Results for Tonga Government

The Tonga Government's biggest budget of $545.1 million pa’anga for the 2016-2017 financial year was tabled into parliament this morning, 7 June, by the Minister of Finance and National Planning, Hon. ‘Aisake Eke.

The Pacific Games Council today declared that a move by Tonga to vacate the Tonga 2019 Pacific Games Organising Committee - CEO/chairman’s position, is “null and void”.

Tonga could be used as a transfer point for the illegal trade of arms if its government doesn’t sign the International Arms Trade Treaty warns Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA). In the Pacific region, Tuvalu, Samoa, Australia and New Zealand have signed and ratified the treaty and Vanuatu, Palau, Kiribati and Nauru have signed.

US$2 million in concessional financing approved by the World Bank on 16 March will support Tonga’s efforts to create "a more inclusive and resilient economy" through policy reform. It is to be funded with US$1 million credit and US$1 million grant, provided through the International Development Association, the World Bank's fund for poorest countries.

A year after Tonga’s second democratically elected government came into power at the end of December 2014, Tongan politics is stuck in the doldrums. The repetition by PM Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva that his government has the will to "take action" guided by the high moral principles of "good leadership, rule of law - justice for all and the fair distribution of national wealth," so far, are just hot air. The difference between what has been said and what has happened, speaks for itself. Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.

The Prime Minister, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva this afternoon, at a Press Conference, sentenced Hon. ‘Etuate Lavulavu for corruption by terminating his ministerial post as Minister of Infrastructure but retained him as Minister of Tourism without pay for five months as from January 2016. No questions were allowed.

An announcement by Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva that yesterday’s decision by parliament gave him the authority to punish Lavulavu for abuse of office, has astounded the media who were called to a press conference outside parliament today, Friday. From outside the House, by Pesi Fonua.

The smashing of the protective walls around Tonga’s War Memorial and removal of its memorial plaques, during the site clearing for St. George’s Palace construction at Pangai Si’i last week might possibly be illegal.

The Tonga Government does not have an investigation project to find out if Tonga civil servants are considered unpaid, the Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr ‘Aisake Eke said. “There is no investigation, but a review of the salary structure,” he said in a statement on August 7.