From the House by Pesi Fonua

The three urgent Bills that were tabled into Parliament on Monday, 23 November by the Prime Minister, Hon. Rev Dr Pohiva Tu’I’onetoa are yet to be reintroduced and passed by the House.

The three urgent Bills are: No. 39, an International Arbitration Bill 2020; No. 40 a Remuneration Bill and No. 41 an Electronic Communication Abuse Offences Bill.

All the three Bills were passed with unanimous votes of 18-0 after their first reading in Legislature on Monday. The Speaker lowered them to their appropriate Standing Committees for deliberation before they are reintroduced into the House for their final readings.

The three urgent Bills are very intense legislations.

The Electronic Communication Abuse Offences Bill attempts to control how people express their opinions on social media. It targets sexually offensive material and abuse causing harm by posting an electronic communication, including bullying, menacing and harrassing. People who share such information will also be liable to the penalities.

The International Arbitration Bill makes provisions for arbitration, the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards and related matters in Tonga. It's purpose is to facilitate the fair resolution of disputes by arbitration without unnecessary delay or expense and to give effect to Tonga's obligations under an international convention.

The Remunerations Bill deals with authority over government salaries.

Despite the urgency and complication of the Bills, it now looks unlikely that the Bills will be enacted as legislation before the end of the year.

The Prime Minister and his Cabinet are scheduled to travel to Vava'u for National Fasting and Praying to protect Tonga from the COVID-19:

• Fasting and Praying in Vava’u on 5-6 December.
• Fasting and Praying in Tongatapu from 18-19 January 2021.
• Fasting and Praying in the Niuas from 8-9 February 2021.

Parliament has not been in session since it closed at the end of the day on Monday, 23 November.