The Speaker of the House has remained silent on whether Hon. Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa’s travelling allowance and salaries are being paid by the government.
As we reported last month, there have been calls for the Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, to state whether or not the 72-years old former Prime Minster is still being paid his travelling allowance and salary while he is seeking medical attention in the United States.
This was in response to a press from Parliament and confirmation that Hon. Tu’i’onetoa’s medical expenses in the United States were paid for by his family.
It is understood that MPs are entitled to these if they are on medical leave overseas.
The calls for further information were sparked by a Parliamentary press release confirming that the former Prime Minister had been granted an extension of his medical leave.
Kaniva News earlier raised the question of whether his continued absence from the House might trigger a by-election certain circumstances.
We asked the Speaker to release Hon. Tu’i’onetoa’s salaries and travelling allowance records while he is in the United States and confirm whether he is still receiving them.
We also asked the Speaker why Parliament has not confirmed that it paid the former Prime Minister’s expenses while he has been having spinal surgery in Sydney in 2017.
So far Lord Fakafanua has not responded to these questions.
For more information
Parliament approves longer medical leave for former Prime Minister, but now there are calls for release of salary and travelling allowance details
Could Tongatapu 10 MP Tu‘i‘onetoa’s continued medical absence lead to another by-election?
