From the House by Pesi Fonua

The Tongan Legislature met for the start of its 2005 session on Monday May 30. Its working agenda for the day included the swearing in of new members, the appointment of a new Chairman of the Whole House Committee, and the reading and debating on the first draft of a letter replying to the King's message from the Throne when he opened parliament on May 26.

It was probably the first time for so many members of the House to be sworn in, a total of 14 new members:

1. Noble Tu'ivakano, the Hon. Minister of Works,

2. Noble Nuku, the Hon. Minister of Police,

3. Dr Feleti Sevele, the Hon. Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries,

4. Sione Peauafi Haukinima, the Hon. Minister of Forestry,

5. Hon. 'Ahome'e, the No. 3 Nobles Representative for Tongatapu,

6. Hon. Lasike, the Nobles Representative for 'Eua.

7. Hon. Tu'ilakepa, the No. 2 Nobles Representative for Vava'u.

8. Hon. Tu'iha'ateiho, the No. 2 Nobles Representative for Ha'apai.

9. Hon. Tangipa, the Nobles Representative for Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou.

10. Clive Edwards, the No. 3 Tongatapu People's Representative.

11. Samiu Kuita Vaipulu, the No. 1 Vava'u People's Representative.

12. Vili Kaufusi Helu, the No. 2 Vava'u People's Representative.

13. Lepolo Mahe Taunisila, the Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou People's Representative.

14. Hon. Veikune, the Speaker of the House and the No. 1 Vava'u Nobles Representative.

A draft copy of the letter of reply to the King's Speech from the throne was read, but it could be debated only by the House in the Whole House Committee, so Sunia Fili moved for the election of a Chairman for the Whole House Committee.

Clive Edwards nominated Samiu Vaipulu as a candidate. The Governor for Ha'apai, Noble Malupo, nominated the Noble Tu'iha'angana. The Speaker called for votes and 21 voted for Noble Tu'iha'angana and only two voted for Samiu Vaipulu (Clive Edwards and Vili Helu).

The chairman took his seat and debate started on the Letter of Reply to HM.

Clive said that information was usually given to the King from the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Finance while he was preparing his speech. He said that in 2000 an American, John Myers was brought to Cabinet, where he promised a gift of $US500 million (which was $1 billion pa'anga), and was questioned where he was going to get the money from, and if it was dirty money. Clive said that the American left and they never saw him again.

Clive suggested for the part of the letter of reply to HM's speech from the throne, referring to the $1 billion, be deleted from the letter because although the King included it in his speech but it was false information and it would do a lot of damage to His Majesty's image.

There was another motion from Tu'ilakepa for the reply letter to remain as it was.

The Chairman called for votes on Clive's motion to delete paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4.

For it were 'Akilisi Pohiva, Clive Edwards, Samiu Vaipulu and Vili Helu. Against were the rest of the members, who defeated the motiion.

The Chairman called for votes on the Tu'ilakepa's motion and it was carried with 23 votes. Against were 'Akillisi Pohiva and Vili Helu.