Results for Parliament

News today, that King Tupou VI has initiated steps to remove the portfolios from two government ministers, has raised more questions than answers. In the firing line are the Minister for His Majesty's Armed Forces, Hon. Hu'akavameiliku and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Tourism, Hon. Fekitamoeloa 'Utoikamanu.

The Supreme Court of Tonga has dismissed an application made by seven Members of Parliament for a judicial review over allegations related to parliamentary procedure during the recent vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, which was considered by the Legislative Assembly in September. On Monday 8 January 2024, the Court ruled that it has no jurisdiction to hear the judicial review application.

A Tongan lawyer and judge, Elisapeti Makoni Langi, who was admitted to the list of counsel of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in August 2023, was yesterday elected by the ICC Bar Association as a member of the ICC Victims Committee.

The Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku holds on to his leadership tonight, after a ballot for a Motion for a Vote of No Confidence failed to gain a majority, with members voting 11-For and 14-Against the motion, during the second day of two-days of sometimes heated deliberations, 5-6 September 2023.

Tonga's Lord Chief Justice, Michael H. Whitten KC, had his last sitting in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court today and was farewelled in a ceremony held at the court.

The announcement by the Speaker of the Tongan Parliament, Lord Fakafanua in Parliament on 16 August that the House is no longer funding the daily radio broadcast of the Proceedings of the House, surprised members of Parliament. It was also a shocking announcement for members of the public who were keenly listening to the debate on the Auditor General's Report for 2021-2022. The Auditor's Report exposes a litany of weaknesses in many Ministries and reveals the wide extent of inadequate reporting of government expenditures. It raises concerns about government's recent capital expenditures, inadequate assets registers and discrepancies between the Sun System and Ministries financial reports. From the House by Pesi Fonua.

Kapelieli Militoni Lanumata won the Tongatapu 10 By-Election with 870 votes and secured his seat in the Legislative Assembly of Tonga in yesterday's by-election when 2,261 voters turned out to vote for five candidates.

Tonga’s parliament passed the national Annual Budget for FY2023-2024 of $784.2 million pa’anga last night, 28 June, with 14-0 votes. The Minister of Finance, Hon. Tiofilusi Tiueti said there is a budget deficit of $27.2 million. From the House by Pesi Fonua.

Following the opening of the 2022-2023 session of the Tonga Legislative Assemby on 1 June 2023, members of parliament are still waiting for the release of the 2021-2022 Annual Reports of seven government Ministries and entities. From the House, by Pesi Fonua.