Results for Parliament

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

The People's Representative for the Niuas, Sione Feingatau 'Iloa reported to the House a dangerous voyage by the MV 'Olovaha to the Niuas on August 18. He said that the engine stopped five times and he felt that the lives of the passengers were at risk. From the House, by Pesi Fonua.

Re: Elected members upset that new tax rate hits MP's pockets. "The Prime Minister used the Cabinet Ministers' parliamentary salaries as an example. He said that a minister's Basic Salary was $32,000. The first $7,400 was tax-free, therefore the remaining $24,600 was taxed 10 per cent. He said that even if the allowances of $5,400 were added on it was only going to be the remaining figures above $30,000 that would be taxed 20 per cent." Unfortunately this is not the correct explanation of the new taxation. - Frank Schaper

Noble Tu'ilakepa, the Speaker of the Tongan Parliament, caused an uproar in the House on Tuesday September 2 when he pleaded with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet to reduce the 20 per cent tax imposed on the incomes of members of parliament. From the House by Pesi Fonua

The nine Nobles' Representatives to the Tongan parliament showed their united opposition to a Bill that will allow Tongans to take the first constructive step towards the reshaping of the parliamentary system of the Kingdom. From the House by Pesi Fonua.

The names of five candidates for the Constitution and Electoral Commission should be made known by next week, said the Acting Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Paula Ma'u yesterday, August 20.

From the House, an English translation summary from the Tongan vernacular, by Pesi Fonua.