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Acting Speaker says he could resign as gov’t sends question on lawfulness of Lord Tu‘ilakepa’s appointment to its legal adviser

By
Kalino Latu
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Acting Speaker Lord Tu’ilakepa said in Parliament he was prepared to resign if the government bench no longer wanted him.

Lord Tu’ilakepa was reluctant to step in and replace Speaker Lord Fakafanua on Tuesday’s afternoon sessions after Kaniva news published a report last week quoting the Police Minister  as saying it appeared his position was unconstitutional.

The king’s noble said an act of impeachment against him was being processed.

He told the House some cabinet ministers did not want him to continue in the position.

He moved the House postpone the session if legal action was being taken against him.

Cabinet position

The Minister of Police, Hon. Tapueluelu, confirmed in Parliament that cabinet had passed a resolution to take legal action on the appointment of the Acting Speaker.

He said it was an “opinion” of the government that the Noble’s appointment was illegal and cabinet had asked the government’s legal adviser to begin work on the issue.

Lord Tu’ilakepa attempted to counter the claim and asked the Minister if the Acting Speaker was different from the position of Deputy Prime Minister.

Hon. Tapueluelu said they were different according to the Constitution, but he did not provide the details.

The Chair of the Whole House Committee, Veivosa Taka, told Lord Tu’ilakepa he could continue as Acting Speaker until the courts made a ruling on the issue.

Lord Tu’ilakepa agreed to the suggestion.

Speaker Lord Fakafanua said this morning the Acting Speaker was appointed according to Parliament’s law book.

He asked Parliament MPs to avoid any further discussion on the matter.

Attack on Kaniva news

The Speaker has come forward and clarified Parliament’s position on the issue after his Chief Secretary Gloria Pole’o attacked Kaniva news after we reported the case last week.

We were quite clearly reporting what the Police Minister told Television Tonga  about how the government and its legal adviser in New Zealand interpreted the Constitution and its relation to the rules on Parliamentary procedures.

In our story we said: “Lord Tu’ilakepa’s appointment as Acting Speaker may have been unconstitutional, the Police Minister has claimed.”

Our story was published about two weeks after the story was originally carried by Television Tonga.

However, the Chief Clerk did not mention the Minister of Police or Television Tonga when she attempted to refute our story.

She said: “The Office of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga refutes the claim published on the website Kaniva Tonga that “the Lord Tu’ilakepa’s appointment as Acting Speaker may have been unconstitutional according to Clause 61(4) of the Constitution.”

Tonga Broadcasting Commission, which owns Television Tonga, has published the Chief Secretary’s statement on its news website without saying that the story was originally carried by its television channel.

The main points

  • Acting Speaker Lord Tu’ilakapa said in Parliament he was prepared to resign if the government bench no longer wanted him.
  • Lord Tu’ilakepa was reluctant to step in and replace Speaker Lord Fakafanua on Tuesday’s afternoon sessions after Kaniva news published a report last week quoting the Police Minister  as saying it appeared his position was unconstitutional.

For more information

Parliament denies Kaniva’s report on Police Minister’s claims about Acting Speaker
Appointment of Acting Speaker who blocked bills may have been unconstitutional, Minister claims

One high profile drug case ends in Tonga while another begins

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Radio New Zealand International

Tonga’s Supreme Court has dismissed a high profile drug case on the grounds that the accused is in ill health.

Tiuke Mahoni of Ma’ufanga had been charged with possession of methamphetamine and cannabis, as well as attempting to distribute them.

But according to a plea from prosecutors, which was also endorsed by outgoing Attorney General ‘Aminiasi Kefu, the 55-year-old is too ill to stand trial.

Justice Charles Cato dismissed the case and Mr Mahoni has returned to the United States to continue treatment.

Meanwhile, two high ranking Customs officials have been arrested on drugs charges and are awaiting trial.

In addition, a Ngele’ia man, alleged to be one of the main drug dealers in Tonga, has also been arrested.

Over the past month, the street value of drugs seized by police has surpassed $US4.3 million.

Israel Folau offers lifeline with Tonga rugby

By
Kaniva Staff
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(News.au.com) Israel Folau may still have a future in rugby even if he loses his legal battle with Rugby Australia.

