The 27 MPs in the Vanuatu parliament who belong to the new coalition government of Prime Minister Sato Kilman have submitted a motion to remove the current Speaker, Seoule Simeon.
They have called for a parliamentary session next Tuesday to deal with the motion.
The Speaker’s office has confirmed that it has received the motion.
This marks the second attempt to replace Simeon as Speaker.
The first endeavour took place during the extraordinary session last month which led to the motion of no confidence that removed Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau as the country’s leader, but the motion opposing Simeon never got scheduled for debate.
The potential candidate for speaker, from the government side, has held the post before, Gracia Shadrach.
Last week, Kilman was elected as the new prime minister ousting Kalsakau by 27 votes to 23 that ended weeks of political impasse.
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Legal action is underway to sue the Lord Speaker, Hon. Fakafanua, after he was accused of breaching the Constitution by stopping MPs debating the Prime Minister’s responses to the motion of no confidence yesterday.
Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku (L), and Lord Speaker Fakafanua. Photo/Fale Alea ‘O Tonga
The Speaker and his chief clerks were also accused of failing to immediately make it clear and locate in the Hansard a statement by the Speaker telling the House he would allow them to debate the motions against the Prime Minister.
The legal action has been confirmed to Kaniva News by the Tongatapu 4 MP Mateni Tapueluelu.
It came after the Prime Minister survived his vote of no confidence by a vote of 14 – 11.
Hon. Tapueluelu, who was recently granted leave to sue the Parliament in relation to an alleged illegal pay rise, said he believed the Speaker and the Parliament had breached the same clause of the constitution when he handled the motion of the vote of no confidence on Wednesday.
The dispute centred on Clause 62 (2) of the Constitution , which says: “Any member of the Legislative Assembly may, in accordance with its rules of procedure – (a) introduce a Bill in the Assembly; (b) propose a motion for debate in the Assembly; or (c) present a petition to the Assembly, and it shall be dealt with in accordance with the Assembly’s rules of procedure.”
The Assembly’s rules of procedure 84F, which cover a debate of a Motion for a Vote of No Confidence in the Prime Minister, say at Section 84F (2): “When a motion for Vote of No Confidence in the Prime Minister is debated in the Legislative Assembly, there shall be no other matter debated in the Legislative Assembly until the Motion is concluded”.
The Opposition believes the Assembly’s procedures and the Constitution clearly stipulate that they had the right to debate the motions after they were read out.
When the House returned after a break on Wednesday to deliberate after the 223-page report of 46 motions and responses were read out, the Prime Minister was the first to speak and move for the Speaker to go ahead and put his vote of no confidence to the ballot.
This was opposed by the Opposition who told the Speaker they needed time to clarify the responses from the Prime Minister because they felt some had been misleading and breaching other clauses of the constitution.
Lord Nuku from the Opposition spoke and gave an example. He said the vote of no confidence motions had accused the government on matters related to its conviction by a court and there was evidence about it. He said the response from the Prime Minister claimed the government did nothing wrong (“ ‘ikai ha me’a ia ‘e hala”).
A heated debate erupted, with more MPs who supported the Vote of No Confidence asking the Speaker to allow them to clarify the Prime Minister’s responses. They believed it was in the public interest to clarify the responses from the Prime Minister and leave it for the public to judge.
Tongatapu 7 MP Paula Piveni Piukala asked the Prime Minister whether he had something hidden in his responses and whether this was the reason he insisted on stopping them from clarifying his responses.
Speaker says the House will debate
Hon. Piukala reminded the Speaker that he had already told the House the day before that he would allow them to debate (“fakamalanga”) the motions and the responses after the clerks read them all out.
MP Piukala insisted that the Speaker should refer to the Hansard and double check what he had told the House.
The Speaker insisted that that debates he had mentioned were meant for the House procedures (“foungs ngāue ‘a e Fale”), but Piukala disagreed and told the Speaker to bring the Hansard to confirm what he was talking about as he believed he was right.
The Speaker asked to pause the meeting before he called his two chief clerks to help him check the Hansard.
