Acting Speaker demands PM explain why 6 Bills are urgent [1]
Tuesday, March 19, 2019 - 11:24. Updated on Thursday, March 21, 2019 - 12:12.
From the House by Pesi Fonua
After a late start, Parliament closed early yesterday, Monday March 18, while the House was in a deadlock over a demand by the Acting Speaker Lord Tu‘ilakepa for the Prime Minister to explain why the six Bills he had tabled into parliament were urgent.
There was no definite response from the Prime Minister Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva on why he considered the Bills to be urgent.
The Minister of Justice, Hon. Vuna Fa’otusia, however, pointed out that it was vital to incorporate the amended bills into the National Budget, which would be implemented at the end of June.
He reminded the House that the salaries of Supreme Court Judges are in the range of $100,000 pa’anga.
The Acting Speaker continued to insist that the Prime Minister explain clearly to the House why the Bills are urgent.
There was no clear explanation forthcoming.
He then called for the House to close until the following day, Tuesday March 19, when the Speaker was expected to return.
The Acting Speaker referred to Clause 131 of the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga:
The Legislative Assembly shall not proceed upon a Bill after its first reading for a period of two weeks or such longer time that the Assembly decides is needed to allow members to scrutinise the Bill, and for the public to make submissions, but this shall not apply to –
(a) Appropriation Bills; and
(b) Bills certified by the Prime Minister to be urgent.
Late start
On Monday Parliament did not start until 2:00pm. The Speaker was away in New Zealand, and the Acting Speaker was arriving late from Vava'u.
Parliament originally scheduled to close on 14 March, but has extended its session because of a request from the Prime Minister and Cabinet for parliament not to close until 28 March.