From the House, by Pesi Fonua

Tonga's Prime Minister Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva promised parliament, yesterday June 14, that Government will host a meeting to explain his decision for Tongan schools to replace Standardized Marks with Raw Marks, and that all Tongans will be invited to attend.

Originally, there was a plan for officials from the Ministry of Education to make a presentations to Members of Parliament on the change over from Standardized Marks to Raw Marks on Friday, 17 June, but Lord Tu’iha’angana told the House that prominent members of the public were also keen to know more about the shift in the marking system

The Standardized Marks v Raw Marks issue was again raised in the House after the Prime Minister responded to a comment that was made by Lord Tu’ilakepa, the day before about a $250,000 computer software that was bought by the Ministry of Education from Piveni Piukala and Siaosi Pohiva.

It was anticipated that the proposed dialogue would clarify the issues relating to the examination marking system and the $250,000 computer software that the Ministry of Education bought.

Emergency Fund

Lord Tu’ilakepa moved on and talked about the devastating impact of the recent heavy rain on people who live in low-lying areas. He wanted to know about the status of the Government Emergency Fund.

The Prime Minister thanked the member for his care. He wanted Lord Tu’ilakepa to give a proposal of what he wanted government to do.

“I am sure you know what to do,” responded Lord Tu’ilakepa.

“Tell us!” demanded the Prime Minister.

Lord Nuku responded, “Give some fund to the Red Cross and to the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) so that they can go and help those who are in need.”

Tongan culture

On a completely separate issue, Lord Tu’ilakepa questioned a comment that was made by the Prime Minister that the law of the country could not be enforced on nobles because of the Tongan culture.

The Prime Minister said he would not respond to what had been said because he did not want to scare people, but he invited members to come to his office so that he could show them what he meant.

“It is not wise for you to threaten us,” said Lord Tu’ilakepa. “The law is the same for everyone.”

Salaries vote

After morning tea, the chairman of the Whole House Committee, Penisimani Fifita, moved for the debate to proceed to Vote No. 2 of the Legislative Assembly.

The Minister for Revenue Collection and Customs, Hon. Tevita Lavemaau, told the Committee that there was a slight increase in the vote for the salaries of new recruits to complete the staff requirements of the Legislative Assembly.  

Under this new budget, the House’s Constituents Fund, which had been managed by the Ministry of Finance, will come under the management of the Legislative Assembly.

Lord Tu’iha’ateiho, wanted to know who was sent overseas for medical treatment that cost $30,000.

There was no answer to Lord Tu’iha’ateiho’s query, but Lord Tu’ivakano, the Speaker, reminded the member that even the overseas medical treatment of Cabinet Ministers are paid for by the Legislative Assembly.

The Ha’apai People's Representative No. 12, Vili Hingano, expressed his concern that the salary of Members of Parliament was too small, taking into consideration their responsibilities and the difficulties of the work they do for the country. He said that their salaries were too small comparing with that of Members of Parliament in Fiji and Samoa.

Tevita Lavemaau told the House that the salaries of Members of Parliament were usually decided by the House, but then it was decided to let the Remuneration Authority to set the salaries, then it would be approved by the House. He suggested to leave it for the Remuneration Authority and the House to look into it.

He moved for the Committee to pass Vote No. 2.

Lord Fusitu’a, agreed that the salaries of Members of Parliament was very low, but to increase at the current state of Tonga’s economy was not logical.

Constituent Fund

Mateni Tapueluelu moved for the Constituent Fund to be increased from $150,000 to $200,000.

Vili Hingano, who was still pushing for the House to increase the salaries of members told the House that Members of Parliament are corrupted because of low salaries.

The PM asked the member to give a figure.

Vili said that in Samoa, the salary of a member of parliament is $95,000.

On a separate issue the Constituent Fund, Lord Fusitu’a moved for its control to be moved from the Treasury to the Legislative Assembly. The Development Fund which is managed by selected committees on various island group, should also be brought back to the Legislative Assembly to be managed by the People and the Nobles’ Representatives.

Mateni Tapueluelu said that a joint management of these funds by the People’s Representatives and the Nobles’ Representative can happen if the Nobles’ representatives are elected by the people.

Samiu Vaipulu reminded members that the actual amount is very small and it should be jointly managed by the People’s and the Nobles’ Representatives for the development of the community.

‘Aisake Eke, proposed for votes on the $150,000 Constituency Fund per constituent, and for the management of the Fund to be moved from the Treasury to the Legislative Assebly.

The Chairman of the Whole House Committee called for vote, and it was carried 19-0.

The debate in the House moved on to Vote No. 3 of the Auditor’s General and it was passed with 19-0 votes.

Vote No. 4 of the Public Relation Commission.

The Vote allocation of  the Public Relation Commission comprises of the Commission’s Office, a Complaint Committee and an Anti-corruption Commission.

‘Aisake  told the Committee that the Anti-corruption Commission is yet to be established.

“Why an Anti-corruption commissioner has not been appointed?” Lord Fusitu’a asked the PM, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva.

The Prime Minister responded that Cabinet rejected the [unidentified] Bill. The Privy Council, however, had proposed a salary of $300,000 for an Anti Corruption Commissioner and they had appointed a person to fill the post. Meanwhile, the position had been given to the Public Relations Commissioner.

[An Act was passed in 2007 for the establishment of an Anti-Corruption Commissioner, to be appointed by the Privy Council. However, an Anti-Corruption Commissioner has never been appointed.  Parliament in 2014 passed a Bill, enabling Cabinet to appoint such a person who could carry out the task of an Anti-corruption Commissioner, but the bill has never been enacted by His Majesty in Privy Council.]

Lord Nuku queried the logic of passing the Vote when such a position hads not been filled.

Hon. Tevita Lavemaau responded that the Vote provides the fund, and the next step was to appoint the person.

Lord Tu’ivakano pointed out that the move was to enable the Public Relations Commissioner to do the work of an Anti-Corruption Commissioner.

The Chairman called for votes and the Vote No. 4 of the Public Relations Commission was carried 17-1.  Against was Lord Nuku.