From the House by Pesi Fonua.

The Tongan Parliament worked a half-day today, because the Prime Minister and Cabinet had scheduled a visit to the Royal Palace, in the afternoon.

Before the House adjourned for lunch, the Minister of Police, Hon. Mateni Tapueluelu, requested they have a break for the rest of the day because he said they were going to the Palace in the afternoon.

At that point, it was not clear why the Prime Minister Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva and Cabinet Ministers had to be at the Palace in the afternoon, but the Speaker accepted the request by the Minister of Police.

Public ector Reform

During the two-hours morning session before lunch, the Minister for Finance, Hon. Dr Pohiva Tu‘i‘onetoa elaborated that the 34% budget allocation for the government’s No. 1 Working Program “Public Sector Reform” was not just for the establishment of the two independent commissions (the Passport Commission and the Commission to investigate the burning of the Nuku’alofa Commercial Business District during the 2006 riots) but it was for the whole Public Sector Reform working program.

Lord Nuku, objected to the Minister’s elaboration, and pointed out that it was the wrong place for it. He should do it when they were in the Whole House Committee, not in the Legislature. The Speaker agreed with Lord Nuku.

Hon Dr Pohiva Tu‘i‘onetoa disagreed.

Parliamentary broadcasts

The House then proceeded to another issue, of why the 87.5 FM radio station was no longer broadcasting the proceedings of the House.

Lord Tu‘i‘afitu told the House, that 87.5FM was not broadcasting because they were not paid for their service.

The Speaker clarified the situation that another station 88.1 FM and the Tonga Broadcasting Commission are now broadcasting the proceedings of the House. He also reminded the House, that Parliament used to pay for the live broadcasting of the proceedings of the House, but not any more.

Elaboration

The Legislature dissolved into the Whole House Committee and the Minister of Finance continued to elaborate on a report in the Matangi Tonga on the Government’s economic visions.

He wanted to correct something. He said that there was no threat from foreign budgetary supporters that they would not release their $35 million unless government amended the Foreign Investment Act.

He explained that the House was dismantled in 2018 and it affected the work of government and that was why the foreign funding was not released, but he said that when they were re-elected, they renegotiated and the funding was released.

He appealed to members, that if they get angry with government, not to go and plead with the King to dismantle Parliament.

The Minister of Police and Revenue Collection, reminded the House that with foreign aid, there were triggers to be activated before the aid was released, and that was why it was important for the House to pass the legislation.

Tapaka Tonga

The House then got on to an issue that Government is proposing to impose tax on the sales of Tapaka Tonga – Tongan tobacco, because there is a big drop in the purchasing of imported cigarettes, because it is very expensive, whereas the Tapa Tonga is tax free, and cheaper.

Samiu Vaipulu responded that if Tongan tobacco is taxed then government should also tax people selling fish and Tongan cookies on the side of the road. He also expressed his concern that government is more concern with trying to attract foreign investment from foreigners, overlooking overseas Tongan investors.

The Prime Minister Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva [who has returned from New Zealand] reminded the House that government collected revenues from the tax of imported tobacco, not from Tapaka Tonga, which most people are smoking.

Hon. Mateni Tapueluelu reminded the House that government collected $6.7 million from the taxation of imported cigarettes, and only $1 million from the taxation of Tapaka Tonga [sold in the shops].

He then informed the House that they, the Cabinet were going to visit the Palace in the afternoon, and he proposed for the House to defer its procedings until tomorrow morning.

The Speaker then announced for the House to resume on Tuesday morning, 18 June.