Results for Parliament

Tonga is to hold its sixth parliamentary by-election this session on August 23 when the Tongatapu nobles will choose one of their number to fill the seat vacated by the late Prince Tu'’ipelehake.

Polling started slowly this morning in a by-election to elect a new Ha'apai People'’s Representative to the Tongan Parliament. Photos by Linny Folau

The Tongan Legislature has adjourned its proceedings and postponed the Parliamentarians national tour in July because of the Royal funeral of the late Prince Tu'’ipelehake and the late Princess Kaimana Tuku'’aho, according to Tevita '‘Ova the Chief Clerk of the House.

The threat of a National Strike and Civil Disobedience ended in oblivion on June 29 when Tonga's Prime Minister answered a letter of petition before the June 30 deadline set by a loose-knit group of protestors.

Organised civil disturbance threatened for July 1 by Tongan protesters earlier this month, appears to be nothing but hot air. 'Akilisi Pohiva, the leader of the protesters who numbered about 1000, including seven People's Representatives, said today that as far as he knows, "no plan of action has been made."

The eight members of parliament who forced the Tongan Legislature to close this week changed their minds yesterday afternoon, and now, in an abrupt turnaround, they want the House to reopen, fearing that they have given the government a free-rein on the new Budget. Withdrawal is not going to be easy or cheap for the plaintiffs who, after claiming that the opening of Parliament on June 1 was illegal, have applied to the Supreme Court for their Civil Case, to be "discontinued".

In a name-calling press release yesterday Tonga's new Minister of Tourism Hon. Fineasi Funaki, has labeled some of his fellow MPs as, "a bunch of Pharisees." His remarks were directed at one noble and eight of the People's Representatives who are suing the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House and the Government of Tonga, over a claim that the opening of parliament by the Princess Regent, Princess Pilolevu on June 1 was illegal.

Tonga's 2006 Parliamentary session meeting on its first day, was this morning postponed until June12 by the Speaker of the Tongan Legislative Assembly, Hon. Tu'iha'angana. From the House by Pesi Fonua.

FROM OUR ARCHIVES: Tonga's Public Service Association (PSA) in an apparent pull-back from its demands for a new interim government and cancelling a call for strike action, has handed over the organization of tomorrow's national march to the People'’s National Committee for Political Reform, chaired by ‘Akilisi Pohiva.