After the short meeting the Speaker told the House his recollection was the same as the clerks, that the debate he was talking about the day before was meant for them to discuss the House procedure.
Kaniva News replayed the streamed video which recorded live the Speaker’s statement. Here is what he said about the debate in Tongan:
“ ‘A ia ‘i hono aofangatuku’ ko ‘ene ‘osi pe hono lau’ te u tuku atu e faingāmalie hou’eiki ke mo u fakamalanga mai ki he fokotu’u’ pea mo e tali’. Te tau tauhi pe ‘a e taki miniti ‘e 10 pea ko ‘ene melie pe feme’a’aki’ te u ui leva e pāloti’ pea ko ‘etau pāloti’i ‘a e fokotu’u’ pe ‘oku mou loto ki ai pe ‘ikai.”
In English he said (contextually translated by Kaniva News):
“So in conclusion, after the reading of the motions and the responses, I will give you the opportunity to debate (“fakamalanga”) on the motions and the responses. We will keep to the rule of 10 minutes limit for each MP who wanted to speak and when the debates finished, I will call for the ballot on the vote of no confidence whether you accept it or not.”
The Speaker said later, during the dispute in the House, that he had just located in the Hansard what Hon. Piukala was referring at. He read out that part of the Hansard, as translated above, but he made further comments which made it appear that he was trying to justify what he had said previously, that the debates he mentioned the day before were meant to be about the House procedure.
He did not allow the House to debate the responses from the Prime Minister. He finally allowed the House to ballot the Prime Minister’s motion to go ahead and ballot on his vote of confidence.
The Prime Minister’s motion was carried with a 17 – 10 vote.
Tower has announced the launch of its Cyclone Response Cover pilot ahead of the upcoming cyclone season, offering peace of mind and extra financial security to the people of Tonga.
Cyclone Response Cover provides a rapid cash pay-out when a customer is impacted by a high wind speed cyclone event, regardless of damage and without the need for an insurance assessor’s signoff.
Tower Head of Pacific Retail Distribution Joanne Rasmussen says, Cyclone Response Cover will help dramatically increase insurance accessibility, particularly as climate change impacts increase over time.
“Tonga was ranked as the third most at-risk country for natural hazards in the 2021 World Risk Report, but like much of the Pacific, less than 10% of families have insurance.
“Cyclone Response Cover will lessen the burden on local communities and their support networks, enabling them to recover from cyclone damage quickly. We’re doing what’s right by our customers and communities.”
For the pilot, Tower customers have a choice of three product options, ranging from TOP$1,000 to TOP$10,000, based on the amount of cover they feel they need to fast-track their recovery after a cyclone event.
“You are guaranteed to be paid out, if a Cyclone meets certain criteria in your area, no questions asked and no insurance assessment needed. We aim to process payments within seven days,” says Ms Rasmussen.
Tonga is heavily exposed to weather events, including cyclones. At times, locals are left to rely on their savings, borrow money or seek cash elsewhere to start their recovery during a cyclone crisis.
In 2018, Tropical Cyclone Gita made landfall in Tonga, the impact on the country was significant with approximately TOP$10.3m in claims paid out by Tower alone, known as National Pacific Insurance (NPI) at that time. In 2020, Tower paid out more than
TOP$2.1m in claims to customers after Tropical Cyclone Harold. “When we began officially rebranding from National Pacific Insurance to Tower last year, we promised the people of Tonga that the Tower name would come with new and improved offerings,” says Ms Rasmussen.
“We are so proud to be delivering on that promise so strongly already, with the launch of My Tower Tonga in February and now, with our Cyclone Response Cover pilot.”
Cyclone Response Cover was first trialled in Fiji for the 2022/2023 cyclone season in collaboration with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), under its flagship Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme. Following the success of the pilot, Cyclone Response Cover is now available to all Fijians.
For Tonga’s Cyclone Response Cover trial, Tower has also partnered with the Tonga Development Bank and the Pacific Disability Forum. The product is available to bank customers and forum members for the 2023/2024 cyclone season, with the goal of launching the product to the wider Tongan market next year.
