Debates on the Votes of various government ministries would have been a highlight of the budget debate in the House on June 27, but unfortunately it became just a matter of procedure to pass the votes. In the end the last three ministry votes were just lumped together and voted on at once.

'Isileli Pulu and Sunia Fili were two People's Representatives who tried to follow the figures and succeeded in revealing details of government subsidies and the government spending of aid money.

'Akilisi Pohiva was more of a distraction than anything else, and his proposal for a cut by $2 million in the vote of the Tonga Defence Service was a good example. The Minister of Defence responded that it was an unwise move by the member, and reminded the House of the events of 16/11.

From the House, an English translation summary from the Tongan vernacular, by Pesi Fonua. Tonga Legislative Assembly, Minute No. 12, June 27, 2007 (evening).

Wednesday Night June 27

After taking his chair in the Whole House Committee the Chairman called for vote No. 4 of the Commissioner for Public Relations. It was carried 25-0.

Debate continued with Vote No. 5 of the Audit Department.

'Isileli Pulu commented that the Audit Department had never presented an annual report to the House since 2001, but he praised the Prime Minister because after he became PM last year the department presented a report to the House.

The Chairman called for votes and Vote No. 5 was carried 26-0.

Vote No. 6 of the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

'Uliti Uata commented on a tedious procedure of how the Treasury paid for government debts.

Noble Luani reminded the House that they were debating the budget, so they were dealing with figures and not with the working procedures of Ministries.

The Minister of Finance said that his ministry was constantly trying to improve their service to the public, and legislation had been passed, and there was a new one that he had tabled into the House, but he said that the best time to debate on the work of his ministry would be when the House looks at annual reports from ministries. With regards to the concern of the PR about the tedious procedure of processing a voucher through the Ministry he said that that was the normal procedure that is everywhere else in the world, and the staff of the Treasury are doing their best to pay government's debts.

'Isileli Pulu asked the Minister of Finance to detail the $5.3 million allocation for subsidies. He also pointed out an allocation of $3.7 million for the repayment on interest on loans locally and internationally. There is also $12.7 million for the repayment of principal on all government loans. He wanted to know what loans were to be repaid with the $12.7 million.

The Minister of Finance said that the $5.3 million for subsidies would go toward $1.4 million for Education, $140,000 on subsidies for air and shipping transport to the Niuas, and $105,000 for banking services. There were also subsidies toward the price of electricity for consumers, and towards projects that have been set up by the National Economic Summit, such as market centres overseas, a Credit Union, a farm and other programs to assist the Private Sector.

With regards to loan repayments he said that the figures provided were the best that they could produce but change in the exchange rate would alter the figures.

The total government bonds that had to be repaid during 2007-08 amounted to $6.3 million.

He said that the government's oldest loan that was still being repaid is a loan from Germany for the MV Fua Kavenga and is repaid during June and December totalling $1.1 million.

'Isileli wondered if an amount has been aside for government to plant squash.

The Minister said that he did not know of such a scheme.

'Akilisi, on a different issue, said that there was an issue that was raised the night before about a $27 million government advance, he wondered if that amount had been written-off.

The Chairman asked the member what clause in the budget he was referring to (because 'Akilisi was referring to something that was not in the budget).

The Chairman called for votes on Vote No. 6. It was carried 26-0.

Vote for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

'Isileli Pulu commented on the escalation in the budget of the Ministry, it was $10 million in 2005-06, then it went up to $18 million last year and in the coming financial year it as gone up to $21.8 million. He said that the government's contribution to the budget is only $6.5, the balance $14.6 million comes from overseas donors.

He asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs to share his knowledge of how to get money from overseas for the other ministries to adopt.

Sunia Fili wanted to know how the $14.6 million is allocated to different development projects.

The Minister of Finance said that over $7 million is from the EU and it all goes for the development of Vava'u, and the rest is shared among other EU programs such as a National Focus program and the Stabex Fund.

The Chairman called for votes on the Vote of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. It was carried 27-0.

Vote No. 8 of the Tonga Defence Services

'Isileli Pulu wanted to know if there was a pension scheme specifically for the TDS, since they are part of the government Retirement Fund Scheme.

