A public consultation on six Government Bills will start on Monday, May 6 by members of the Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee on Legislation.

The bills, which were tabled in Parliament last month, are:

• Bill no.15/2019 - Act of Constitution of Tonga (Amendment) Bill 2019
• Bill no.16/2019 - Act of Constitution of Tonga (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2019
• Bill no.17/2019 - Tonga Police (Amendment) Bill 2019
• Bill no.18/2019 - Magistrate’s Courts (Amendment) Bill 2019
• Bill no.19/2019 - Judicial and Legal Service Commission Bill 2019
• Bill no.20/2019 - National Spatial Planning and Management (Amendment) Bill 

Parliament stated the aim of the public consultation is to brief the public on the amendments proposed in the Bills, gather the public’s opinion on those proposed amendments and invite written submissions.

A public awareness program focused on providing information and clarification of the Bills began on April 29 in the lead up to the public meetings.

The public meetings start in Vava’u on Monday (May 6–10), followed by Ha’apai (May 13-14), Tongatapu from May 15-22 and ‘Eua on May 24.

The members of the Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee on Legislation are:

• Hon Samiu Vaipulu - Chairman
• Lord Fakafanua
• Lord Fusitu'a
• Hon Mateni Tapueluelu
• Hon Sione Vuna Fa'otusia
• Hon Mo'ale Finau
• Attorney General
• Members (Reserves)
  • Lord Tu'iha'angana
  • Hon Losaline Ma'asi
  • Hon 'Akosita Lavulavu