Tonga Development Bank Manager Silia Tupou says, Cyclone Response Cover’s streamlined claims and settlements process will benefit bank customers.
“Parametric insurance can provide some peace of mind at either a more affordable price point or in situations where more traditional policies are simply unavailable. The claims process is also simpler and the payouts are faster.”
Delegations from the UNCDF, Tonga Development Bank and Tower met last week, to officially launch the pilot programme in Tonga.
Bank customers and forum members interested in the pilot can talk to their respective organisations or visit the Tower Tonga branch.
A Tongan man who allegedly stabbed a paramedic to death in the back of an ambulance parked outside a Sydney McDonald’s is facing three further unrelated offences.
Steven Tougher, 29, was allegedly murdered on April 14 while taking a food break with his colleague at the end of his nightshift, at Campbelltown in Sydney’s south-west, Sydney’s 9News reported.
Police allege the 21-year-old accused was involved in three incidents in the days prior to Tougher’s death, including common assault, damaging property, armed with intent, two counts of attempted wounding with intent, and stealing.
The alleged incidents all took place in Campbelltown, police said, on April 13 and 14.
They are unrelated to the paramedic’s death.
Tougher had only been in the job for around a year and had married his wife, Madison, five weeks before his death.
Madison gave birth to the couple’s child, a baby girl named Lily-Mae Stevie Tougher, two months after Tougher died.
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The vote of no confidence to oust Tonga’s Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku was defeated in Parliament this afternoon with a vote of 14-11.
The motion was submitted by 10 people’s MPs including two members of the nobility.
The motion detailed a series of allegations against Hu’akavameiliku, mostly around government spending, mismanagement, lack of financial reports and non compliant activities surrounding government’s business services especially the Lulutai airlines.
Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku. Photo/Screenshot (Radio FM87.5)
Hu‘akavameiliku denied all accusations against him. He is the fourth Prime Minister to still hold on to office after a vote of no confidence.
The results came after it took two days for the House to read out a 223-page report of 46 points of accusations against the Prime Minister as well as 46 points of response from Hu’akavameiliku.
Those who voted against the Prime Minister were:
1. ‘Uhila mo e Langi Fasi
2. Māteni Tapueluelu
3. ‘Aisake Eke
4. Piveni Piukala
5. Kapeliele Lanumata
6. Taniela Fusimalohi
7. Mo’ale Finau
8. Vātau Hui
9. His Serene Highness Prince Kalaniuvalu Fotofili
COMMENTARY: Deputy Prime Minister Sāmiu Vaipulu could have told Parliament a lot more about how closely he has been involved in the crises surrounding Tonga’s domestic air services for the past 10 years.
Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu
Hon. Vaipulu was speaking recently in the Parliament in response to a motion to stop the Hu’akavameiliku government from buying a new aircraft for its troubled Lulutai airlines. The new aircraft was expected to arrive in Tonga this month.
Hon. Vaipulu said he and other Cabinet Ministers made a proposal while they were ministers in the late Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa government to set up Lulutai airlines as a solution to the domestic airlines problems which ultimately stretched back to the shutting down of Royal Tongan Airlines.
The doomed national airlines’ flight services collapsed in 2004 before the government sided with the then Crown Prince Tupouto’a and created a one airline policy to give his Peau Vava’u airlines the sole right for the domestic air services, forcing the popular Fly Niu airlines from the kingdom.
He said a decision by Parliament at the time to shut down the Royal Tongan Airlines caused a lot of trouble for travellers from outer islands.
What Hon. Vaipulu failed to say was the fact that the domestic airlines crisis after the fall of the Royal Tongan airlines venture and the closure of the airline Peau Vava’u in early 2007, had already been resolved after the New Zealand’s Pacific Chatham airline began serving Tongan domestic airlines in 2008.
This was four years after the Royal Tongan international flight services closed. The Peau Vava’u operation had caused many complaints and safety concerns about its 60 year old DC-3 aircraft as well as bad customer services and unexpected flight cancellations and schedule changes.
