Tonga's Parliament could not re-open its sitting yesterday Monday 10 August when only 11 members turned up and failed to meet the quorum of 13. 

A quorum of 13 members including the Speaker is required under clause 69 of the Constitution for the House to sit. The 11 members attending included the Speaker Lord Tu'ivakano and two other Nobles Representatives, four Cabinet Ministers and four People’s Representatives, stated Parliament's Office.

Lord Tu’ivakano said in the House that the members of this executive frequent absence in the current parliamentary sitting was the worst so far.

He said there were two letters from Cabinet calling for the further adjournment. One letter called to reconvene the House last Monday while the second one said Cabinet Ministers would not be available to attend sessions until 13 August. This was to allow members to attend the Royal Agricultural Show and other official engagement overseas, he said.

The Speaker called on cabinet ministers to improve their attendance because they needed to work together to carry out the functions of parliament.

Members who attended included the Minister of Finance and National Planning Hon Dr ‘Aisake Eke, Minister of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources Lord Ma’afu, Minister for Inland Revenue Hon Tevita Lavemaau, Tongatapu No. 2 People’s Rep and Chairman of Whole House Committee Semisi Sika, Tongatapu No. 4 People’s Rep Mateni Tapueluelu, Tongatapu Rep 9 Penisimani Fifita and Ha’apai No. 13 People’s Rep Veivosa Taka.

Nobles representatives included Lord Vaea Tongatapu 1 and Ha’apai Noble Representatives Lord Tu’iha’angana and Lord Tu’iha’ateiho.

Parliament’s last sitting was on 23 June when it approved the national budget.