It has emerged that Tonga coach and former Wallaby Toutai Kefu has broached the notion of Folau joining the island nation for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, after his brother John does so this year in Japan.

The ex-Wallabies No. 8 said that contact has been made with Folau about playing for Tonga following the dual international’s sacking by Rugby Australia for breaching his contract.

“We’d love to have him — the next World Cup he’d be available for us hopefully.” Kefu told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“It’s a long time away, so we’ll let the dust settle a bit after his most recent issues.

Rugby Union: Waratahs assistant coach Steve Tandy says it is time for the Tahs to move on from …

“We don’t even know if he’s going to play again. He hasn’t indicated where he is going, so we’ll wait until the dust settles and then look at those options.

“He’d have to sit out three years and then even after that we’d have to re-qualify him through a sevens Olympic qualifying tournament.”

Given Folau has already represented Australia, he cannot switch immediately and play for another country. However, once he sits out three years he could then qualify for Tonga by playing in a sevens tournament that doubles as an Olympic qualifying event.

Super Rugby: Rod Kafer rips into Israel Folau for damaging the game as the ugly off-field saga …

Meanwhile, Folau’s brother John is in line to qualify for Tonga at this year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan, after parting ways with the Waratahs following his sibling’s sacking.

The plan is for John Folau to feature at the Pacific Nations Cup, which begins next month, with Tonga facing Samoa, Japan and Canada.

“He’s definitely on our radar and we’ve already spoken to him,” Kefu said.

“I’ve actually never seen him play but I’ve got a playing history of him.

“We’re going to look at him and even may take him to the PNC because we’ve got some holes in our squad, especially out wide in the backs. There’s a good chance he will be part of that squad.

“You look at what he has done; he’s played in the NRL for a couple of years and he’s been on the fringe of Super Rugby for a couple of years. He definitely qualifies because he’s got a Tongan passport.

“If he’s played in those competitions before he’s certainly good enough to have a trial for us and then we can see whether he is good enough to be part of that Rugby World Cup squad.”

The latest twist in Folau’s ongoing battle with Rugby Australia came at the weekend when he accused them of leaking confidential information pertaining to his Code of Conduct hearing, as the relationship between the former star and the governing body got even uglier.

Originally published as Israel Folau offered rugby lifeline

Convicted fraudster ordered to pay back TP$8200 after prison sentence suspended

By
Philip Cass
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The Supreme Court has sentenced a man to a two year suspended sentence and ordered him to pay back thousands of pa’anga on a series of fraud and forgery charges.

Sepuloni Mateo appeared before Judge L.M.Niu for sentencing.

The court was told Mateo was working for Pacific Forum Line and had begun drinking heavily with his friends.

Niu said when Raymond Yu enquired about purchasing  an empty container, Mateo saw a way to cheat him by selling him a container that was not his or his employer’s.

He planned to keep the money for himself to fund his drinking.

The court was told Mateo had earlier pleaded guilty to the following charges:

  • Obtaining money by false pretences by obtaining TP$8200 from Raymond Yu by representing  to him  that  Pacific  Forum  Line  was  selling him a particular container when the container did not belong to Pacific Forum Line.
  • Forgery in that he created a false invoice for $8250 purporting to be issued by Pacific Forum Line in order that Raymond Yu would act on it as a genuine invoice.
  • Knowingly dealing with a forged document in that he gave the forged invoice to Raymond Yu as if it was a genuine invoice of   Pacific Forum Line.
  • Forgery in that he created a false receipt for $4200 as having been issued by Pacific Forum Line in order that Raymond Yu would act on it as a genuine receipt of Pacific Forum Line.
  • Knowingly dealing with a forged document in that he gave the forged receipt for $4200 to Raymond Yu as a genuine receipt of Pacific Forum Line.
  • Forgery in that he created a false receipt for $4000 as having been issued by Pacific Forum Line in order that Raymond Yu would act on it as a genuine receipt of Pacific Forum Line.
  • Knowingly dealing with a forged document in that he gave the forged receipt for $4000 to Raymond Yu as a genuine receipt of  Pacific Forum Line.