Chatham airlines started operation and servicing the domestic flights in April that year after the controversial Peau Vava’u airlines was shut down in January.
Domestic air services revival
It was Air Chatham which came to the kingdom at the invitation of the Tongan government and revived the domestic flight services.
It reached a point where the domestic services were described by the owner of Air Chatham Craig Emeny as “reliable and sustainable”.
“This has given the inbound tourist operators confidence to promote Tonga as a destination, and Tongan people have been provided with a safe and affordable airline with the lowest domestic seat cost per kilometre in the region”, Emeny said in a statement republished by Kaniva News on February 2013.
That article came after Emeny expressed his disappointment following an announcement by Hon. Vaipulu, who was then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Civil Aviation, that a new Chinese MA 60 aircraft would arrive in Tonga shortly as part of the government’s plan to set up a new airline to compete with Air Chatham.
Emeny said at the time he was concerned that “Tonga simply is not large enough to support two airlines”.
He also said Hon, Vaipulu “did not include or consider my airline in anyway”.
“I am not able to maintain financially viability in the Tonga market with the introduction of another airline operating a 50 seat (MA-60) and a 17 seat (Y12) aircraft in competition to me”.
After the arrival of the MA60 aircraft the government set up its new domestic airlines in partnership with Real Tonga in March 2013 and air Chatham withdrew its services from the kingdom. The MA60 proved to be a source of continuing controversy.
At the time Hon. Vaipulu said publicly that Real Tonga would provide cheaper airfares.
MA60 troubles
Controversy surrounded the MA60, after it was revealed that it had a troubling safety record.
The New Zealand government suspended millions of dollars in tourism aid to Tonga over concerns about the safety of its domestic airline service.
The New Zealand government also issued a travel warning to New Zealanders about flying on the aircraft.
Hon. Vaipulu was removed from the Minister of Civil Aviation in 2014 after a report to the International Civil Aviation Organisation was found to have errors. The details of the report were not released to the media.
The government’s initiative with Real Tonga failed in many respects, including failures to fulfil Hon. Vaipulu’s promise of cheaper fares.
There were lots of ongoing complaints about customer service issues, flight schedules unexpected changes and cancellations. Real Tonga finally ceased operation in 2020 after the government took back its aircrafts.
Lulutai airlines
Hon. Vaipulu, who had supported the setting up of Real Tonga, proposed to the Tu’i’onetoa government that it be closed down and Lulutai airlines be established in 2020.
Hon. Vaipulu is now trying to defend the purchase of a new aircraft for the troubled Lulutai airlines, even though many in the House are unconvinced it will improve domestic services.
Lulutai has caused a lot of trouble to the tourism industry by providing uncertain flight services and reaching the point where it has only been able to survive because Australia has been paying Fiji airlines to run Tonga’s domestic services.
Vaipulu rejects king’s advice
As Kaniva News reported previously in 2021 the king said the government should not run businesses, a statement opposed at the time by Hon. Vaipulu.
“A question was raised in the Cabinet whether the king’s concerns included the government’s operating the Lulutai Airlines,” Vaipulu said in Tongan.
He also said: “I told the Prime Minister Lulutai Airlines is our means of transportation from Tonga to Vava’u. It is the responsibility of the government to create that route so we can use it. As a result, the aircraft must fly in that route we have prepared. And that’s the answer to His Majesty.”
The Department of Internal Affairs is lodging an application for SkyCity’s casino operator’s licence to be temporarily suspended in the wake of a complaint from a customer.
It would affect the company’s flagship casino in Auckland as well as SkyCity Hamilton and SkyCity Queenstown.
The Gambling Commission will rule on the application and the length of any suspension.
“A decision may not be forthcoming for a number of months,” the statement read.
It comes after a complaint in February last year. The complainant — described as a “former customer” — gambled at SkyCity’s Auckland casino between August 2017 and February 2021.
The DOIA’s secretary alleges in the application that SkyCity “did not comply with requirements in its SkyCity Auckland Host Responsibility Programme relating to detection of incidences of continuous play by the customer”.
