select-new-prime-minist...
Monday, December 9, 2024 https://matangitonga.to/2024/12/09/tonga-pm-resigns-ahead-no-confidence-...