Results for From the House

A heated discussion between members of the parliament, over a request of endorsement from REALTonga Airlines went nowhere in the House on Monday 6 February.

The working relationship between the Tongan Parliament and Government became stranded as members of parliament engaged in a debate over a Petition from the Tonga National Construction Inc., urging Parliament to increase the budget estimation provided by the government’s Project Management Unit for the Tsunami House Reconstruction Project. The House thought they were running out of time as they were expecting to close their session on 8 December, but that was not to be. From the House by Pesi Fonua

Tonga’s National Budget of $589.6 million pa’anga for 2020-2021 is the biggest deficit ever of $60 million, the Minister of Finance, Hon. Tevita Lavemaau told parliament this morning. From the House by Pesi Fonua.

After a late start, Parliament closed early yesterday, Monday March 18, while the House was in a deadlock over a demand by the Acting Speaker Lord Tu‘ilakepa for the Prime Minister to explain why the six Bills he had tabled into parliament were urgent.

The Tongan Parliament degenerated to a one-party political system yesterday afternoon, 12 March, when the only Members left in the House were Cabinet Ministers and their supporters, after the Noble's Representatives walked out, along with three People's Representatives, Tevita Lavemaau, Siaosi Sovaleni and Samiu Vaipulu.

If Parliament’s most urgent task at the close of its first day, Monday, was the passing of a new Foreign Investment Bill 2019 in order to release $35 million in current Budget Support from donors, then other matters on the work agenda might have been expected to be put aside when the House reconvened. However, on Tuesday morning the issue of the Tonga cable black-out at the end of January occupied the attention of the House. From the House, by Pesi Fonua.

Tonga's Prime Minister Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva told parliament today that the House was "trespassing on authority" in their attempts to dismiss him. The Tongan Parliament rejected the Motion for a Vote of No Confidence in the Prime Minister Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva with votes of 14-10 this afternoon, Monday 27 February. All members of parliament were present today, except for a time when the PM and four Cabinet Ministers left the House for an audience with the King. From the House by Pesi Fonua.

The Tongan Parliament resumed its 2016 session yesterday morning October 3, amid disarray. Apparent procedural inefficiencies wasted much of the day. Firstly, a letter protesting against a Bill for a Water Resources Act was read even before the Bill was read in the House. Then legislators spent over an hour listening to motions from one member, even though the Legisture had already voted on and decided for the motions to be lowered into the Whole House Committee. From the House by Pesi Fonua.

The sudden withdrawal by Cabinet Ministers of two Bills that were top of agenda of the House when it opened on 15 August has aroused concern over the law making process of government. From the House, by Pesi Fonua.