After the roll call they're off "to study the Budget" [1]
Thursday, June 5, 2008 - 22:30. Updated on Sunday, April 20, 2014 - 19:59.
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.