From the House by Pesi Fonua

$2 million pa'anga of taxpayers money was allocated as pocket money to 17 People's Representatives this week, to spend on their annual national tour of constituencies.

The $2 million allocation under Sub Program 4-Development Committee for the 2012-13 financial year is a $300,000 increase from the $1.7 million they took in the previous budget.

This means that the 17 People's Representatives will each have $117,647 in their pockets next week from a fund that was set up, apparently, to help them reimburse their constituents for the welcome and food provided when MPs visit.

The multi-million pa'anga allocation comes from what is called a "Constituents Fund" in the vote of the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

The reason why it stirred the most lively debate on the 2012-13 National Budget in parliament on Monday, June 25 was not because of any misgivings over helping themselves in the national budget, but because the Ministers of Health and Finance wanted large increases in the handout this year, and the Noble's Representatives raised their hands because they felt left out.

To make things even more outrageous was the fact that the Minister of Finance Lisiate 'Akolo said that the increased amount of $300,000 was going to be divided between himself and 'Uliti Uata, [who at that point was still the Minister of Health], because they wrote and asked Cabinet for the increase to meet the special needs of their constituents in the outer islands of Vava'u and Ha'apai.

The House then had to deal with a question that if People's Representatives were given such a generous slush fund for undesignated purposes, what about the other members of parliament?

A Nobles' Representative for Vava'u, Lord Tu'ilakepa, told the House that he believed the PRs were using the money as campaign funds for the next election. He said that as a hereditary community leader he found himself in an embarrassing situation during a previous national tour, because while the PRs had money to throw around, he was empty handed when approached by his people for assistance. He moved that if the PRs were given such generous pocket money the Nobles members should be given some as well. He moved for the Minister of Finance to find  $900,000 for the nine Nobles' Representatives.

'Isileli Pulu [who was, at that point, still the Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries], objected to the claim that PRs were using the taxpayers money to campaign for the next election. He said that the money was used to fund community projects that they had initiated in their constituencies. He believed that the formula for this year's allocation was "not fair". He praised the former Minister of Finance for giving the PRs $100,000 each, but he wanted more, and argued that the increased allocation of $2 million should be shared equally among the 17 PRs.

The Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano expressed his dismay over how the fund had increased and how it had been spent. He reminded members that he introduced the fund when he was a Speaker, and it was not intended to take over government's community development programs. He said that it was originally intended to be a token reward for the effort that people in the rural areas made to prepare food and to welcome members of parliament. He reminded members that the Tongan economy remained in a depressed situation.

Homeless people

The Minister of Justice, Hon. Clive Edwards was not supportive of the Constituents Fund ideal, and more specifically with the $300,000 increase for the rural constituencies of Vava'u and Ha'apai. He pointed out that there are people who are living on the fringes of Nuku'alofa who are very poor, and who do not have homes. He said that people in the outer islands had homes and a healthier environment to live in. He called for the Constituents Fund idea to be reviewed.

Lisiate remarked that the Minister would not understand it, because Clive was not elected by the people.

The Speaker objected to the personal comment.

After arguing over the Constituents Fund, which a majority of the House supported, motions were presented to the House for the $2 million to be shared equally among the 17 PRs, and for the Minister of Finance to find $900,000 for the Nobles' Representatives.

The Minister of Land and Natural Resources, Hon. Ma'afu moved to withdraw the motion for the Minister of Finance to find $900,000 for the Nobles' Representatives. He supported the move by Hon. Clive Edwards for the House to review the Constituents Fund for the People's Representatives.

The Minister of Finance, Hon. Lisiate 'Akolo withdrew his proposal for the additional $300,000 to be divided between himself and 'Uliti Uata.

'Uliti disagreed with Lisiate withdrawing the proposal to allocate themselves $250,000 (a quarter of a million pa'anga) each, while the other 15 People's Representatives would have $100,000 each.

When the Speaker called for votes on a motion for the $2 million to be shared equally among the 17 PRs it was carried 19-0.

$2 million divided by 17 is a hand out of $117,647.06 each (give or take a couple of seniti).

The House was united. The Vote for the Ministry of Finance and National Planning and the Appropriation Act was passed with a vote of 26-0.

No Confidence

During Monday's debate the People's Representatives made it clear that they did not want to hear accusations that they were using taxpayers money to campaign for the next election, or that by spending the pocket money on community projects of their own choice that they were clashing with the national development plans of the government and aid donors.

However, the members, who are anticipating the handouts, will not be engaged in community projects next week, because at Thursday's sitting it was decided they would come back to the House.

Yesterday the Speaker cancelled the two week's annual tour so that on Monday July 2 the House could debate a Motion of No Confidence in the Prime Minister.

So on Monday July 2 it is quite likely that the House might not have to time to consider whether or not the Members should still take the $2 million handout in view of the fact that the  Annual National Tour of Constituencies has been cancelled.