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Thursday 16 September 2021

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
On the closing of the 2021 parliamentary session today, King Tupou VI stated that it was important for the House to make sure that the government of the day used taxpayers' money wisely. In a speech read by Lord Ve'ehala, the King said that in this election year Tonga faces many challenges, including illicit drugs, the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. He wished Tongans: “All the best for sensible voting in the coming November election.” From the House by Pesi Fonua.
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Friday 27 August 2021

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Legislation to introduce the death penalty for the most serious illicit drugs offences stirred vociferous debate in the Tongan parliament yesterday evening, 26 August 2021. Although a majority of members were unhappy with death penalty clauses, they proceeded to pass the bill without the changes they wanted being written. From the House by Pesi Fonua.
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Wednesday 25 August 2021

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Whole House Committee of the Tongan Parliament this evening, 25 August, passed two public health bills that aim to give the Ministry of Health, under certain conditions, the power to declare that vaccinations are compulsory. Public health authorities say the new provisions won't be forced but are there in case unvaccinated people are considered a danger to the rest of the population. From the House by Pesi Fonua
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Friday 13 August 2021

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga is considering a mandatory death sentence for offenders who traffic 5 kilograms or more of a Class A drug. An amendment bill tabled into Parliament yesterday also proposes the death sentence for offenders who repeatedly procure and use children in drug offences. The bill still has to go through the second and third readings before it can proceed further. From the House by Pesi Fonua.
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Wednesday 11 August 2021

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tongan Parliament got off to a slow start yesterday, 10 August after its four weeks break. At first it did not have a quorum, so it went into recess for 10 minutes. In fact, the House was scheduled to resume on 2 August. However, it did not get rolling until yesterday morning. Government had tabled several Bills to the House only the day before the House resumed its proceeding. From the House by Pesi Fonua.
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Wednesday 4 August 2021

The 2019-20 Annual Report of Foreign Affairs division sparked comments in Parliament yesterday, 3 August, when it was reported Tonga's overseas offices faced many problems. From the House by Pesi Fonua.
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Wednesday 4 August 2021

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga is set to introduce compulsory inoculation against coronavirus disease. A Bill to amend the Public Health Act to enforce inoculation of the public against COVID-19, was among seven Bills that government tabled into parliament yesterday, 3 August. The Bill was carried unanimously on its first reading and passed on to a Standing committee. Full details of the amendment have not been released to the public. From the House by Pesi Fonua.
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Thursday 22 July 2021

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Limited “public hearings” organised by a Parliamentary Standing Committee will be held today and tomorrow at undisclosed locations for registered attendees to talk about a new “Tonga Sports and Recreation Bill 2021”. The bill proposes an Act that, critics argue, will give government new powers to direct activities of independent national sports associations, and give politicians more control over how funding for sports is used.
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Law
Wednesday 21 July 2021

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Survivors of domestic violence or gender-based violence in Tonga can now access justice with more comprehensive legal support provided online by the Tonga Family Protection Legal Aid Centre.
Friday 9 July 2021

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A close relationship between the Communist Party of China and the Tonga People’s Party, led by Prime Minister Hon. Rev Dr Pohiva Tu‘i‘onetoa, was revealed at a reception to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Communist Party of China, at the Chinese Embassy last night, 8 July. By Pesi Fonua
Tuesday 6 July 2021

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Questions in parliament this morning once again failed to win any clarity from the Prime Minister on the salaried status of his jailed Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism. No new ministers have been appointed to the portfolios held by 'Akosita Lavulavu, who started five years imprisonment on Friday July 2. It appears that the Prime Minister is not going to give her a red card. From the House by Pesi Fonua
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Tuesday 6 July 2021

Nuku'alofa, Tonga.
Tonga’s Prime Minister, Hon. Rev. Dr Pohiva Tu‘i‘onetoa, who is not only the President of the Tonga Rugby Union but also chairs the interim group to manage Tonga’s Rugby League affairs, had a few words to say about rugby in parliament this morning. From the House by Pesi Fonua.
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Wednesday 30 June 2021

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tongan Parliament resumed yesterday morning, 29 June after it had a fortnight break after the House passed the 2021-2022 National Budget on 10 June. It was a slow start on Tuesday. From the House by Pesi Fonua.
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Law
Monday 28 June 2021

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's new Electronic Communications Abuse Offences Act aimed at addressing the problem of online abuse, comes into force on July 1.
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Sunday 20 June 2021

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
As we are heading for a General Election in November, Tonga's fourth election since 2010, it is logical to look back at how our new system of government has been in operation since the Democratisation Reform Program was introduced in 2010 - over a decade ago.
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Friday 11 June 2021

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga’s National Budget for 2021-2022, of $618.4 million pa'anga was passed by the Tongan Parliament yesterday 10 June. Hon. Tevita Lavemaau told the House that the deficit budget will be financed 60% by Government, and 40% by Tonga’s foreign development partners. From the House by Pesi Fonua.
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Sunday 6 June 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The first Budget allocation of $509,300 for an Anti-Corruption Commission was among nine allocations passed by the Whole House Committee of the Tongan Legislature on June 2-3.
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Tuesday 1 June 2021

The proceedings in the Tongan Parliament on Monday, 31 May highlighted an attempt by members of parliament to fulfil their duty, “to oversee the work of the Government of the day,” as stated by King Tupou VI when he opened Parliament on 6 May. From the House by Pesi Fonua.
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Saturday 29 May 2021

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga’s government is once again proposing a deficit National Budget, with a $38 million pa'anga deficit for the coming year 2021-22, according to the the Minister of Finance’s Budget Statement presented to Parliament this week. From the House by Pesi Fonua
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Monday 24 May 2021

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A petition, pleading for King Tupou VI to dismantle parliament and call a new General Election, “because the people no longer trust the Parliament and the Government”, was delivered this afternoon to the Palace Office, by Siaosi Pohiva, the Tongatapu No. 1 People’s Representative and his supporters.
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