Tonga's High Commissioner to Australia, HRH Crown Prince Tupouto'a-Lavaka today presented a donation of AUD$100,000 toward a relief fund for victims of the devastating bush fires in Victoria, and the flooding in Northern Queensland.

HRH Crown Prince Tupouto'a-Lavaka made the presentation at the Office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs at Parliament Housr, Canberra this morning, February 27.

Tonga's Relief Fund contribution was accompanied with a Letter of Condolence from the Tongan Prime Minister, Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele to the Prime Minister of Australia.

The Tongan High Commission in Canberra stated that the letter extended, "heartfelt sympathies to the hundreds of families who have lost loved ones and the thousands who have lost their homes and properties in these disasters. . . the Government and the people of Tonga pray that Almighty God grant them peace and strength in these troubled times."

While the Crown Prince was at Parliament House he formally conveyed the Government of Tonga's support for Australia's candidacy for a Non-Permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2013-14, which will be determined during the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2012.