Mateo was sentenced to two years in jail on the first count, one year for the second charge, six months on the third charge, one year on the fourth count, six months on the fifth count, one year on the sixth charge and six months on the seventh count.

All sentences were to be served concurrently, but were suspended

Judge Finau said a suspended  sentence would hang over Mateo as an assurance that if he committed another offence he would go to prison and serve his sentence in full.

“It will also serve to discipline you to pay your indebtedness and to teach you indelibly that you must not do this ever again and thereby make yourself a better young man,” the judge said.

“But most importantly you will not have money to spare and to use for drinking, the folly which had led you into this mess.”

Mateo was ordered to pay Yu TP$100 no later than 6pm of every Friday until a total sum of TP$8200 had been paid.

The main points

  • The Supreme Court has sentenced a man to a two year suspended sentence and ordered him to pay back TP$8200 restitution on a series of fraud and forgery charge.
  • Sepuloni Mateo appeared before Judge L.M.Niu for sentencing.

Jason Taumalolo, Andrew Fifita to lead strong Mate Ma’a Tonga team into clash with Kiwis

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Radio New Zealand International

Tonga rugby league coach Krisitian Woolf has named five potential debutants in his 22 man squad for the upcoming international against New Zealand on 22 June.

The new faces in the squad include North Queensland utility John Asiata who has already played two internationals for Samoa.

The other players who could don the Mate Ma’a Tonga jersey for the first time are Manly’s Manase Fainu, Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs, Gold Coast Titans’ prop Moeaki Fotuaika and Sydney Rooster Sitili Tupouniua.

While the majority of the squad ply their trade in Australia’s NRL, half Tuimoala Lolohea, will travel from his British club Leeds to take part in the Auckland test.

World Cup representatives Ata Hingano and Mahe Fonua were unavailable through injury. Team stalwart and former captain Sika Manu has also retired from international play.

Brisbane’s Joe Ofahengaue and Ben Murdoch Masila of the Warrington Wolves played in the historic test against Australia last year but are not in the squad.

However, Kristian Woolf said he was pleased with the squad he has been able to assemble.

“We have had a good core of players for Mate Ma’a Tonga team since the 2017 World Cup and we have been able to add some more depth this year,” he said.

The final squad will be named after this weekend’s NRL round.

The match will be the first time Tonga and New Zealand have met since the MMT upset the Kiwis 28-22 at the World Cup in Hamilton.

Last year Tonga travelled to Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium to take on the world champion Australians, eventually going down 34-16.

Tonga’s Andrew Fifita and Tevita Pangai Junior celebrate their upset win over the Kiwis at the 2017 World Cup. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Mate Ma’a Tonga team:

John Asiata (North Queensland Cowboys)

Manase Fainu (Manly Sea Eagles)

Andrew Fifita (Cronulla Sharks)

Addin Fonua-Blake (Manly Sea Eagles)

Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans)

David Fusitu’a (NZ Warriors)

Siliva Havili (Canberra Raiders)

Tuimoala Lolohea (Leeds Rhinos)

Will Hopoate (Canterbury Bulldogs)

Michael Jennings (Parramatta Eels)

Robert Jennings (Wests Tigers)

Solomone Kata (NZ Warriors)

Sione Katoa (Penrith Panthers)

Manu Ma’u (Parramatta Eels)

Tevita Pangai Junior (Brisbane Broncos)

Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)

Tevita Tatola (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Siosiua Taukeiaho (Sydney Roosters)

Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys)

Peni Terepo (Parramatta Eels)

Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters)

Sitili Tupouniua (Sydney Roosters)

The Pope wants to visit Iraq next year in what would be the first papal trip there

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By JAMES GANT FOR MAILONLINE and REUTERS

Pope Francis has said he wants to travel to Iraq next year, which would be the first ever papal trip there.

The pontiff made the improvised remark in an address to members of a group of charities that help Christians in the Middle East and other areas.

He said: ‘A constant thought accompanies me when I think of Iraq. Where I have the will to go next year.’

Wars and conflicts have led to an exodus of Christians in Iraq and some other countries in the Middle East.

Iraq’s small Christian population of several hundred thousand suffered particular hardships when Islamic State controlled large parts of the country, but have recovered freedoms since the jihadists were pushed out.

