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Tongan death row inmate returns to court in death of US police officer

By
International Media
-

The man convicted of murdering University of Nevada, Reno Police Officer George Sullivan will get one more day in court to review whether he should face the death penalty.

Siaosi Vanisi was convicted of ambushing Sgt. Sullivan in his patrol car and killing him with an axe on Jan. 13, 1998. The jury sentenced him to die for the crime.

The Nevada Supreme Court has already upheld the conviction but this past week sent the case back for an evidentiary hearing to decide whether Vanisi was prejudiced by his appellate lawyer’s failure to investigate and present possible mitigating evidence that could have prevented jurors from imposing the death sentence.

Instead, post-conviction lawyers decided to pursue a motion challenging Vanisi’s mental competency, which the high court unanimously agreed was “objectively unreasonable.”

They directed the district court to address “whether trial counsel should have discovered and presented the (mitigation) evidence as well as whether there was a reasonable probability of a different outcome at the penalty hearing had this additional mitigation evidence been presented.”

But the Supreme Court rejected more than a dozen other challenges to Vanisi’s conviction and sentence, including the argument he should have been allowed to plead insanity.

“Vanisi was not in a delusional state such that he could not know or understand the nature and capacity of his act,” the court wrote. The court order points out that Vanisi repeatedly told others he planned to murder a police officer and steal his weapon and radio, that he ambushed the victim at night and fled Nevada, before being arrested in Utah.

“These actions indicate that Vanisi appreciated the wrongfulness of his actions and that post conviction counsel did not act unreasonably in not pursuing (an insanity claim),” the court wrote.

Tongans remain top overstayers, despite fall in overall figures

By
Philip Cass
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Tongans remain the top overstayers in New Zealand, despite a marked drop in the number of Tongans remaining here illegally.

The  number of Tongan and Samoan overstayers has dropped significantly according to a new report.

Massey University sociologist Paul Spoonley told the New Zealand Herald there were more than  6000 fewer overstayers from these two countries since 2000.

The drop is part of a fall from about 20,000 overstayers a decade ago to 10,894.

The fallen in the number of Tongan and Samoan overstayers accounted for 63 per cent of the drop, Professor Spoonley said.

Overstayer numbers had nearly halved from around 20,000 a decade ago to 10,894.

Legal migration from Samoa and Tonga was about 3000 per year.

The Recognised Employer Scheme had provided a legal employment option, especially for Tongans.

Immigration New Zealand said most of the overstayers were previously on a visitor visa (6735), followed by work visas (1981) and student visas (1523).

During the run-up to last month’s national election the Maori Party had an amnesty for overstayers as one of the plans of its election platform.

As Kaniva News reported at the time, Maori Party candidate Pakilau o Aotearoa Manase, whose parents were Tongan overstayers, described himself  as “a son of the dawn raids.”

Last year Immigration New Zealand reported that the number of overstayers had fallen from 20,657 in 2000 to 10,848.

However, the number of Chinese overstayers had risen by 119 percent since 2000, according to last year’s report.

The number of overstayers from India had also  not fallen.

The main points

  • Tongans remain the top overstayers in New Zealand, despite a marked drop in the number of Tongans remaining here illegally.
  • The number of Tongan and Samoan overstayers has dropped significantly according to a new report.
  • The New Zealand Herald reported that there were more than  6000 fewer overstayers from these two countries since 2000.
  • Legal migration from Samoa and Tonga was about 3000 per year.

For more information 

Immigration: Overstayer numbers have nearly halved from ten years ago

Number of overstayers plummets

Woman gets suspended sentence in insurance embezzlement case

By
Kalino Latu
-

Lord Chief Justice O.G. Paulsen has sentenced a 21-year-old woman to up to 23 months in prison, then suspended that sentence and ordered 60 hours of community service plus 12 months’ probation work.

Sālome Pousini was arrested and charged after she had embezzled T$73,276 in insurance company funds.

The 21-year-old was employed by the insurance company (FAT) as an office co­ordinator.

FAT was owned by the complainant who was only referred to in court document as TM, TM’s husband and one other person.

From March 2016 until her dismissal in July 2016 Miss Pousini was employed as a loan officer for a related finance company (FFL).

An amount of around $4,000 was unaccounted for at FFL and TM blamed Miss Pousini and said it was her responsibility to repay it.

The counsels agreed for the judge to proceed with sentencing on the basis that 14 cheques drawn on FAT’s bank accounts totalled T$73,276

Of that sum T$38,426 was paid to TM.

