Speaker postpones Parliament on first day of session [1]
Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 18:23. Updated on Monday, May 12, 2014 - 23:45.
Tonga's 2006 Parliamentary session meeting on its first day, was this morning postponed until June12 by the Speaker of the Tongan Legislative Assembly, Hon. Tu'iha'angana.
The House is awaiting the return of the Nobes Lasike and Tu'iha'ateiho who must travel to Vava'u to present the House's reply to the Princess Regent's speech from the throne on the opening of the 2006 parliamentary session on June 1.
The Chief Clerk of the House, Tevita 'Ova said that Nobles Lasike and Tu'iha'ateiho would leave tomorrow for Vava'u where the Princess Regent is staying.
He said that the Minister of Finance Hon. Siosiua 'Utoikamanu launched his 2006 estimated Budget this morning, and during the few days break members will have the opportunity to study it. This year's Budget is said to be Tonga's biggest budget ever of over $200 million compared to $178 million for 2005-06.
Despite the increase, the Ministry of Finance is not releasing any information about the budget, "until it is passed by the House", not even the normal Budget Statement that is released to the Press when the Minister tables his budget into the House.
The other unusual withholding, is that normally members of parliament are paid their daily allowances straight after the opening of parliament, but not this year.
The Princess Regent Pilolevu Tuita left for Vava'u yesterday, June 5, to officiate at Vava'u's annual Environment Week.
Civil Case
The 2006 parliamentary session is getting off to a crunching start. The people's representatives who led a protest march after the opening of parliament on June 1 and presented a petition to the Princess Regent calling for Political Reform, were on the following day June 2 to file a Civil Case against the Prime Minister and two other defendants claiming that the opening of parliament by the Princess Regent was illegal.
Ha...apai By-election
The Ha'apai By-election to elect a replacement for Hon. Fineasi Funaki, will be held on July 20, confirmed Pita Vuki the Supervisor for the Election today.
Pita said that the registration of candidates for the Ha...apai By-election would be held on June 29.