Iraq is home to many different eastern rite churches, both Catholic and Orthodox.

In 2000, the late Pope John Paul wanted to visit the ancient Iraqi city of Ur, traditionally held to be the birthplace of Abraham. 

It was to have been the first leg of a three-step pilgrimage to Iraq, Egypt and Israel.

But negotiations with the government of then Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein broke down and he was unable to go.

Samoa Fa’afafine Association protests censor of Elton John film

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Radio New Zealand International

LGBTI rights advocates in Samoa are protesting against the censoring of the Elton John biopic Rocketman.

Samoa’s only cinema revealed the ban on Friday on its Facebook page and employees told local media it was due to the portrayal of gay sex in the film.

In conservative Samoa – where around 98 percent of people identify as Christian – same-sex sexual relations are criminalised, although related laws are unenforced.

Churches also wield considerable influence on communities and institutions.

According to one local businessman who has attended annual meetings of Samoa’s Censorship Board, the body consistently bans content going against Christian values but especially any LGBTI content. The businessman requested anonymity to discuss the matter.

Alex Su’a, president of the Samoa Fa’afafine Association, said the Censorship Board’s policies were discriminatory.

“On the many other movies that I’ve seen being sold in DVD shops and what I’ve seen in cinemas, a lot of it is not really based on Christian principles or values,” he said, adding that LGBTI content seemed to be the only content which was censored.

Tuisina Ymania Brown, co-secretary general of the International LGBTI Association, said the censoring of Rocketman would hurt local non-binary communities in Samoa.

“There are young LGBTI fa’afine and fa’asama living in Samoa who probably are struggling with their sexual identity and their sexual orientation,” she said.

“Maybe if they can go see such a film and if it helps them progress further and make them snap out of whatever moment they’re in and lead a full and happy life and contribute as a citizen of Samoa, why are we witholding these works of art?”

The Censorship Board could not be reached for comment.

Gov’t refutes king’s “no economic vision” speech; Finance Minister details economic plans

By
Kalino Latu
-

The government has a clear economic vision for the country, despite the king saying there did not appear to be one, Parliament was told yesterday.

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, told Parliament the government’s economic vision was put under the second part of the Tonga Strategic Development Framework, which runs from 2015 – 2025.

It was a national vision titled: “A more progressive Tonga supporting higher quality of life for all”, Hon. Tu’i’onetoa said.

The Minister made his comments in the House after King Tupou VI said during a speech to open Parliament on May 30 that the economy seemed to suffer from a lack of vision.

The Minister told the House the government had created nine goals under the national vision as launch pads for implementing its economic activities for the next three years including the new financial year which will begin in July, and the remaining two years of the government’s term of office.

The Minister was only able to talk about two of the nine goals in Parliament before his time was up. The Speaker told him he could continue on the following day.

The first goal was an improvement of the government’s public services made under public sector reform.  The government wanted to understand the outcomes it gained from its spending and products made.

He said the government sectors were expected to follow these reforms according to laws and guidelines to encourage better public services and good governance.

These could only work in a  good governmental and political structure and the six new bills the government recently submitted to the House were part of the government’s vision to make its public sector reform a success, Hon. Tu’i’onetoa said .

The appointment of the Attorney General which came into effect  in June 2019 was part of this reform.

The Minister said the government wanted  to deliver better education and health support to the smaller outer islands through the internet. He said the internet fibre cable did not reach these islands and work was underway to install a government sponsored satellite company to cater for the plan.

The government was  also working to  develop the informal sector.

Hon Tu’i’onetoa said it was important to look after poor  people and urge them to trade and move into the formal sector.

The Minister said that doing so could create more economic activities which could boost the economy as a whole. 

“It is estimated 80 per cent or over of the country are in this category,” the Minister told Parliament.

“This was a vision of the Prime Minister and the government to develop this sector so that people could work hard and trade.”

Hon Tu’i’onetoa said it had been proved worldwide that  this policy could help these people to have a better life. 

The foreword to the government’s budget for 2018/19 said:

“The strategic thrust for the 2018/19 budget is to promote growth, enhance economic diversification, and create job opportunities, which are necessary to improve the standard of living of Tongans.”