Miss Pousini took T$34,400 for herself while she used T$41, 000 to repay a shortfall and T$1,000 to make up an amount required by TM.

“Of the balance the Police have recovered a motorcar purchased with this money for T$8,900 and T$6,532 which was held in the  bank account of a friend of Miss Pousini.

“That leaves a sum of approximately T$15,000 unaccounted for”, the court was told.

The judge referred to the missing money at FAT as ‘shortfall’.

“Miss Pousini did not believe she was responsible for the shortfall and she has never been charged with taking this money”, Mr. Paulsen said.

“Miss Pousini was concerned about the allegation and the obligation to repay such a large sum and offered to resign and was surprised when TM persuaded her not to do so.”

TM had signing authority on FAT’s bank accounts with ANZ and the Bank of the South Pacific.

“She advised Miss  Pousini  that  she intended to withdraw money from FAT’s accounts for her own requirements.

“Over the period 6 May 2016 to  5 July  2016 TM gave Miss Pousini 14 signed blank cheques.

“TM instructed Miss Pousini that she required specific amounts from the bank.

“She told Miss Pousini to complete the cheques for that amount along with an additional amount for herself.

“Miss Pousini then completed the cheques, cashed the cheques at the bank and gave TM the amount she required.

“The balance of the money was used for her own purposes.

“Miss Pousini says, and I accept for present purposes, that TM told her that the additional amounts could be used to repay the shortfall, repay a loan that Miss Pousini had taken out with another related entity and also as a ‘bonus’ for herself”, Mr Paulsen said.

Miss Pousini was a first time offender, of good character and from a good family, who was naive and under the influence and control of TM and not fully comprehending of the significance or consequence of her actions, her legal counsel told the court.

In sentencing Miss Pousini Justice Paulsen said: “On the count of embezzlement Miss Pousini is convicted and sentenced to 1 year and 5 months imprisonment.

“On the count of money laundering she is sentenced to six months imprisonment to be served concurrently. These sentences are fully suspended subject to conditions that:

“Miss Pousini is not to commit any further offences punishable by imprisonment for a period of 2 years.

“Miss Pousini is to serve 12 months’ probation.

“Miss Pousini is to do 60 hours of community work undertaking general cleaning of public places on such days and at such times as directed by the Probation Service but no less than 4 hours on each occasion.

Miss Pousini is to report to the Probation Service Office at Kausela Road, Nuku’alofa before 9am on 15 September 2017.”

Islanders have most to lose in North Korean nuclear crisis says Samoan PM

By
Philip Cass
-

Samoan Prime Minister Tu’ilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi has warned that Pacific nations have the most to lose in the unfolding crisis between North Korea and the United States.

North Korea has now threatened to detonate a hydrogen bomb in the Pacific as part of its escalating dispute with the United states.

Radio New Zealand quoted Malielegaoi today as saying Pacific nations were no longer protected by their isolation.

He said if the hydrogen bomb was detonated, the US and North Korea would have started a war which might be the end of the world.

But an American scientist said on the weekend that  if North Korea detonated a hydrogen bomb underwater, the main effects would be psychological.

“A lot of this is going to be more psychological than the radiological hazard,” Marine geochemist Ken Buesseler told PBS Newshour.

“Since you can’t smell or feel or taste the radioactivity, if people think even small amounts are in their food, they panic. Sometimes panic is the proper response, and sometimes it’s not needed if the levels are low enough.”

Nicholas S. Fisher, a marine biogeochemist at Stony Brook University told the highly regarded news programme that residual radioactivity from an underwater blast would be less than from similar tests in the 1960s.

Radioactivity from a North Korean test would be dispersed by ocean currents.

Fisher said every party of the Pacific contained residual radioactivity from those tests, but the level of radioactivity was too low to cause problems.

He said nuclear weapons testing amounted to one percent of the radioactivity in the ocean.

However, a high altitude test, such as detonating a bomb carried on a missile, could cause far more serious problems.

Laura Grego, a physicist and nuclear weapons expert with the Union of Concerned Scientists said it could knockout satellites either through the initial blast or through residual radiation in the ensuing weeks.

She said between five and 20 percent of the 800 satellites in low orbit would “instantly fry.”

Not everybody is sanguine about the results of a hydrogen bomb tests.

The American surface hydrogen bomb tests in the Marshall Islands in 1946 led to widespread radioactive fallout, cancer and contamination of previously inhabited islands.

Bikini Islanders were evacuated before the tests and not allowed to return until the 1970s. They were evacuated again in 1978 after ingesting high levels of radiation from eating food grown on the former nuclear test site.

