TONGA'S fledgling Members of Parliament are undertaking an intensive one-week workshop in Nuku'alofa aimed at equipping them with the knowledge on the workings of the Tonga Legislative so they could carry out their job as legislators more effectively.

An opening ceremony was held for the Parliamentary Awareness and Leadership workshop on January 31 at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre attended by 19 of the 26 Members of Parliament, including the Speaker of the House Lord Lasike, Deputy Speaker Lord Tu'i'afitu, the Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano and Deputy Prime Minister Hon Samiu Vaipulu.

Also present were the Minister of Training, Employment, Youth and Sports Hon Fe'ao Vakata, the Minister of Education, Women's Affairs and Culture Hon 'Ana Taufe'ulungaki, the Minister of Police Hon Dr Viliami Latu, the Minister of Tourism 'Isileli Pulu, the Minister of Health Hon 'Uliti Uata, and the Minister of Labour and Commerce Hon Lisiate 'Akolo.

Nobles' representatives included Lord Tu'iha'ateiho, Lord Fusitu'a with People's Representatives 'Akilisi Pohiva, Sifa Tu'utafaiva, Sione Taione, Sangstar Sauala, Semisi Tapueluelu and Semisi Sika.

The workshop is the first after the November 25 parliamentary election and runs from January 31 to February 4 covering a wide range of topics looking into the workings of the Tonga Legislative Assembly from its law making process, sources of law, rules of proceedings and standing orders, and a breakdown of the 2010 Reforms.

Awareness

The Speaker Lord Lasike in his keynote address said the workshop is unique since its marked the start of his office's efforts to strengthen the services provided by the parliament to the people.

He said this training was important because it would generate awareness among the members of parliament and staff on key legislations and rules of the Tonga Legislative Assembly.

This event also marked the first year under Tonga's new political system and he and would lead to better interaction of parliament and its standing committees, office, regional and international agencies, media and NGOs and the people in general.

"Remember we are representatives of the people and will be held accountable for the decisions and actions we take while discharging our parliamentary responsibilities. There is an onus on us as parliamentarians to work together and this forum proves an opportunity to do that," he said.

UNDP

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Deputy Resident
Representative Mr Toily Kurbanov commended Lord Lasike for convening the Parliamentary Awareness and Leadership Workshop at the very beginning of his term as Speaker.

He said the workshop aimed to strengthen the Assembly's capacity by equipping the Speaker, its members, with the knowledge required to discharge their legislative, oversight, and representational duties effectively.

Notable facilitators conducting the workshop from around the region and other countries include Hon Lyonpo Jigme Tshultim the Speaker of the Bhutan Parliament, Sir Peter Kenilorea former Prime Minister and former Speaker of the Solomon Islands Parliament, Debra Angus Deputy Clerk NZ Parliament, Mr Cleaver Elliot Deputy Clerk of the Senate of the Parliament of Australia, Dr Malakai Koloamatangi Head of Pacific Studies Canterbury University as well as local facilitators.

The workshop is organised by the Legislative Assembly of Tonga with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Australia), New Zealand Parliament, Commonwealth Pacific Governance Facility and AusAID.