“SkyCity will fully cooperate with the [DOIA] Secretary in relation to the application and process,” the statement said.
“Given that the application is before the Commission it would be inappropriate for SkyCity to comment further on the application and allegations at this stage.
“Should the Commission determine to grant an order to suspend SCML’s [SkyCity Casino Management Limited] casino operator’s licence, this would not impact SkyCity’s non-gaming operations, including its hotels and restaurants.”
By Iliesa Tora, RNZ Pacific Senior Sports Journalist and is republished with permission
This is the second article in RNZ Pacific’s series on the three Pacific teams competing at the Rugby World Cup in France. In this piece, we look at Tonga’s ‘Ikale Tahi.
Tonga has defeated Canada 28-3 in the first of two-Test matches at Te’ufaiva Park in Nuku’alofa on Thursday. 10 August 2023. Photo: Canada
They say the only mountains one will find on Tongatapu are the people.
Strong-willed, diehards who never give up.
Tongatapu is the only major island in Tonga that does not have mountains, just hills.
Tonga’s motto ‘Ko e Otua mo Tonga ko hoku Tofia’ translated is ‘God and King are my inheritance’.
If you understand these you will understand why the Tongans refuse to give up on a rugby field.
Service to God and King are what the friendly islanders, as the late Captain James Cook called them, is what they believe in.
They take pride in that.
It’s what has brought home players like former All Blacks George Moala, Vaea Fifita, Malakai Fekitoa and Charles Piutau, and former Wallabies Israel Folau and Adam Coleman.
It is what is driving them as they prepare for the Rugby World Cup in France starting next week.
Having struggled to get all their players on time for their July camp in Nuku’alofa and then having to face numerous injury challenges, head coach Toutai Kefu has put together a squad of 33 for the world meet.
Folau has missed out because he still needs another six weeks to fully heal from a knee injury that saw him play only against Australia A at Te’ufaiva Park in early July.
He missed all the other Test matches against Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Canada after that.
The ‘Ikale Tahi or ‘Sea Eagles’ are in a pool where they will have to be at their best throughout.
Pool of death
Defending World Cup champions South Africa, current world No.1 Ireland, world No.5 Scotland and Romania make up the pool.
Kefu, a World Cup player at the 1999 event for the Wallabies, has described it as a pool of death.
But he believes the team can cause upsets if they click on the day.
Tonga has competed in every Rugby World Cup since the first one in 1987, except for 1991 when they failed to qualify.
Their best performances were in 2007 and 2011.
In 2007 they finished third in their pool behind England and South Africa after wins over Samoa and the United States.
They defeated France in 2011, though it wasn’t enough to progress to the knockout stages.
Their build-up to this year’s event has been mixed, so there is a feeling of uncertainty about what they can do in France.
They won matches against Australia A and the two-Test series against Canada.
However, all their Pacific Nations Cup matches resulted in losses to Fiji, Japan and Samoa.
But they have some key players who can, as a team, cause upsets in their pool.
Array of talent
Big Ben Tameifuna, who was on the fringe of All Blacks selection while with the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Championship some years back, is a key player.
Siua Maile, Sitiveni Mafi, Tanginoa Halaifonua and Samiuela Louisi do do not step back from the challenge in tight plays and will be key for the side in set pieces.
Crusaders’ Sione Havili, Moana Pasifika captain Solomone Funaki, Vaea Fifita and Sione Vailanu are key ball winners in the breakdowns and good carriers of the ball.
Tongan captain Sonatane Takulua leads the Sipitau against Canada on 10 August 2023. Photo: Sevenitini Tomoua
Good understanding between them has seen them improve and they will be the key in winning possession off the ground and in tackle-ball situations.
Veteran captain Sonatane Takulua does not back down from any challenge.
He is Tonga’s most capped player having amassed 52 tests under his name.
His combination with William Havili, younger brother of All Black David Havili, will be the key to setting the experienced backline alight.
Havili has improved in the position but could face some tough challenges from both South Africa and Ireland, who like to test halves combinations with big forward charges and short interchanges directed at the number 10.