The Marshall Islands Nuclear Claims Tribunal awarded more than $US2 billion to settle injury and land damage claims arising from the tests.

The main points

  • Samoan Prime Minister Tu’ilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi has warned that Pacific nations have the most to lose in the unfolding crisis between North Korea and the United States.
  • North Korea, which has now threatened to detonate a hydrogen bomb in the Pacific as part of its escalating dispute with the United states.
  • But an American scientist said on the weekend that if North Korea detonated a hydrogen bomb underwater, the main effects would be psychological.
  • “A lot of this is going to be more psychological than the radiological hazard,” Marine geochemist Ken Buesseler told PBS Newshour.

For more information  

What a North Korea hydrogen bomb would do to the Pacific Ocean and space stations

Pacific Forum leader calls for sense over North Korea

Bikini Atoll nuclear test: 60 years later and islands still unliveable

“Poignant service” held by Police to remember those who have served

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s police force held their annual memorial appreciation service on Monday, in recognition of officers who have died over the past year.

Known as Police Remembrance Day, it was commemorated throughout New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific and provides an opportunity to acknowledge their bravery and to carry their legacy on in support of their family and the community they served.

“29th September is Police Remembrance Day to honour Police men and women who have served their country, but in the last twelve months have passed away during service or retirement”, a statement releaed on Facebook by the New Zealand High Commission in Nuku’alofa.

New Zealand High Commissioner in Tonga, Sarah Walsh later tweeted and described the memorial service as “poignant”.

“Poignant service this morning remembering officers from @TongaPolice who have sadly passed away this past year. #PoliceRemembranceDay #Tonga.”

Tongan Commissioner of Police Stephen Caldwell (Left) with Minister of Police Hon. Mateni Tapueluel (far right) with family members of the late Assistant Superintendent of Police Sateki Tu’anaki.

Siasau exhibits his art showcasing The Voyage of Captain Cook to Tonga in 1773

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prominent Tongan artist, Visesio Siasau has launched his art exhibition which showcases The Voyage of Captain James Cook to Tonga.

Siasau was assisted by New Zealand artist, Serene Tay, at the Tonga National Cultural Hall, Taufa’ahau Road, Tofoa.

“The New Zealand High Commission is excited to host ‘1773 –‘Inasi – First Fruits: The Voyage of Captain James Cook to the Kingdom of Tonga’, an exhibition by Tongan artist Visesio Siasau and New Zealand artist Serene Tay”, a statement said.

Siasau and Tay’s pieces of contemporary art showcase the voyage of Captain James Cook to the  Kingdom of Tonga and his travel through the broader Pacific, including New Zealand.

Siasau is an internationally known artist who has studied and worked for many years in New Zealand.

Saisau said:  “My work is an intersection of traditional materials and ideologies with contemporary technologies and philosophies that become the dynamic system of my art practice.

“Our goal is to continue to educate and raise the capacity of contemporary Tongan arts and to create pathways for Tongan artists in an international context.

The exhibition is being held at the Tonga National Cultural Hall, Taufa’ahau Road, Tofoa.

Entry is free and all are welcome to attend.

Exhibition opening hours are:

Friday 29 September 2017             12pm – 8pm

Saturday 30 September 2017         8am – 8pm

Monday 2 September 2017             8am – 8pm

Tweet shows pregnant Dame Valerie Adams on shopping trip for her expected baby

By
Kalino Latu
-

Heavily pregnant Valerie Adams-Price has tweeted about her shopping trip for her expected baby.

Images showed the  32-year-old Olympic medallist was helped at The Shopping Factory mall by staff introducing her to a pram and what appeared to be baby clothes.

The shotput queen appeared to be in high spirits and one photo showed her standing by the driver’s door of a car outside the mall smiling while the photo was taken.

Dame Adams-Price tweeted: “Hw overwhelming is shopping for a small human? I’m so grateful #thebabyfactory were able 2 ease da anxiety of dis FTM. Feels like Xmas.”

In May Dame Adams-Price revealed she was expecting a baby in October with her husband Gabriel Price.

Earlier this month she appeared in public at a funeral of an uncle in Mt Roskill.

She tweeted a photo of her with Gabriel on Tuesday saying her hubby wore the empathy belt.

“Graduated frm our  antenatal class lastnight n @GabrielMCPrice had 2 wear the empathy belt which he handled so well???#notlongtogonow ?‍?‍?”

She told the New Zealand Herald: “We couldn’t be happier. I’ve always wanted to be a mum. This is bigger for me than any gold medal.”

