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

Tonga Legislative Assembly, Minute No. 1, Monday June 2, 2008.

The Speaker of the Tongan Legislative Assembly, Hon. Tu'ilakepa welcomed members to their first sitting of the Tongan Parliament for 2008.

He led the House in prayer then proceeded with the working agenda that had been distributed.

The Prime Minister Hon. Feleti Sevele told the House that their first engagement should be the swearing in of new members.

The Speaker called on the new People's Representatives for the Niuas, and Vava'u, and the two new Noble's Representatives for Tongatapu to come forward. He also called the Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries, and the Minister of Justice to come forward to witness the swearing in.

The new Noble's Representatives and a People's Representative for Ha'apai were not present and will be sworn in later.

The Clerk made the first roll call of the House -

Prime Minister - Dr Feleti Sevele

Deputy Prime Minister - Dr Viliami Tangi

Minister for land and Survey - Noble Tuita

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence - S. Tu'akinamolahi Tupou.

Minister of Police - Siaosi T. 'Aho

Minister of Education - Dr Tevita Palefau

Minister of Youth and Sports - Noble Tu'ivakano

Minister of Work - Noble Nuku

The Attorney General and the Minister of Law - 'Alisi V. Taumoepeau

Minister of Tourism - Fineasi Funaki

Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation - Paul D. Karalus

Minister of Commerce and Labour - Lisiate A. 'Akolo

Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises - Afu'alo Matoto

The Governor of Ha'apai - Noble Malupo

Nobles' Representatives:

No. 1 for Tongatapu - Noble Fielakepa

No. 2 for Tongatapu - Noble Ma'afu Tukui'aulahi

No. 3 for Tongatapu - Noble Fohe

No. 2 for Vava'u - Noble Luani

No. 1 for Ha'apai - Noble Havea Tu'iha'ateiho

No. 2 for Ha'apai - Noble Tu'ipelehake

Noble representative for 'Eua - Noble Lasike

Noble representative for the Niuas - Noble Tangipa

People's Representatives

Tongatapu No. 1 - 'Akilisi Pohiva

Tongatapu No. 2 - 'Isileli Pulu

Tongatapu No. 3 - Clive Edwards

Vava'u No. 1 - 'Etuate Lavulavu

Vava'u No. 2 - Samiu Vaipulu

Ha'apai No. 1 - 'Uliti Uata

Ha'apai No. 2 - Teisina Fuko

People's Representative for 'Eua - Sunia Fili

People's Representative for the Niuas - Sione 'Iloa.

The clerk said that members who did not answer their calls were probably coming late, excepting for 'Akilisi Pohiva who was returning from overseas.

The Speaker said that if there was any amendment to their letter of reply to Princess Regent's speech from the Throne in the opening of parliament then it should be raised in the Whole House Committee.

He called for nominations for a new Chairman of the Whole House Committee.

'Etuate Lavulavu nominated the Vava'u No. 2 People's Representative, Samiu Vaipulu.

The Governor of Ha'apai, Noble Malupo nominated Noble Fielakepa; and Sunia Fili nominated Noble Lasike.

Noble Fielakepa declined his nomination so the Speaker called for votes on the two nominations, Samiu Vaipulu and Noble Lasike.

For Lasike were seven: 'Isileli Pulu, Clive Edwards, Sunia Fili, Ma'afu, Fohe, Fielakepa and the Governor of Ha'apai.

For Samiu Vaipulu were 16: 'Etuate Lavulavu, Feingatau 'Iloa, Minister of Commerce and Labour, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Minister of Tourism, Minister of Education, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence, the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Police, Minister for Youth and Sports, the Attorney General and the Minister of Law, Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Noble Tu'iha'ateiho and Noble Luani.

The selection of Samiu Vaipulu as the new Chairman of the Whole House Committee, is historical because it is the first time ever for the House to elected a commoner to be the Chairman of the Whole House Committee, a position that has been traditionally held by a noble. On occasions a People's Representative was made an Acting Chairman, but never before that the majority of the Cabinet Ministers overwhelmingly voted for a commoner to be Chairman.

The House's reply to the Speech from the Throne, was read by a committee chairman. It was approved by 28 members of the House, and the Speaker nominated Luani and the Tu'iha'ateiho to deliver their letter of response to the Princess Regent.

The House was adjourned until 9.30 am the following day. Following this, there has been no minute of proceedings issued from parliament since June 2.

Today, June 5, the Vava'u No. 1 People's Representative 'Etuate Lavulavu, in a Press Conference, said that the House would not convene until June 16, giving members time to study the Budget.