CPA gifts computers for Tongan Legislature [1]
Friday, October 6, 2006 - 19:14. Updated on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 - 18:35.
The Tongan parliament received a gift of computers and other office equipment, today from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).
The resident Australian High Commissioner in Tonga HE Mr Colin Hill presented the equipment to the Speaker of the Tongan parliament, Hon. Tu'iha'angana, and said that it was bought under the CPA Education Fund as part of the CPA's $20,000 grant to Tonga this year. The office equipment included two computers, two printers, one laptop, one digital projector, and transcribing machines. Under the same package the CPA also finances training workshops and an attachment programs for the Hansard staff of the Tonga Legislative Assembly.
Mr Hill also presented the Tonga Legislative Assembly with two computers and two second hand laptops from the Australian Commonwealth Parliament Association.
He said that the function of parliament is the cornerstone for any country's democratic process. Since the CPA Education Trust Fund was established in the early 1990...s they had provided assistance in training and equipment to parliaments throughout the Pacific CPA branches, and the Australian Commonwealth Parliament Association had also been helping with the development of parliament in the Asia Pacific Region.
The CPA this year increased their grant to the Tongan Legislative Assembly from $10,000 AUD to $20,000.