Tonga defeated Australia A 27-24 in Nuku’alofa on Friday, 14 July 2023. Photo: Sevenetini Tomoua
Midfield is an area where the Tongans have so much depth with Pita Ahki, Malakai Fekitoa, George Moala and Afusipa Taumoepeau all having proven themselves.
With Moala due to miss at least the first three pool matches, a lot will fall on Ahki and Fekitoa to hold that midfield together.
Former Warriors league star and Mate Ma’a Tonga strike weapon Solomone Kata is one player that could be doing more damage than expected if he gets good possession and set-ups.
A great finisher, Kata has proven to be a revelation in rugby union when he switched codes three years ago.
Tonga also has the young Kyren Taumoefolau, drafted in from the Tonga 7s team, and Moana Pasifika winger Anzelo Tuitavuki, who are both growing in their game as well.
The No.15 jersey will no doubt belong to experienced former All Black Charles Piutau.
He will be the key man in defence and they can count on him to set up counter attacks from the back.
Ireland will be the team’s first match in Nantes on September 16.
COMMENTARY: Will PM survive vote of no confidence on Tuesday, but be ousted at next election?
Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku
Will history repeat itself?
When Parliament meets next Tuesday MPs will decide on a vote of no confidence based on growing dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni Hu’akavameiliku’s performance.
The motion was submitted by MP Dr Eke of Tongatapu 5, supported by 10 MPs altogether which included two nobility MPs Lord Nuku and Tu’ivakano.
The question is whether enough MPs will vote against him, or will he survive, only to be cast out at the next election, like his predecessor?
Hon. Hu’akavameiliku has been heavily criticised for his handling of ousted Ministers, government appointments and scandals surrounding the National Reserve Bank and the crisis-ridden Lulutai airlines.
It was only by reading Kaniva News that MPs discovered that the Prime Minister had bought a new aircraft, a revelation that led to heated debates. His handling of the kingdom’s budget has also been a big issue of concern for most MPs.
This Prime Minister and most of his Cabinet Ministers were members of late Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa’s Cabinet. However, they were disappointed with Tu’i’onetoa because of his close connection with disgraced politician Etuate Lavulavu, who was seen as having too much influence on Cabinet matters.
Hon. Tu’i’onetoa survived the Vote of No Confidence because the submission was not well organised. It was mostly organised by PTOA (Democrat) supporters in New Zealand, but failed to gain much traction among MPs in Tonga.
Hon. Tu’i’onetoa was widely criticised for the highly questionable tactics surrounding the roading project, his failure to act against the Lavulavus and his “prayer cruises” around Tonga which were meant to ward off Covid-19, but which saw politicians benefitting from feasts, gifts and travel allowances.
After the next general election he was dumped and support switched to Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, who now faces his own vote.
Comment
This is one of the most interesting Votes of No Confidence in Tonga’s Parliamentary history given that 10 MPs now support the vote of no confidence and they only need two MPs to complete the 13 MPs needed to win the vote.
Reports this week show that 11 MPs now support the vote.
At the same time, the Prime Minister only has 10 Ministers in his Cabinet. However, two of them cannot vote for him since they were appointed from outside by the Prime Minister.
PM Hu’akavameiliku therefore only has eight MPs and has to get five from the people and nobility benches to support him to survive the vote.
Meanwhile, there are two ministerial posts which are still vacant and the king has yet to appoint the PM’s nominations of two new ministers for those posts. This is another issue for PM Hu’akavameiliku to face, as it appears the king is unhappy with him.
Rules of votes of no confidence
Every motion for a Vote of No Confidence tabled in the House must be signed by at least 10 MPs.
The VONC rules also stipulate the motion be put to a vote within five working days from the time it is tabled.
Parliament will meet next Tuesday, September 5 at 10am Tongan time.
The Prime Minister submitted a written response to the motion on Friday. It will be read out in Parliament before MPs debate the motion.
Tuesday’s sitting will be livestreamed on the Legislative Assembly’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.