“Gabe and I kept it between us for a very long time. I kind of freaked out a little bit because when you find out you start reading loads of things – and your brain naturally registers all the bad stuff.”

Dame Adams-Price’s tweets:

The main points

  • Heavily pregnant Valerie Adams-Price has tweeted about her shopping trip for her expected baby.
  • Images showed the 32-year-old Olympic medallist looking at baby clothes.
  • The shot put queen appeared to be in high spirits.

For more details 

Dame Valerie Adams expecting first child

PM Pōhiva criticises media for not covering ‘Atalanga, passport and Tongasat scandals

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva said local media were tight-lipped on Tongan passports, Tongasat and ‘Atalanga royal residence scandals.

They did not cover allegation regarding a US$25 million dollar which the former government had transferred to Princess Pilolevu’s Tongasat company, Hon. Pōhiva told a press conference in Nuku’alofa last week.

He said the issue was very important and he was thankful that a recent court decision had indicated Tongasat may have to pay the government a TP$18 million tax bill.

He said the matter had been referred to a tribunal.

Hon. Pōhiva said a royal assent was given to the former government to investigate the  Tongan passport scandals.

As Kaniva News reported the former government did not set up the commission according to the royal assent.

The Prime Minister said he had investigated the passport scandals since the 1980s, before he became a Parliament representative.

He said he did not see any of the Tongan media reporting on the story.

He said he had a copy of a royal command by late King George V for the eight hectare ‘Atalanga residence in Auckland to be controlled by one of the Ramanlal brothers, who were close to the king.

Read more:  

The Prime Minister said it was followed by a decision to sell the estate, but a caveat was put forward by Tongan lawyers in New Zealand and the sale was eventually withheld.

“My point is these are some of the most important issues for the nation as they involved very huge amount of money, but I never see any of our Tongan media reporting on them”, Hon. Pohiva said in Tongan.

Mr. Pesi Fonua, editor of Matangi Tonga online interrupted and told the Prime Minister he wanted to correct him.

He said they covered those issues starting with Tongasat and passports.

“Stop making such statements as they are wrong”, Fonua told the Prime Minister in Tongan.

He begged Hon. Pohiva to read their news so he could know what he was talking about.

Hon. Pohiva apologised and asked Fonua to forgive him, but Fonua continued on and reiterated that the Prime Minister has spoken wrongly.

“We feel we are being let down by what you were saying,” Mr. Fonua said.

Mr. Fonua did not say how did they cover those stories.

Hon. Pōhiva previously accused the royalist local media for not covering such scandals because they involved some members of the royal family and nobility.

CEO quits to pursue a parliamentary seat as final list of 86 candidates released

By
Kalino Latu
-

Kulufeinga ‘Ānisi Bloomfield has stood down as CEO of Ministry of Customs and Revenue setting the stage to chase a seat in parliament in November’s snap election.

Bloomfield spoke in front of his senior officials and staff for the last time on Tuesday during a farewell party announcing he would stand as a candidate for Vava’u 15.

“It is not easy it is a tough call but I have to take it”, he said.

He told Kaniva News he has something significant for his constituency as well as the nation as a whole.

“I have contributed some of the best policies ever to the Ministry of Customs and Revenue”, he said.

Bloomfield said he would release his contribution and what he had created as guidelines and policies during his time with the Ministry shortly.

“I think it is important for the people to know about it”, he said.

The Electoral Commission has officially released the final candidate list today for the November 16 election.

Eighty six candidates were vying for only 17 seats for people’s Members of Parliament.

The list of candidates for 2017 general election.

TONGATAPU I

  1. Sione TÅ«kia, Tufuenga
  2. Mōsese Teukiveuloto Manuofetoa, Kolomotu’a
  3. ‘Eliesa Fifita, Tufuenga
  4. Netatua Prescott , Kolomotu’a
  5. Sione Keuate Tupouniua, Kolomotu’a
  6. ‘Ana Kanume Bing Fonua, Hala’ovave
  7. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pōhiva, Sopu-‘O- Tauta’āhau
  8. Barry Smith Taukolo, Longolongo
  9. Siale ‘Ataongo Puloka, Longolongo
  10. Ofo-Mei-Vaha Tupou Niumeitolu, Kolomotu’a
  11. Siotame Drew Havea, Kolomotu’a

TONGATAPU 2

  1. Fisi’ipeau Faiva, Kolofo’ou
  2. ‘Ema Reverangi Fonua Stephenson, Fanga-‘O-Pilolevu
  3. SÄ“misi Kioa Lafu Sika, Haveluloto
  4. Sione Tu’itavake Fonua, Kolofo’ou
  5. Soane Patita  Vakautafofine Fifita, Haveluloto

