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

Tonga Legislative Assembly, Minute No. 30, Monday October 29, 2007. Final Minute for the 2007 session.

The House resumed after several weeks of recess, first to enable government to prepare and to host the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in mid-October, and then to enable members to attend the 125th anniversary celebration of Tonga College at the end of October.

The day's working agenda was a "carrot on a stick" approach.

The carrot was for the House to accept an invitation letter from the Chinese Ambassador inviting eight members on an official visit to China during the middle of November 2007.

The purpose of the visit was to strengthen the working relationship between the parliaments of the two countries. The eight-member delegation included the Speaker and his wife, and his secretary.

The House accepted the invitation with 21-0 votes.

The Speaker hand-picked the five-members delegation to China to include: the Nobles Luani, and Tangipa, People's Representatives, 'Uliti Uata and Samiu Vaipulu, and the Governor of Ha'apai Noble Malupo.

Closing of Parliament

The Speaker then announced that the HM King George Tupou V had agreed to close parliament on Thursday November 1.

With the House closing in three days time, and with some People's Representatives disagreeing with the decision of the House for elections to take place next year under the current electoral system, and for political reform to be introduced in 2010 once legislations are amended and procedures finalised, they were eager to continue lashing out at government ministers.

Cabinet appointments

'Isilelli Pulu wanted to know what would happen to the current reform process that was introduced by the late King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, whereby four Cabinet Ministers were appointed from the elected from the People's Representatives and Noble's Representatives on the understanding that they would stand for election in the next election.

Clive Edwards said that government promised that the elected members who became Cabinet Ministers were to stand for election after their three years' term.

Samiu Vaipulu also stressed that the move was hailed as the beginning of a political reform, a move that government had not officially changed.


The Minister of Justice reminded the PRs that the decision by the king to appoint Cabinet Ministers from elected members was his own decision and it was made without amending the Constitution or any other legislation.

The Governor of Ha'apai queried if the House had any right to debate over the constitutional right of the king to appoint ministers.

Noble Tu'ipelehake said that the move was an experiment, and the reform was what the House has agreed for to take place in 2010.

The Minister of Police said that the issue that was more important for them to talk about was the fact that after the House passed a decision for the reform to take place in 2010, the PRs went out and held meeting for the reform to take place next year. He said that it raised an issue of contempt of parliament and that was what the House should be concerned about.

'Uliti Uata said that the government was hiding behind the laws.

The Prime Minister asked the Speaker to stop the member from making silly comments. He believed there was contempt of parliamentary proceeding by the PRs who, after the House had agreed for the reform to take place in 2010, had gone out and encouraged the people to demand for the reform to take place next year.

'Akilisi Pohiva said that the people disagreed with the decision of the House and did not respect the vote of the House because it was unfair and he supported that view, and said "therefore that in our view we do not respect that decision."

The Minister for Foreign Affairs reminded the House that the democratic reform would take place in 2010, and that the election next year would be in accordance with the Constitution as it is now.

Meat imports

After lunch a letter of petition signed by 1,013 Tongans who live in New Zealand expressing their opposition to a restriction imposed by the Tonga Quarantine Depart on the importation of meat from New Zealand.

There was a long debate over the petition. The Prime Minister pointed out that there were no new restrictions imposed, they were just re-enforcing existing regulations.

The Chairman called for votes for the House to recognise the concern expressed in the petition. It was carried 18-0.

Political Reform

Back to the issue political reform Sunia Fili suggested for the Tripartite Committee to continue even after the parliament closed.

The Speaker said there was no need for a Tripartite Commitee, the House has made its decision for the reform to take place in 2010, and the members who will be elected next year will decide if to elect a new tripartite committee or not.

'Akilisi Pohiva suggested that the country should have a referendum on the issue of reform next year or 2010.

The Minister for Tourism did not think a referendum was a good idea because Tonga had always been ruled through consensus, and a referendum would always leave an unhappy minority group on the side.

Noble Tu'ilakepa did not support an earlier suggestion for the Tripartite Committee to continue to meet once the House was closed. He said that that would be a waste of money.

Confessions

After afternoon tea members got into what they referred to as "Talaloto" or confession. Basically each asked for the other for forgiveness for any bad behaviour or bad language.

Outstanding among some of these confessions was the one by Noble Tu'ipelehake. He said he did not vote in favour for the reform to take place in 2010. He said that the real wishes of the people had not been made known, they talked about rights and freedom but it was hard for them to tell really what is in their hearts. He said that the real reform was for each member to renew his conscience. He said he felt that some members no longer believed in the strength of prayer.

He said that the wishes of the people were united on one thing and that was against the members 60% salary rise. He for that the new members who would be elected into the House next year should cut the salaries of members and to do the right thing and receive their salaries after they worked for it. He said that until that is done the reform of 2010 would not be of any good.

The Prime Minister thanked the Speaker for his guidance of the proceeding of the House. He said that members were privileged to be in the House at this point of time to decide the future of the country. He said that Cabinet Ministers were picked and they accepted the challenge and have carried out their duties for the well being of the whole country.

He gave his best wishes to members and reassured them that they are living in a secure, abundant and free country, and if we continued to value those things Tonga would prosper and the people would be happy.

The Speaker thanked the members for their hard work during the year and wished them a Merry Christmas and for the elected members all the best for the parliamentary election next year.