Results for Parliament

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.