From the House, an English translation summary from the Tongan vernacular, by Pesi Fonua.

Tonga Legislative Assembly, Minute No. 23, Tuesday August 28, 2007.

The clerk told the House that the Minister of Lands and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence were away overseas. The Governor of Ha'apai and Noble Tu'ipelehake had asked for a day off. Noble Tu'ilakepa and Sunia Fili were away to the APPU meeting in Palau, and those who did not no answer when he called out their names, were probably coming late. They were the Prime Minister, the Minister of Works, the Minister for Tourism, the Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation, a Noble's Representative, Lasike, and People's Representatives Clive Edwards, and 'Uliti Uata.

The House got into a flying start in the morning, and within one hour, in a fast sequence of readings and voting, it passed seven pieces of legislation. This was followed by debate in committee of the Emergency Management Bill 2007 and an Ordinance on Customs and Excise Duties, with debate just rattling along filling-in time, fakalelea filo pe.

The legislation passed in the Legislature was:

1. The Anti-Corruption Commissioner Bill 2007;

2. A Bill to Manage the Revenue Collection of Government 2002;

3. A Bill to Manage Government Finance 2002;

4. An Ordinance on Income Tax;

5. A Regulation on the Management of Tobacco 2006;

6. An Ordinance relating to Chapter 2 of the Constitution;

7. A Regulation on Emergency Power 2006.

When the Legislature dissolved into Committee, members debated on two bills, the Emergency Management Bill 2007 and an Ordinance on Customs and Excise Duties.

Protect people and property

The Emergency Management Bill 2007 is a move by government to activate a policy to protect people, their properties and other vital national assets essential for the economy and the environment of Tonga in the case of natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunami, epidemics, oil spills and even military invasion.

'Uliti Uata supported the Bill, but hoped that it was not going to be just another piece of legislation that is passed but it cannot be enforced.

'Akilisi Pohiva suggested that for a start government should not allow people to go and build in the swamp, in case of the sea level rising.

The Minister of Justice explained that the Bill will enable government to action a plan, but without a legislation nothing could be done.

The Bill was passed 20-0.

Royal Beer

The debate on the November 2006 Ordinance about Customs and Excise Duties gave 'Akilisi Pohiva and 'Isileli Pulu have a chance to hit at their favourite target, Royal Beer. They wanted to know who are the shareholders of Royal Beer and why Royal Beer was exempted from paying duties on its import of raw materials to make beer.

The move was very straight forward, according to the Minister of Finance. The Ordinance lifted the duties on the importation of raw materials to manufacture cigarettes, hard liquor and beer. Then once the products are made, government slams on the Excise Duty, and government will recover its revenue.

But the PRs wanted to know more about the ownership of Royal Beer, and the foundation that they said owns 50% of the shares of Royal Beer.

The Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries said that the concern over the ownership of Royal Beer was unrelated to Excise Duty. He said that he had already provided the information that the PRs wanted to know about Royal Beer, the Foundation was no longer a shareholder of Royal Beer nor was the king.

'Akilisi move the Ordinance to be withdrawn, and that for all companies in Tonga to be exempt from paying customs duties but to pay excise duties. It was rejected 6-10. For it were 'Akilisi Pohiva, 'Isileli Pulu, Vili Helu, 'Uliti Uata, Lepolo Taunisila Lepolo and Samiu Vaipulu.

The Chairman called for vote on a motion by 'Uliti Uata for the Ordinance to be rejected. The motion was rejected 6-10.

The Ordinance was passed.