Results for parliament

A golden opportunity seems to be intentionally flushed down the drain. As our Parliament closed for the year, it is sickening to read about the charges and counter charges by both sides of the aisle. Of all the issues that are crucial to the kingdom, personal vendetta seems more important than setting the foundation for the Year 2010 political change. If there is corruption in Parliament, it is the corruption of broken promises during the election campaign; the corruption of leading the public to believe they have a plan regarding transition to democracy, yet they have none; the corruption of giving themselves a huge pay increase without blinking an eye and still call it pitiful compensation. - Tama Foa

A workshop on "Parliament and the Media" held in Tonga this week called on the Tongan government to draft and enact a Freedom of Information Act "as a matter of priority". It also highlighted the need for the relationship between Government, Parliament and the Media to be taken into account during the political reform process, and urged the Speaker to make provision of media and public gallery and broadcast facilities in parliament. By Pesi Fonua.

Only 38% (less than half) of the registered voters of Tongatapu cast votes in this past election. The country is going to be guided by the minority, a democracy by the few and for the fewer. - Mafi ‘o Amerika Samoa

My friends, we are at a crossroad where the inhabitants of the kingdom must have a "Come to Jesus" huddle and an honest to God assessment of her dire economic situation and look hard for a solution to prevent our kingdom from insolvency. Based on Honorable Matoto's assessment of our economy, the kingdom is technically on economic welfare (remittance and foreign aid). - Tama Foa

Noble Luani, the Chairman of Tonga's newly formed parliamentary Tripartite Committee for Political Reform does not think it is possible for his committee to produce a plan to replace Tonga's 131 years old system of government, within a mere three weeks. By Pesi Fonua.

Tongan MPs should learn something from Tuvalu. I read on the Pacnews of 27 October that the Small island state of Tuvalu makes Big decisions like freeze on allowances and overseas travels of MPs until cash flow problems improve, said new Prime Minister, Apisai Ielemia. "When my government came to power, we put in place some measures that we think would improve our finances. "“These are allowances of all MPs, cabinet ministers and backbenchers have been frozen until such time our economy can cope with it. There is also a freeze on overseas travel for cabinet and civil servants." - Seini Pua Mafi

Please allow me a brief response to the challenge posed in your columns by MT Tuaileva "The Royal Spin", 5 October) against the Hon Prime Minister's public assertion that 23 out of the 32 members of the Legislative Assembly are elected members. -Lopeti Senituli

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. From the House. By Pesi Fonua

Isn'’t it disappointing that none of these re-elected people'’s reps ever moved against such gross mismanagement of people'’s taxation money? It makes one wonder whether the pro-democracy conviction is really an objective that these gentlemen are living for or simply just another money-making rhetorical scheme. -Rev. Dr. Ma'’afu Palu