From the House by Pesi Fonua

Tonga’s National Budget of $589.6 million pa’anga for 2020-2021 is the biggest deficit ever of  $60 million, the Minister of Finance, Hon. Tevita Lavemaau told parliament this morning.

The presentation of the National Budget to parliament this morning followed an unusual procedure.

Before the Minister of Finance, Hon Tevita Lavemaau presented his budget, the Prime Minister Hon. Dr Pohiva Tu’I’onetoa gave an introduction.

After morning tea the PM had asked to say a few words about the budget before the Minister of Finance presented his Budget Statement.

The PM stressed that the People’s Party had opened the way forward for Tonga. “We are in the Fourth Revolution and the People’s Party has the vision.”

He said that the CoViD-19 had not entered Tonga but it had made us look at life and where we are today and that the People’s Party has a vision. “We are not the country of  ice,” he said, [referring to Tonga's methamphetamine crisis].

People's Representative Mateni Tapueluelu interrupted, and queried if the PM’s explanation of the manifesto of his party was relevant to the National Budget.

The PM, who is also a Reverend, replied that the Bible, the people, and his party is the People’s Party.

People's Representative Semisi Sika, of the rival Patoa Paati, pointed out that if the PM was allowed to talk about his Party, then they should be allowed to talk about their party.

Speaker

Samiu Vaipulu, reminded the Speaker that he had the power to direct the proceedings of the House.

The Speaker gave the PM 10 minutes to finish what he wanted to talk about.

The PM said that the People’s Party came into power on 11 October 2019, seven months ago and they had a working plan for the next 10, 20 and 50 years to come.

Semisi Sika again pointed out that the PM was supposed to be talking about the National Budget, but the Speaker told the PM to continue.

The PM reminded the House that his government had staged two national fasts and prayer events “to protect Tonga from the virus” and he was inviting members to join them again on 4 June for another fast and prayer.

He reminded the House, this year’s budget was going to be a Deficit Budget, and he proposed a 20% salary cut for all members of Parliament.

The House then broke for Lunch.

Bible Reading

After lunch, the Minister of Finance, Hon. Tevita Lavemaau began introducing his National Budget Statement with a Bible reading from Psalm 91:2.

He then went on to outline how Tonga would face a $60 million pa'anga budget deficit during the 2020-21 Financial Year. “I think this is our biggest budget deficit ever.”

Tonga’s total National Budget for 2020-21 is $589.6 million pa’anga.

He said that Tonga’s $422.7million loan from China was due to be repaid in 2024 but he suggested for Tonga to plead with the Chinese to cancel the repayment of the loan.

Let's sing

Hon. Tevita Lavemaau, wanted to end his presentation with a hymn that he spelled out.

The Speaker pointed out to the Minister that he had not given him permission for the House to sing a hymn.

The Minister however insisted that the Hymn was part of his Budget Presentation.

“Let's sing,” he said, and the members sang the hymn to end his Budget Statement presentation.

The Prime Minister also moved for the House to vote on his 20% salary reduction for members of Parliament, but the Speaker pointed out that the House had to debate over the 20% salary reduction for all members.

Semisi Sika pointed out that purpose for the 20% salary reduction that was proposed by the PM was not very clear.

He said that the total amount that government woulf get from such a reduction was only $329,000. He suggested for other members to keep their salaries, except for him and the PM.

Hon. Dr Pohiva Tu’I’onetoa pointed out that the money was to help the poor and those who were badly affected by the CoViD-19 situation, and the intention was to show people that they were sincerely concerned about them.

While members of the House were still not sure what to do with the 20% salary reduction, the Speaker called for the House to close until tomorrow, Tuesday.