From the House by Pesi Fonua

Tonga's Parliament this afternoon decided unanimously to allow more time for the House Committee on Privileges to inquire into impeachment allegations against Hon. 'Etuate Lavulavu, that were tabled into parliament on Monday 17 August.

The House today, August 19 has voted 15-0 in favour of a move to give the committee extended time.

This morning the chairman of the Privileges Committee, Lord Fusitu’a presented a report of the finding of the committee. He told the House that after they read through the supporting documents they agreed that there is a case to be heard.

However, what followed was a tug of war between the Prime Minister, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva, with Hon. ‘Etuate Lavulavu, the Minister of Police, Hon. Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa on one side, and the Chairman of the Privileges Committee, Lord Fusitu’a, Lord Tu’ilakepa and Lord Tu’i’afitu on the other side. The PM's group argued that the work of the Committee was incomplete because they did not inquire with Hon. ‘Etuate Lavulavu himself. They argued that there was no prima facie case.

Lord Fusitu’a insisted that they have confirmed that there is a case, and that the next step was for the House to proceed and vote if an Impeachment hearing should take place.

The Minister of Finance, Hon. ‘Aisake Eke, a member of the Privilege Committee also told the House that during the lunch break he went back to his office and checked if there was really a case, and he considered, “yes there is a case.”

The tug of war over the report of the Privilege Committee had taken up most of the time of the House proceedings today, and in the end the Speaker called for vote on a motion by the People's Representative for Tongatapu constituent No. 4 Mateni Tapueluelu for the committee to carry out further inquiry.

No set time was given to the Committee - some suggested one day, others one month, but the Speaker suggested one week but not more than two weeks.

Because of concern over conflict of interest, since the motion for the impeachment of the minister came from Vava’u, the two members of the committee from Vava’u, Nobles’ Representative No. 1 Lord Tu’I’afitu and the Vava’u People Representative No. 15, Samiu Vaipulu stepped down as members of the Committee.

The current members of the Standing Committee of Privileges are, chairman Lord Fusitu’a, the Minister of Justice, Hon. Vuna Fa’otusia; the Minister of Finance, Hon. ‘Aisake Eke; the Speaker, Lord Tu’ivakano and Mateni Tapueluelu.