Results for Tonga Legislative Assembly

In one of its first big decisions of 2006, Tonga's parliament has decided to work less for more pay. The working days of the legislative assembly have been reduced from a four-days week to three-days week, starting on August 1. But there has been no move to reduce the parliamentarians' salaries to match the new hours. By Pesi Fonua.

In a name-calling press release yesterday Tonga's new Minister of Tourism Hon. Fineasi Funaki, has labeled some of his fellow MPs as, "a bunch of Pharisees." His remarks were directed at one noble and eight of the People's Representatives who are suing the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House and the Government of Tonga, over a claim that the opening of parliament by the Princess Regent, Princess Pilolevu on June 1 was illegal.

Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua. Events in Tonga over the past few weeks, have left vacuums in our midst and are reshaping the entities that had the power to influence our lives, our way of thinking, and our style of government.

The Prime Minister, Prince '‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata asked for the Minister of Justice, Hon. Siaosi 'Aho, to tell the House about efforts that had been made to end the strike, and how each time it was turned down by the strikers, who had even refused to meet and discuss their grievances with the government delegation. He referred to the two who were standing (Prince Tu'ipelehake and 'Akilisi Pohiva) and said they were stirring up trouble in the land. From the House. Tonga Legislative Assembly, Minute No. 23, Monday August 15, 2005.

'Akilisi Pohiva said that if they were talking about accountability, and taking it to the highest level then who was the chief executive of the Privy Council [the king] accountable to? The Prime Minister, HRH Prince ...‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata asked would the people be more powerful than the constitution and the law? In the old days when there was no law and order, countries ended up in war, and it seemed that was what some of the PRs wanted, they did not want Law and Order. Tonga Legislative Assembly, Minute No. 8, Tuesday June 14, 2005. From the House, by Pesi Fonua

A one billion pa'anga foreign investment is needed to revive the Tongan economy, according to the King of Tonga, HM King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, in his speech from the throne to open the 2005 session of the Tonga Legislative Assembly yesterday. Photos by Linny Folau and Pesi Fonua

Results of the Tongan May 2005 By Election for a new Tongatapu No. 3 People's Resentative, and a new Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou People's Representative.

Tonga's process of law making at the moment is a matter of great concern. The recent overturning by Chief Justice Webster of the conflicting media laws, means we have to take a closer look at how laws are made in this country. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua.

A group of Tongan People's Representatives are calling for the resignation of Tonga's Prime Minister, Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, after boycotting the opening of the Tonga Legislative Assembly by the King this morning.