Results for parliament

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

The Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement THRDM is counting on winning all nine People Representatives seats in the March 17 Tongan Parliamentary Election. 'Akilisi Pohiva, the Secretary of the THRDM and the incumbent Tongatapu No. 1 People's Representative, was optimistic that the THRDM or "Temos" would be able to take the two seats for Vava'u this year.

We have observed an interesting trend in previous candidates competing for a place in parliament. They are as fierce as lions when campaigning with their out-spokenness, yet as soon as they get into parliament, it almost seems like someone had clipped their tongues like a wet bus ticket on the way in.

The approach by government to appoint four cabinet ministers from the 18 elected members of the House this year has given a new dimension to Tonga's 2005 parliamentary election. Now, in effect, an elected member of the "opposition" may cross the floor to become a member of the cabinet. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua,