Tonga's Prime Minister, Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva did not attend the opening of the Tongan Parliament 2018 session, this morning, 11 January and no mention of his absence was made in what was called a "Huufi Fakalotofale 'o e Fale Alea 'o Tonga" or "in-house" session.

The first session of Parliament following the General Election on 16 November 2017 opened at 10:00am with only one or two members of the public attending and not one foreign diplomat was present.

Noticeable also was the absence of six members of parliament. The PM who is currently in the Intensive Care Unit at Vaiola Hospital, who was supposed to attend, obviously could not make it, and neither could five other members of parliament: Hon. Semisi Fakahau (TBU8), Lord Tu'ilakepa (the Deputy Speaker); Lord Tu'i'afitu (VV2 Nobles), Siaosi Sovaleni (TBU3) and Samiu Vaipulu (VV15).

The program for the Opening of the 2018 Parliament was very brief.

A message from HM King Tupou VI was conveyed by HSH Prince Tu’ipelehake, accompanied by Lord Fakatulolo and Lord Luani.

The King's message acknowledged the progress and success of  development in the economic and the social sectors that had been initiated a few years ago.

Among some of these development projects is the construction of the wharf for domestic shipping, a project to be completed shortly and will be called, the Taufa’ahau Tupou IV Domestic Terminal.

The King expressed his gratitude to foreign countries, which had contributed to the development of Tonga, including the People’s Republic of China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

The King also expressed his best wishes to the House following the November 2017 General Election and called for a closer working relationship, according to the law and the Constitution for the unity and the development of the country.

The new Speaker of the House, Lord Fakafanua, concluded the session by tasking a six-members committee to draft a response to the Message from the Throne. The committee includes Lord Tu'iha'angana, Lord Fusitu'a, Hon. Semisi Fakahau, Dr Saia Piukala, Losaline Ma'asi and Tevita Lavemaau. This committee is to meet tomorrow, 12 January 10:00am at the Conference Room of the Legislature.

The Speaker said he would inform members of when the House will meet again next week.

The Members of the Legislative Assembly will take their oath of office on the first sitting day of the Legislative Assembly, to be announced.