March 5-11, 2005

The front pages of the newspapers published in Tonga this week have been dominated by stories coming from the campaign messages of the incumbent People's Representatives for Tongatapu - ...‘Akilisi Pohiva, Feleti Sevele and ...‘Isileli Pulu.

The only exception being the government's newspaper the Kalonikali Tonga, which featured a photograph of Princess Pilolevu accepting a gift of go-carts for a new amusement park in Nuku'alofa.

Taimi ...‘o Tonga

The front page of the New Zealand-based Taimi ...‘o Tonga of Tuesday March 8, featured comment by ...‘Isileli Pulu on a rumour that government was going to increase the basic salaries of Cabinet Ministers to $100,000 per annum. ...‘Isileli was reported as saying that if it was true that government was going to increase the salaries of Ministers then government should also increase the 5% rise it promised the rest of the public servants. ...‘Isileli pointed out a number of sources where the money could be raised.

Kele...’a

The front page of theKele...’a of Thursday, March 9, ran a headline, "Parliament is shaking down the Tava tree".

The Kele'a attributed a reliable source (obviously ...‘Akilisi Pohiva), giving information about trips overseas to attend meetings and conferences by the Speaker, the Clerk of the House and other staff members since parliament was closed in November. It went on about how much was spent on airlines tickets and on per diems. It also said that there were discrepancies over the dates of departures and arrivals. The Kele'a called for the accounts of the House to be audited properly.

Another headline on the front page of the Kele'a concerned ...‘Akilisi...’s reply to Futa Helu. There is a picture of ...‘Akilisi, who is replying to comments made by Futa in the Talaki that the three Tongatapu incumbent People's Representatives, ...‘Akilisi, Feleti and ...‘Isileli should not be re-elected.

Talaki

The Talaki front page headline for Wednesday March 9 read, "Futa no longer supports ...‘Akilisi and the others"

It reports that Futa, a long standing supporter of the move for democratic change in Tonga, had said that after all these years, ...‘Akilisi and the so-called democratic members of parliament had achieved zero for the people. He said that the members should have taken Shoreline to court, but so far nothing had been done.

Futa was reported as saying that these democratic members are more concerned with business and all they are doing in the House was to advance their business interests. He thought that incumbent members should not be re-elected into the House.

Kalonikali Tonga

Typically, the Kalonikali Tonga, of

Thursday March 10, featured on its front page a photo of the Tongan Royal Family, this time with Princess Pilolevu and her grand-daughter, Hon ...‘Anaseini riding a go-cart that was given to her by Loupua Maile, on March 4.

Loupua imported 10 go-carts from China to launch a project, the establishment of an amusement part for children, driving around on go-carts. Loupua said he has been working on the project since 1993.

The go-carts will be available to be used by children at 4 pm every Friday at the Talamahu Market in Nuku'alofa.