From the House by Pesi Fonua

The Tonga government’s plan to open its border for incoming passengers between New Zealand and Tonga this week is deferred, Prime Minister Hon. Rev. Pohiva Tu‘i‘onetoa told Members of Parliament yesterday, 29 June.

However, Hon. Dr Rev Pohiva Tu‘i‘onetoa said he would make a formal announcement “soon” to let people know what is going to happen.

As for the domestic air service, a new national airline called the Lulutai, according to the Prime Minister, possibly will start flying in August.

The PM reminded members of parliament of how fortunate Tonga was, that COVID-19 had not arrived in the country.

As the Prime Minister and as a Reverend, he announced that there would be another Fasting this coming weekend, starting on Saturday, with a church service to be led by the Tokaikolo Church, and it would end on Sunday with a prayer service, led by the Constitutional Church of Tonga.

Parliament

The Tongan Parliament resumed its 2020-21 session yesterday after a week's break, following their intense national budget debate in the House.

The Speaker Lord Fakafanua also informed members that after yesterday’s sitting the House would have another break, for two weeks from 30 June until July 13, giving the Standing Committees of the House an opportunity to complete their deliberations over Bills, Regulations and Petitions that had been tabled into the House, before they were tabled into Legislature.

The Minister of Finance Hon. Tevita Lavemaau reminded members that 30 June is the end of the 2019-2020 Financial Year. His Majesty in Privy Council had approved the 2020-21 National Budget and the allocations would be paid out from the following day.

Among some of the controversial Bills that were tabled into Legislature and lowered to their appropriate Standing Committee yesterday, were a Foreign Investment Bill 2020.

People's Representative for Vava'u and the Acting Minister of Justice Hon Samiu Vaipulu pointed out that the Bill had to be amended because a Foreign Investor “could not re-enter the country because he or she does not have a Tongan Passport”.

A Bill to move mentally ill patients from hospitals to be looked after at prison compounds is also a major project because of an increasing number of mentally ill patients.

A Bill for the appointment of a Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, transfers the appointment process from the Public Service Commission to the Privy Council.

Most controversial, was a motion by the Prime Minister to amend the Rules of Proceeding of the House, so that a Cabinet Member can table a Bill to the House.

Under the current procedure private members bills may be tabled into Parliament, while Cabinet members table Bills from Cabinet/Government, and not as an individual member of parliament.