From the House, a translation and summary of the Tonga Parliamentary Minutes. By Pesi Fonua.

On their first day of sitting after the opening of parliament the House pledged its support to the king in a Letter of Reply to the Speech from the Throne. After that all the members received $2000 laptops, but some members complained that they didn't know how to use computers. The Prime Minister adjourned the sitting so they could all go and whine outside.

Tonga Legislative Assembly, Minute No. 4, Tuesday, 7 June 2011

The Speaker, Lord Lasike called for prayer, which was lead by the Deputy Speaker, Lord Tu'i'afitu.

The Clerk of the House Sione Tekiteki made the Roll Call.

The Minister of Police, Dr Viliami Latu, and the Minister for Public Enterprises, Clive Edwards, were not present, they were on overseas trips. Lord Tu'ilakepa had requested to be away at 10 am. It was believed that the members who did not answer their call were coming late.

The Speaker pointed out to the Clerk that the Minister of Tourism was just coming in.

Lord Tu'ilakepa who was present reminded the Clerk that he answered his name at Roll Call.

The Speaker reminded the House that their first most important task was to reply to the message from the Throne at the opening of parliament. Copies of a reply had been distributed and, if approved, two members would deliver it to the king.

People's Representative, Sione Sangster Saulala, queried if the reply was just a formality or was it supposed to express their real feeling? If it was intended to express their real feeling then it should be presented to the Whole House Committee for discussion.

Minister of Finance, Sunia Fili, proposed for the reply to be read.

The Clerk read the letter -

"Your Majesty,

"The House thanks God that the king is still in good health, and the Monarch is still in control of the affairs of the country. The House and the country was blessed with the presence of His Majesty at the opening.

"The House was so thankful that His Majesty has given the members and the House the authority to adjust the political reform program as they see fit. We are in full support of the attempt to protect the independence of the judiciary and the judges in accordance with the Constitution. We are in full support of your foresightedness in enlightening the House of the importance for government and the people to work together to build up the political life, economy, culture and our spiritual life.

"We thank god for the assistance to Tonga from donor countries. We hope that the blessing of god will be with you as you are leading our country. May the love of God be with you and with Tonga for ever.

"Your gracious from the bottom of our hearts.

"Lord Lasike, Speaker of the Tongan Parliament."

The Legislature was dissolved into the Whole House Committee for debate on the Letter of Reply to the King’s Speech from the Throne.

The Chairman of the Whole House Committee, Siosifa Tu'utafaiva took his chair.

People's Representative, Sangster Saulala, disagreed with the expression that they whole-heartedly support the appointment of a Lord Chancellor, who would secure the independent of the judiciary. He said that the appointment of a Lord Chancellor should be with the executive.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Samiu Vaipulu, reminded members that the House had passed the legislation, and one of the most fundamental beliefs of democracy is an independent judiciary and that was why they decided to give it to the king, instead of to parliament where it would be politicised.

The Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries, Lisiate 'Akolo, said that Sangster would be happy if they would substitute the word Tulifua with Tukupa. "Tulifua" literally means trying to keep up with whereas “Tukupa" means that we are in full support.

Sangster thanked the Minister. He agreed "Tukupa" was better than "Tulifua".

The Chairman called for votes and "Tukupa" won with 15.

The Chairman called for votes on "Ngaue" instead of "Tulifua".

"Ngaue" won with 7.

The chairman dissolved the Committee into Legislature.

The Speaker called on the Deputy Speaker, Lord Tu'i'afitu and the Tongatapu People's Representative no. 10, Semisi Tapueluelu, to deliver the letter to His Majesty.

The Speaker told members that what they had in front of them were laptop computers to help them with their work, particularly to access legislations and parliamentary minutes. If a member lost his or her laptop they had to reimburse the House $2000.

People's Representative, 'Akilisi Pohiva, expressed his concern over missing properties from the House. He said the House was given 10 motorbikes last year, yet there were none around. There were 100 green chairs and all had disappeared. He said that this was a new government and he suggested for the Speaker to send someone to show them how to use the laptops.

The Minister of Agriculture, Lord Vaea, pleaded with the Speaker that he still would like to have hard copies rather then to access information on his laptop.

The Speaker reminded the minister that the laptop was primarily only to access legislation and minutes.

With regards to the missing motorbikes and chairs, he said those were under the former Speaker and he did not know anything about them.

The Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivanako suggested for the House to postpone until the afternoon to allow the two members to deliver the letter to the king. He expressed his concern that they were lowering the status of the House with their carrying-on, which was similar to what is happening in a kava drinking party. He said that if they wanted to have a whine then should just all go outside instead of doing it in the House.

The Speaker said that the Prime Minister was right, so he postponed parliament until 2 pm.