From the House by Pesi Fonua

The Tongan Parliament had an emergency session today to rescue Tonga’s  2018-19 National Budget of $659.3 million that was destined to end on 30 June 2018, instead of 30 June 2019. The error in the date was passed in the Budget on June 20.

The 2018-19 National Budget is Tonga’s biggest, and the major error was in Clause 2 of the 2018-2019 Appropriation Act 2019, which spelled out that the national budget for 2018-2019 ended on 30 June 2018 instead of 30 June 2019.

Only 14 members of the 26 members parliament attended this afternoon's session, which started at 2pm and ended after 3pm. The Prime Minister and a majority of Cabinet Ministers were not present at this emergency session.

After rescuing the country’s 2018-19 National Budget, government also agreed to pay two terms school fees for the children of ‘Eua. Initially,

Tevita Lavemaau, the People's Representative for 'Eua moved for government to pay the school fees which they promised. Lord Nuku, the Nobles' Representative for 'Eua moved for the House to vote. Lord Tu'ilakepa, the Acting Speaker pointed out that it was obvious which side would win, because there only a few Cabinet Minister in the House. Lord Nuku reminded Lord Tu'ilakepa that they are in the House to address the need of the people. At the end the House did not vote, but government agreed to pay the school fees for the children of 'Eua.

The islands of ‘Eua and Tongatapu were devastated by Cyclone Gita on 12-13 February 2018.