From the House by Pesi Fonua

The Tonga Parliament yesterday, 20 May replaced its current Chairman of the Whole House Committee, Hon. Veivosa Light of Day Taka with Lord Tu'i'afitu.

Lord Tu'i'afitu is the Nobles’ No. 2 Representative for Vava’u.

The decision by government to replace the Chairman of the Whole House Committee stirred up a few loud verbal exchanges and took up most of Wednesday’s parliamentary session.

The Minister of Education, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni tabled to Parliament the day before, the government’s nomination for a new Chairman, Lord Tu'i'afitu, to replace Hon. Taka, (Ha'apai PR).

Hon. Taka, has been serving three years of his four years term as the Chairman of the Whole House Committee WHC, and the 2020-21 Parliamentary Session was to be his final year as chair.

Although the selection of a chairman is entirely a matter for the Speaker and the members of parliament to decide, it is most unusual for a chairman to be replaced before he has completed his four years term in office.

Penisimani ‘Epenisa Fifita, the Tongatapu People’s Representative No. 9 was the first to take the floor and called for Hon. Taka to remain in office and complete his four years term as Chairman.

The Minister of Finance, Hon. Tevita Lavemaau reminded the House that 2020-21 was going to be a very difficult year for Tonga. He stressed that the government’s decision to nominate a new Chairman was a similar approach to how our National Rugby Team, the ‘Ikale Tahi is selected – “we pick the best”.

Hon. Poasi Mataele Tei, the Minister of MEIDECC also expressed his sincere support for the decision, so that government can move forward with its working program during its remaining years in office.

Hon. Tu’ilakepa, the Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, questioned if it was legally correct for the Hon. Taka to remain in the House since he had threatened to physically attack him.

The Speaker called for vote to put aside Clause 150 (2) of the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly. It was carried 21-9.

Semisi Sika, the People’s Representative No. 2 for Tongatapu, moved for the Tongatapu People’s Representative Losaline Ma'asi, to replace, Hon. Taka as the Chairman of Whole House Committee.

The Speaker called for votes, and Losaline Ma'asi was rejected 9-11.

The Speaker called for votes, for Lord Tu’I’afitu to replace, Hon. Taka as the Chairman of the Whole House Committee, and Lord Tu’I’afitu was elected with 11-7 votes.

Before the House closed for the day, the Minister of Health Hon. ‘Amelia Afuha’amango Tu’ipulotu informed members that the Ministry of Health was not ready for the Prime Minister “to lift the border control”.

Semisi Sika also suggested for members to refocus their mindset on the National Budget that had yet to be tabled into parliament. He proposed for the House to close until Monday.

The Speaker called for the House to close until 10:00am Monday.