From the House, by Pesi Fonua

The authority of the House is being eroded by the continued deference of its proceedings during the past weeks, Lord Tu’i’afitu, the Chairman of the Whole House Committee warned Parliament when it met on 1 December.

He expressed his concern over how slow the Standing Committees on Legislation are in processing legislation that has been tabled into the Committee by the Legislature, and how slowly government was taking action on matters that had been tabled into Parliament.

Lord Tu’i’afitu pleaded with the Prime Minister to speed up the government working process, “because a slow working procedure will leave Government in an unstable situation at the end of the year.”

Lord Tu’i’afitu apologised to the members of the House for openly expressing his concern, “but I am concerned with the image of the House,” he said.

The Speaker of the House, Lord Fakafanua told Lord Tu’i’afitu that he would let the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Legislation, Mo’ale Finau respond to his concern.

Mo’ale, however, did not have much to say other than when the House broke-up he returned to Ha’apai, and he had problems attending meeting of the Standing Committee in Nuku’alofa.

Not broadcast

The failure of the House to broadcast its proceedings as usual on local radio was another concern.

The People’s Representative for Tongatapu No. 9, Penisimani Fifita, reminded the House and the Speaker that the proceedings in the House were not being broadcasted on FM radio stations as normal.

There was no response from the Speaker.

Banking legislation

Instead, the Minister of Finance, Hon. Tevita Lavemaau changed the subject and proceeded to remind the House that the National Reserve Bank of Tonga had been working on banking legislation for three years.

The Speaker, Lord Fakafanua called for the Clerk to read Bill No. 44, the Banking Legislation.

The Bill is a requirement by the International Monetary Fund, for government legislation to regulate its connections with banks. “It gives the Reserve Bank the authority over all other Banks in Tonga.”

After its first reading in the House the bill was carried with votes of 15-0. Bill No. 44 proceeded down to the Standing Committee on Legislation.

Another Constitutional amendment

The Speaker called for the clerk to read the report of the Standing Committee on Legislation, on Bill No. 42 2020 to amend the Constitution, and Bill No. 42 (a) to amend the Public Holidays Act.

The Bills were submitted by Lord Tu’ivakano, and also proposed for Bill No. 42 (a) to be also a part of Bill No. 42.

According to the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Legislation, Mo’ale Finau, the Bills related for the surrendering of Tonga to God.

Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni pointed out that Bill No. 42 was a Private Member’s Bill by Lord Tu’ivakano but because it has something to do with the Constitution, it should have been through Cabinet before it is tabled into the House. The Bills however went straight to the Standing Committee on Legislation.

The Speaker agreed with Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, but proceeded and called on the clerk to read the Bills.

No one raised the fact that there had been no public consultation on the proposed constitutional change, for the second time in this session.

Bill No. 42 was cited as the Act of Constitution of Tonga (Amendment) (No. 2)

“A Bill for an Act to amend the Act of Constitution of Tonga to commemorate and honour the Tukufonua Ki Langi.”

The Constitution is amended by deleting the preamble and substituting it with the following, which was attributed to Tupou I:

Preamble: WE, THE PEOPLE OF TONGA hereby honour, preserve, and resound to present and future generations and throughout Tonga, the legacy of the Tukufonua ki Langi, a dedication by King George Tupou I on the twentieth day of November, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine, at Pouono proclaiming-

“O GOD OUR FATHER, I give unto you my land, my people and all generations of people who follow hereafter: that you protect them from Heaven. God and Tonga are mine inheritance.”

The Constitution of Tonga was granted by His Majesty King George Tupou I on 4 November 1875 and has since been amended in accordance with the law on different dates.

The Speaker called for votes on Bill No. 42 an amendment to the Tongan Constitution 2020. It was carried 14-0.

New public holiday

The next bill created a new public holiday for November 20.

A first reading of Bill No. 42 (A) - Public Holidays (Amendment) Bill 2020

A bill for an Act to amend the Public Holidays Act. Section 2 of the Principal Act is amended – a. in paragraph (a)l, by inserting the words “Tukufonua ki Langi Remembrance Day – November 20: “immediately after the words “Constitution Day – November 4;” and b. in the provision, by inserting the words “the Tukufonua ki Langi Remembrance Day,” immediately after the word “except”.

First Reading - Bill No. 42 (A) – an amendment to Holidays 2020. Carried 13-0.

The House closed at mid-day on 2 December, and members will be informed when parliament will resume again.