Results for Parliament

Modern Tonga was born, as Pacific historians claimed, out of a marriage of convenience between monarchy and Christianity, may I propose that postmodern Tonga should be conceived out of a marriage of necessity between philosophical, cultural, and political motifs and paradoxes which constitute Tonga's political reality. We need to reflect deeply on how to merge the present political reality and the democratic ideals, traditions and post-modernism, culture and politics, monarchy and democracy. Any attempt to create a short-cut solution by unreservedly embracing democracy is, nothing short of political suicide. - Senituli Penitani

Let's first talk about the US economy. We here in America are just fine. Our children are still well fed. They are still well clothed. They still lie down at night and say their prayers on a warm bed. We share with those who are not fortunate enough. The laughter and smiles we see and hear from our children makes us wonder if there is really a recession. We know there is a recession but we are going to walk out of it together. I don't have time to write all day so I will get to the point.

Gordon Ward, Tonga's former Chief Justice has been appointed as the Chairman of Tonga's new Political Reform Commission along with four other members who were named in a statement from the Privy Council today.

If the integrity of the Tongan Parliament was in any doubt during the last few days of the 2008 parliamentary session then on the night of the final sitting on November 3 it was completely destroyed when members discovered that a sub-clause that had not been passed by the House had appeared in a Gazetted Amendment to an Act. By Pesi Fonua

My GPS Fotua education tells me that a normal working person works 40 hours a week through out the 52 weeks of the year. At the end of the year, there are possible 2,080 working hours. Give or take a few days for illness, religious services and hangover; there are plenty of hours worked. Parliament on the other hand, worked less than 200 hours during this parliamentary session. - Tama Foa

Hon. Tu'ivanuavou Vaea was named today as the representative of the nobles to Tonga's Commission for Political Reform.

Tonga's political reform movement stalled this week with the parliament left in confusion over how to move forward, with some members calling for the termination of the Commission for Political Reform - before it has even been formed. Parliament was in an upheaval on Monday October 13 when the Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele told the House that the Cabinet nominee for the Political Reform Commission would not be available until January 2009, and that the House had a lot of issues to agree on first before the Commission could proceed with its deliberation on political reform. By Pesi Fonua

It was high drama again in parliament on Thursday, September 11, the last day of parliamentary proceedings before the House closed until October 2. From the House, by Pesi Fonua.

A debate in parliament over the reinstatement of the Emergency Powers sparked off comments over what caused the events of 16/11 and a concern that a repeat is still possible. From the House by Pesi Fonua