From the House by Pesi Fonua.

The Tongan Parliament resumed yesterday morning, 29 June, after it had a fortnight break after the House passed the 2021-2022 National Budget on 10 June.

During the break, the Prime Minister and his Cabinet went the island of ‘Eua for the launching of a new Tonga Defence Services military base, as well as engaging in praying and fasting for Tonga to be protected from the COVID-19, and the opening of the annual Conference of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga.

It was a slow start on Tuesday, and the Deputy Speaker, Lord Tu‘iha‘angana led the session because the Speaker, Lord Fakafanua was not present. The Deputy Speaker had to defer the House for a short break because it did not have a quorum.

After the break, a member of the House Vuna Fa’otusia, who had been away for medical treatment in New Zealand for months, returned but his outfit needed to be approved by the Speaker, before he could enter the House in a suit. He could not wear the traditional Tongan formal dress.

The Speaker gave his approval and Vuna, entered the House.

Student with COVID-19

While the House was still in Legislature, the Minister of Education, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku informed members that a Tongan Student at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji was affected by COVID-19.

The Speaker expressed his sympathy, and stressed that all the House could do was to pray for this student.

The Tongatapu No. 2 People’s Representative, Semisi Sika expressed his concern that a Cabinet Minister and a member of the House ('Akosita Lavulavu) had been found guilty and was waiting to be sentenced by the Supreme Court. The member was not in parliament but Semisi was expressing his concern over the damage that the member was doing to the reputation of the House.

Lord Tu‘i‘afitu responded that a committee that is responsible for addressing such an issue would meet to deliberate over the issue.

Semisi wanted to know if the member was still receiving her salary from the House.

The Speaker responded that the member should ask the government. She is still a member of parliament, but she was off work today.

Privy Council

The issue relating to the Cabinet Minister was pushed aside and the Minister of Justice, Hon. Samiu Vaipulu brought the House back to their working agenda, and stressed the importance of a bill he had tabled to amend the constitution by inserting a Clause 31C (1) There shall be an Auditor General, appointed by the Speaker with the consent of the Legislative Assembly. (2) The Auditor General shall, unless otherwise provided by law, have complete discretion to exercise his legal powers and duties independently without indifference whatsoever from any person or authority."

The Bill had its first, second and third reading, and it was passed with votes of 19-0.

Revenue Collection

The Speaker called on the Minister of Finance, Hon. Tevita Levemaau to brief a Bill that he tabled relating to Revenue Collection.

He explained that there had been an attempt to amend this Act since 2015, specifically Clauses 68, 69, 70 and 71, to enable government to trace the tax that had been collected, and most importantly for the revenue collector to remain independent.

The Bill was passed after its first reading, then the Tongatapu No. 4 People Representative, Mateni Tapueluelu moved for the Bill to be lowered to the Whole House Committee for further deliberation.

Hon. Tevita Lavemaau, objected and pointed that the Bill has been withdrawn from the House about 20 times.

The Speaker reminded the Minister that they had to follow the procedure and lower it to the Standing Committee for further deliberation.

A Bill and Regulations that were tabled into Parliament to be amended and were lowered to Whole House Committee, included:

1. Fisheries Regulation (Special Management Area SMA) 2020.
2. Custom Duty Regulation 2020
3. Excise Tax Regulation (Keeping the record in Tongan or English, but now in Chinese).
4. Health - COVID-19 Regulation
5. Regulation – PACERPlus
6. Public Revenue Collection Bill