Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa new Acting Minister of Tourism [1]
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Wednesday, February 3, 2016 - 17:21. Updated on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 - 17:27.
Pohiva Tui'onetoa
Hon Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa is the Acting Minister of Tourism effective 1 February, after HM King Tupou VI approved the termination of ‘Etuate Lavulavu's appointment as Minister of Tourism.
The Prime Minister’s Office today said Tu’i’onetoa who is currently the Minister of Police, Prisons and Fire Services and Minister of Commerce and Labour, was recommended by Prime Minister Hon 'Akilisi Pohiva to become the Acting Tourism Minister.
The termination of Lavulavu's ministerial appointment also recommended by the Prime Minister, followed a Supreme Court ruling which declared Lavulavu’s election as Vava’u no.16 People’s Representative to Parliament void after he was found to have committed bribery and had overspent during his 2014 Election campaign.
Parliament unseated Lavulavu as a member following the court's ruling on Friday, 29 January.
Lavulavu’s ministerial exit comes just only two-months after talking up the tourism portfolio on November 27, 2015.
Government [8]