The Minister for Defence said that the king in the Defence Board had agreed for the TDS to negotiate with the Retirement Fund on the possibilities of the TDS being included the Retirement Fund Scheme.

'Akilisi Pohiva moved for the budget of the TDS to be reduced from $7 million to $5 million, and allocate the $2 million to another service that is more important than the TDS.

The Minister for Defence said that that was not a very wise comment that was made by the member, bearing in mind what happened on 16/11. He said that within a very short time after the Police sought help from the TDS by 9 pm that night on 16/11 the whole of Nuku'alofa was guarded by the TDS. He said that people from Kolomotu'a and Kolofo'ou had written and expressed their wishes for the Emergency Power to remain in force indefinitely because they still felt insecure.

Noble Tu'ipelehake told the committee that the cost encountered because of the destruction of Nuku'alofa would have been enough to keep the TDS running for 100 years.

'Akilisi Pohiva said it was important for government to be informed correctly. He queried the number of people from Kolomotu'a and Kolofo'ou who wrote in support for the continued enforcement of the Emergency Power Act.

Noble Tangipa told the member that he was still shaking with fear.

The Minister of Defence told the House that the events of 16/11 were history, the task on hand was to provide security and to maintain the freedom of the people to go about their daily lives freely.

'Akilisi insisted that the $7 million for the TDS was too much, he said it should be $5 million, and the $2 million should go toward technical training.

The Chairman called for votes on the TDS Vote, and it was carried 27-0.

Ministry of Lands

There was no debate on the vote of the Ministry of Lands. The Chairman called for votes and it was carried 27-0.

Vote No. 10 of the Judiciary

'Isileli Pulu wanted to know the salary of the Supreme Court judges.

Minister of Justice told the member that the salary of the Chief Justice is paid by New Zealand, and the other judge's salary is paid for by Australia.

Sunia Fili pointed that under the constitution, the salaries of judges are to be decided by the House.

Minister of Justice told the member that when Tonga pays the salaries then it is for the House to decide.

The Chairman called for votes on the budget of the judiciary. It was carried 27-0.

He also called for votes on the vote of the Ministry of Police. It was also carried 27-0.

Debate continued with Vote No. 12 of the Ministry of Education. Vote No. 12 was also passed with 27-0 votes.

Vote of the Ministry of Health was also passed 28-0.

Vote of the Ministry of Agriculture

'Isileli Pulu expressed his concern over a big drop in the allocation for Export Diversification Fund, which in the past used to be over $100,000 now it is only a token amount of $1.

The Chairman called for votes and it was carried 25-0.

Vote No. 15 of the Ministry of Labour, Commerce and Industries

(At this point of time it was nearly 10 pm and there was very little debate on votes.)

Vote No. 15 was carried 25-0.

Vote No. 16, Tourism attracted a few comments.

Clive Edwards wanted to know why the figures did not add up. He pointed out that the total was more than some of the allocations listed.

The Minister explained that the balance is the amount that he has to try and find from aid donors.

'Akilisi asked the minister that if he were successful then could he give $270,000 to the Tonga Rugby Union to send the 'Ikale Tahi to the Rugby World Cup.

Noble Lasike pointed out that the 'Ikale Tahi have been losing so many international matches.

Chairman called for votes. It was carried 27-0.

Vote No. 17 for the Ministry of Works was carried 27-0.

Vote No. 18 for the Ministry of Transport was carried 26-0.

Vote No. 19 for the Ministry for Vocational Training and Sports was carried 27-0.

Lumped together

The Chairman told the House that they had three votes left to deal with. He suggested that they vote on Votes No. 20, 21 and 22 altogether. He called for votes and the three votes were carried 26-0.

The Chairman called for votes on the total estimated budget. It was carried 26-0.

The Committee dissolved into Legislature and the Speaker took his Chair.

The Speaker called for the second and the third reading, and for the House to vote on the Appropriation Bill. It was carried in both readings, 26-0.

The Speaker called for the closure of the House until 9.30 am the following day.