Results for Parliament

Noble Luani, the Chairman of Tonga's newly formed parliamentary Tripartite Committee for Political Reform does not think it is possible for his committee to produce a plan to replace Tonga's 131 years old system of government, within a mere three weeks. By Pesi Fonua.

The Minister of Finance said that 2007 is a very difficult year because on November 16 about 20% of Tonga's GDP was destroyed in one day and it was difficult to establish the real state of the economy because they have not been able to value all that was lost during 16/11. PR Samiu Vaipulu expressed his concern that it would take many generations to repay government loans.

'Akilisi Pohiva continued to argue that business profits should be reduced. From the House, by Pesi Fonua.

The Minister for Youth and Sports said that only about 10% of school leavers could find employment locally. From the House, by Pesi Fonua

The Prime Minister, as the Chairman of the Board of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission, had warned the Manager and senior executives of TBC that there is a limit to Media Freedom. He had warned the TBC about broadcasting "biased reports...…criticising government" and he therefore thought the stopping of the broadcasting of political news was appropriate. From the House, an English translation summary from the Tongan vernacular, by Pesi Fonua. Tonga Legislative Assembly, Minute No. 6, June 18, 2007.

Tonga's Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Sevele told Parliament there will be no reconciliation, until there is a confession, and a submission for wrong doing by those who initiated the destruction of November 16. However, 'Akilisi Pohiva expressed his fear that if they confess, "we may all end up in Tolitoli" [prison]. From the House.

'Akilisi Pohiva suggested that government should find a way for decision making to end at the Cabinet, and that there was no need to be checked by the Privy Council. The Prime Minister asked the member not to dwell in the past and in his own imagination. He emphasised that everything that goes to Privy Council is agreed to by Cabinet and whatever the king wanted done is given to Cabinet to look into it. From the House, by Pesi Fonua.

The passing of the Bill for Tongans to have Dual Citizenship. Children who are born in Tonga to a Tongan mother or father may become a Tongan citizen. From the House, by Pesi Fonua.

The letter was a pledge by Members of Parliament that they will fulfil the wishes of the king. The letter also praised the king for his foresight in trying to revive the economy and to establish diplomatic missions in Wellington and Canberra. From the House, by Pesi Fonua