Photos by Linny Folau and Peter Poulsen

From the House by Pesi Fonua

There was an uproar in the Tongan Parliament this morning, 25 August when, in a bid to avoid impeachment, Hon. ‘Etuate Lavulavu presented a motion for parliament to replace members of its Standing Committee on Privileges with new members of his own selection.

The committee is currently carrying out an investigation into a motion that was presented to the House for the impeachment of Hon. Lavulavu, Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism, for alleged nepotism, and misuse and mismanagement of government’s properties.

The Chairman of the Standing Committee on Privileges, Lord Fusitu’a told the House that since 19 August, when the House agreed to give the minister a chance to have a dialogue with the committee, they had not been able to meet him. He said that they had given Hon. Lavulavu the final opportunity to come and meet them yesterday, before they proceeded to submit their findings to the House but he had not appeared.

However, this morning Hon. Lavulavu tabled a motion to the House to dismantle the Comnmittee, and replace members with members of his selection – to make decision if there is a case for the House to impeach him or not. Hon. Lavulavu's proposed Standing Committee members were: Lord Vaea, Lord Tu'iha'ateiho, Hon. Tevita Lavemaau, Hon. Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa, 'Epenisa Fifita and Vili Manuopangai Hingano.

Lord Fusitu’a expressed outrage that the minister, Hon. Lavulavu, wanted to select a committee to decide on his own impeachment.

There was  a bit of a commotion as the House was disturbed by the intent of the Motion.

The upheaval in parliament calmed down after the Prime Minister, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva asked the minister to withdraw his motion.

Hon. Lavulavu agreed and withdrew his motion, the second motion to be presented to parliament this year.

The first motion, also by Hon. Lavulavu, was for Parliament to buy three tractors for Vava’u but that motion was also withdrawn for cabinet to work on.

Members of the Standing Committee of Privileges, excluding the Vava’u members are:

Chairman, Lord Fusitu’a, Lord Tu’ivakano, Mateni Tapueluelu, Hon. Vuna Fa’otusia, Hon. ‘Aisake Eke and Lord Tu’iha’angana.

The Vava’u members Samiu Vaipulu, Lord Tu’I’afitu and Lord Tu’ilakepa stepped down to avoid conflict of interest because the motion for the impeachment of the Minister was initiated by Vava’u civil servants.

The selection of members of Standing Committees is a responsibility of the Speaker of the House.

The House worked only a half-day today because they had to attend the ground breaking ceremony by HM King Tupou VI, for the construction of St George Palace at Pangai Si’i, at 2:00 pm.