Results for Parliament

An urgent bill pushed by Cabinet last month – the National Spatial Planning And Management (Amendment) Bill 2019 – aims to replace the King’s authority in appointing the ‘Planning Tribunal’ which adjudicates appeals filed by applicants against decisions made by the National Spatial Planning Authority, a body that assesses and approves draft plans of land/development projects.

King Tupou VI, in a message for the closing of the Tonga Legislative Assembly's 2018-19 session today, said there was a lot of work to be done to develop our country. The king's short message, delivered by Lord Vaea, urged all Tongans to be prepared for the effects of climate change, and stressed that the work of Parliament and Government must be carried out in accordance with the Constitution and with dignity. The Prime Minister was absent from the closure.

The Prime Minister Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva today expressed relief that King Tupou VI did not dissolve the Tonga Legislative Assembly and call for new elections again, as requested by Petitioners. “I totally support His Majesty in Council’s decision,” he stated.

The Tonga Parliament ended Tuesday’s session in a tense mood, after the Acting Speaker, Lord Tu‘ilakepa announced that the Prime Minister’s six “Urgent Bills” would have to go to the House’s Standing Committee on Legislation; and the Minister of Police, Hon. Mateni Tapueluelu threatened to impeach him. From the House By Pesi Fonua

When the Tongan parliament closed for the week on Thursday, 14 March, there was public concern over the current composition of the Legislative Assembly, with only Cabinet Ministers and their four People's Representative supporters attending. From the House by Pesi Fonua

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.

Government yesterday, 6 March after lunch retrieved from the House the six urgent bills that it had tabled into parliament, apparently withdrawing them for public consultation. From the House, by Pesi Fonua.

Six Bills, tabled into parliament by Cabinet and labelled “urgent” by Tonga's Prime Minister, stirred fierce debate on Wednesday and Thursday. The House rejected a motion for public consultation over the proposed changes to the Constitution being debated. From the House By Pesi Fonua

Better dialogue between government and the private sector will help to smooth key processes holding back the growth of business in Tonga, the Chamber of Commerce & Industry (TCCI) has told government, in a hurried submission on the Foreign Investment Bill last Friday, February 22.