Results for Parliament

The Tonga government has introduced one of the heaviest penalties for drug offenders imposed by any government in the region. -Matangi Tonga, Vol. 18, No. 3

The Tongan Parliament'’s decision to do away with use of the British Civil Liberty Law will hurt some Tongan families who were hoping to emigrate to New Zealand and Australia. Now that they are illegal, Tongan adoptions will not be recognised by other countries. -Matangi Tonga, Vol. 18, No. 3

Disregarding strong public protests and the opposition of People'’s Representatives, the Tongan Government pushed through a bill for Constitutional change on October 16. The changes, which have yet to be signed into law by the king, will allow government to control freedom of speech. The 16 members who voted in favour of the controversial Bill were: Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, James Cecil Cocker, William Clive Edwards, Dr Masasso T. Paunga, Dr Viliami Ta'u Tangi, Fielakepa, Siosiua Tupou 'Utoikamanu, 'Aisea Havea Taumoepeau, Paula Sunia Bloomfield, Tuita, Malupo, 'Akau'ola, Fohe, Nuku, Havea Tu'iha'angana, and Tu'i'afitu.

The Tongan parliament closed early on Tuesday, September 16, after a heated quarrel broke out between the Tongatapu No. 1 People's Representative, 'Akilisi Pohiva, and the Vava'u No. 2 People's Representative, 'Etuate Lavulavu.

The Tonga Government’s Budget for 2003-04 of $156.2 million is the highest ever, and it is $37.5 million more than last year’s $118.7 million budget. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 2, August 2003.

The Vava‘u no. 2 People’s Representative to the Tongan Legislative Assembly, ‘Etuate Lavulavu, filed a motion for a writ, with the Tongan Legislative Assembly on June 25, calling for the impeachment of the Chief Justice, Hon. Mr Justice Ward. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 2, August 2003.

Several controversial and hastily-prepared bills that were introduced to the Tongan legislature when its 2003 session opened in June, have provoked international outrage and local concern. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 2, August 2003.

Why did government decide to prohibit the import of the 14 year old Taimi ‘o Tonga in February? If the politics of the campaigning newspaper wasn’t the real issue, as government spokespeople were claiming, we asked, then what was? From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 1, March 2003.

The walk-out by all of the nine People’s Representatives from the Tongan Legislative Assembly on October 21 had to be the highlight of the 2002 parliamentary session, but it was not all what it seemed to be. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 3, November 2002.