From the House, an English translation summary from the Tongan vernacular, by Pesi Fonua.

Tonga Legislative Assembly, Minute No. 13, Tuesday 23 June 2009.

Highlights:

- Latest on Swine Flu.

- Members of the Royal Land Commission.

Roll call

The Acting Speaker of the House, Noble Tu'iha'angana led the morning prayer.

The clerk told the Speaker that the Minister of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources was away overseas, and Noble Luani and 'Isileli Pulu were on leave of absence, and the rest of the members, he presumed, were coming late.

The Speaker told the House that they had eight more votes to deal with.

Swine Flu

The Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Health gave the House the latest on Swine Flu. He said that the flu had spread to 100 countries and over 52,000 people had been infected and 231 people had died. He said that in the Pacific, two cases had been reported in Fiji, and one each in Tahiti, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. In New Zealand 303 people had been infected, and 2,436 in Australia. There also had been one death in Australia.

Fisheries

The Speaker dissolved the Legislature into Committee and the chairman of the Committee took his chair.

He called for proceeding to start on Vote No. 14 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Noble Lasike expressed his concern that most of the companies that export Sea Cucumber were lowering their prices, excepting for one company.

People's Representative 'Akilisi Pohiva, expressed his concern over the work of the Royal Land Commission, particularly since there were no Tongans in the commission.

The Governor of Ha'apai reminded the member of a petition he presented to the House to amend the Land Act. He wondered if the member had changed his view on the land issue.

The Minister of Communication, 'Eseta Fusitu'a expressed her concern over the member's spreading of false information. She said that he was lying when he said that there was no Tongans in the Royal Land Commission.

'Akilisi apologized, and said that there were only three foreigners in the commission.

The Prime Minister Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele told the member to tell the truth, that the three commissioners were Tongans, Noble Fielakepa, Lord Tevita Tupou and Kahu Afeaki.

PR 'Etuate Lavulavu expressed his concern over the ineffectiveness of the women's division of the Ministry, unlike the women's division of the Ministry of Education who appeared to be politically motivated. He wondered why government does not build community weaving houses for village women.

The Minister of Education told the House that he was responsible for women's affairs. He said there had been workshops in the villages teaching women how to fill forms to apply for assistance.

The chairman declared Vote 14 completed and the proceeding move on to Vote No. 17.

Noble Tu'iha'angana said that a motion resolution, accompanying Vote No. 17 was still being prepared and it would be tabled later once it was completed.

Transport

The chairman called for the committee to proceed with Vote No. 18, of the Ministry of Transport.

'Akilisi expressed his concern over the reliance of some government ministries on foreign aid to finance their development projects. He pointed out that $9 million of the $12 million vote of the ministry was aid funding.

The Minister of Communication reminded the member that that was normal for developing countries to receive assistance from more developed countries.

The Governor of Ha'apai expressed his concern over how the warrant of fitness for vehicles were issued without the vehicle being checked or taken for a test run.

'Etuate suggested for government to set the airfares and the fares for ferries.

The Minister of Labour, Commerce and industries did not think it was good practice for government to interfere with private businesses.

The House was closed until 6 pm.