The Minster said some of these reforms and vision to develop the country’s economy could take years before they showed  outcomes.

Ninety Mile Beach meth importing trial: Guilty verdicts for both accused

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Denise Piper , stuff.co.nz

A man and a woman are facing jail after being found guilty of importing meth discovered during New Zealand’s largest ever drugs bust.

Stevie Cullen and Selaima Fakaosilea were both charged with importing methamphetamine and participating in an organised criminal group, charges which carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The jury found they were guilty on all four charges after a six-week trial.

The charges relate to the landing of 501kg of methamphetamine at Ninety Mile Beach in the Far North in June 2016, the country’s largest ever drug bust.

The jury of eight women and four men have been considering the case in the High Court in Whangārei for the last six weeks.

There were tears in the public gallery as the guilty verdicts were delivered, from family members of Fakaosilea who had attended much of the trial.

Fakaosilea said to her family “I love you” as she was lead away, while Cullen remained quiet.

The trial officially began on April 29, but problems with empanneling the jury and the sickness of jury members meant several days were lost in the trial.

Over the last six weeks, the jury has heard evidence from nearly 50 witnesses, including 44 from the Crown. Cullen also took to the stand.

The Crown argued Cullen, known by the codename Marvel, was in the Far North in the lead-up to the import, carrying out key activities for the organised criminal group, including researching marine conditions, booking hotel rooms and helping with the boat launch.

The Crown argued Fakaosilea, known by the codename Blaze, played a logistics role from Auckland, organising the hiring of vehicles, obtaining toolboxes and overseeing the distribution of drugs for “buckets” of cash.

But Cullen’s defence counsel Annabel Maxwell-Scott argued that while Cullen was in the Far North, he thought he was on a spiritual journey and a boys’ trip to spread a brother’s ashes.

Fakaosilea’s defence counsel Maria Pecotic said there was no evidence she knew what was going on from Auckland and, while she had pleaded guilty to later distributing Class A drugs, she had no involvement with the import.

Both were remanded in custody for sentencing, which will take place on July 12 at the High Court in Whangārei.

The end of the trial wraps up a three-year investigation by the police’s National Organised Crime Group, after the country’s largest ever drug bust.

Six people have already pleaded guilty to their roles in the importation.

If sold in 1kg lots, the 501kg of meth would be worth between $130 million and $150 million.

Justice Christine Gordon QC thanked the jury for their time and conscientiousness in the trial, which was supposed to last four to five weeks.

Stuff

Brisbane’s ‘Alovili Home founder to participate in Tonga’s Miss Heilala Pageant 2019

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The founder of Brisbane’s ‘Alovili Home, Ms Melefifita Percilla Jane ‘Alovili, will be participating in the 2019 Miss Heilala Pageant in the Kingdom of Tonga.

The ‘Alovili Home was established by Melefifita on 15 May 2018 with the goal to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention focussing on Pacific Islander people living in Australia. 

Melefifita has inspired hundreds of people with her story of triumph and victory over traumatic circumstances in her own life. ‘Alovili Home’s motto is “love has no barriers and tradition embraces innovation” and is currently receiving up to five new enquiries daily. ‘Alovili Home works around the clock to refer these enquiries to the appropriate service providers in Australia. 

Melefifita was already a runner up in the 2019 Miss Tonga Australia pageant and has now set her sights on the renowned Miss Heilala Pageant in Nuku‘alofa.  

Melefifita said “I am so grateful to have this platform to share my message of hope and educate our people in topics that are unfortunately stigmatised and to be a voice for those who are still trying to find their own.”  

“Our vision and goals for the future of ‘Alovili Home is to educate our people here and abroad to eventually build teams to take our message to our Island homes and educate our people there, that’s just one part of our goal, we have so many more, but this is what we hope to achieve first,” Melefifita added.  

The Miss Heilala Pageant is a popular feature of the Kingdom’s annual Heilala Festival and this year coincides with the 60th birthday celebrations of His Majesty King Tupou VI.   

Media Contact: Sulieni Layt via email on brisbanetongancommunity@gmail.com or mobile on +61(0) 420 639 764. 

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