The Tongan Parliament has this week taken a first step toward changing the political system of Tonga, with the introduction of a Bill to establish a new commission whose task is to make recommendations for political change with a first report to be ready before the end of the year.

A Bill for an Act to establish a Commission to make Recommendations and to Produce Draft Legislation to Change Tonga's Political System had its first and second reading in the House this week, said the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice, Hon. 'Alisi Taumoepeau this morning, June 20.

'Alisi told a press conference that the bill is among budgetary-related legislation that has been presented to the House, and must be passed before the beginning of the new financial year on July 1.

'Alisi said that once the Bill was enacted and the Commission was established, it had a very tight working schedule to get everything done within the next 10 months. She said that the Commission's report must be ready to be presented to parliament next year.

Four members

The Commission is to have four members. The Legislative Assembly and the Cabinet are to appoint a candidate each, and the Judiciary Services Commission (JSC) is to appoint two candidates. The JSC is an entity that was established in 2006, to be responsible for the appointing of judges and staff of the judiciary.

'Alisi said that because members should have a good knowledge of the law, it was thought it would be most appropriate for the JSC to appoint two candidates. The names of the four candidates will then go before King in Privy Council for their official appointment.

The members of the Commission cannot be a member of the Legislative Assembly, the Cabinet or the Judiciary Services Commission.

Commissioners

The Commissioners will hold office until three months after the submission of their final report.

Under the Bill, the Commission will have a secretariat, to be managed by a director.

The working schedule of the Commission has been clearly stated:
 

• Within 10 days of appointment of members, the commission is to meet and a director of the secretariat will be appointed.
• Within five months of appointment, a report and interim recommendations are to be delivered to Cabinet and the Legislative Assembly.
• Within seven months of appointment, if the Commission decides to convene a Constitutional Convention, such convention is to be held.
• Within 10 months of appointment, a report and final recommendations are to be delivered to Cabinet and the Legislative Assembly.

'Alisi said that the Commission is financed from the vote of the Prime Minister's Office.