TONGATAPU3

  1. Tonga Soane. Mataika
  2. Katalina Tohi, Ngele’ia
  3. TÄ“vita Palu, FasiMoeAfi
  4. Sitīveni Halapua, Mataika
  5. Mele Teusivi ‘Amanakl, Ma’ ufanga
  6. Siaosi ‘Ofa Ki Vahafolou Sovaleni,  Ngele’ia

TONGATAPU4

  1. Poli Tuaileva, Ma’ufanga
  2. Māteni Tapueluelu, Houmakelikao
  3. ‘Isileli Pulu, Fangaloto
  4. Litia Simpson, Fangaloto
  5. TÄ“vita Mateitalo Makameimoana Motulalo, ‘Ananā
  6. Seketi Fo’ou Fuko, Ma’ufanga

TONGATAPU 5

  1. ‘Ana Hau’alofa’ia Koloto, Nukunuku
  2. Losaline Mā’asi, Ha’avakatolo
  3. Viliami. K. Māngisi, Ha’avakatolo
  4. ‘Aisake Valu Eke, Vaotu’u
  5. Fe’ofa’aki Taufonua LātÅ«, Nukunuku

TONGATAPU 6

  1. Siosifa Tu’itupou TÅ«’utafaiva, Ha’akame
  2. Sione Tatafu Angakehe Tafuna, Matangiake
  3. Poasi Mataele Tei, Hōfoa
  4. Fisi’itotoa ‘Ahohiva Kaufusi, ‘Utulau
  5. Sōane Taiofonongahina ‘Ahio, Houma

TONGATAPU 7

  1. Sione HÅ«fanga, Pea
  2. Sione Vuna Fā’otusia, Ha’ateiho
  3. ‘Olikoni Tānaki, Ha’ateiho
  4. Mavaetangi Manavahētau, Tokomololo
  5. Talanoa Fuka Kitekei’aho, Ha’ateiho
  6. TÄ“vita Silatolu, Pea
  7. Sione Sangstar Saulala, Tofoa

TONGATAPU 8

  1. Viliami Kilisimasi Tāufa, Vainī
  2. Viliami Sisifā, Vainī
  3. Mosa’ati Vaipulu, Malapo
  4. Penisimani Teisina, Vainī
  5. SÄ“misi Tauelangi Fakahau, Folaha

TONGATAPU 9

  1. Penisimani ‘Epenisa Fifita, Tatakamotonga
  2. TÄ«mote Tu’iono ‘Oliveti Laume, Fua’amotu
  3. Vika Vaka Fusimālohi, Tatakamotonga
  4. Siamelia Lātū, Tatakamotonga

TONGATAPU 10

  1. Soane Kautai, Lapaha
  2. Daniel Kimball Fale, Lapaha
  3. Loupua Kulī, Lapaha
  4. Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa, Makaunga

‘EUA11

  1. SÅ«nia Manu Fili, ‘Ohonua
  2. Hale Telepo, ‘Ohonua
  3. Silivia Loumaile Ma’ake, Angahā
  4. Sunia Kauvaka Havea, ‘Ohonua
  5. Taniela Fusimālohi ‘Ohonua
  6. TÄ“vlta Lavemaau, PÄ“tani

HA’APAI 12

  1. Vili Manuopangai Faka’osilula Hingano, ‘Uiha
  2. FÄ«nau Pulotu Uata, Hihifo
  3. Mo’ale FÄ«nau,Hihifo

HA’APAI 13

  1. ‘Ä’safe Hema LātÅ«, Nomuka
  2. Veivosa Light of Life Taka, Faleloa
  3. ‘Elikisoni Langi , Faleloa

VAVA’ U 14

  1. Mātini Fatanitavake M.V.T. Veikune, Longomapu
  2. Saia Ma’u Piukala, Pangaimotu
  3. Lātū Niua Lepolo, Falevai

VAVA’U15

  1. Kulu Feinga  ‘Ä€nisi  Bloomfield,  Neiafu
  2. Tongovua Fifita, Fungamisi
  3. Sinali Fe’iloaki Hansen, Neiafu
  4. Tomifā Fainga’a Paea, Fungamisi
  5. Keuli Pasina Lāvaki, Neiafu
  6. Sāmiu Kiuta Vaipulu, Neiafu

VAVA’U 16

  1. ‘ AkostlaLavulavu,Leimātu’a
  2. Viliami Uasikē Latu, Leimatu’a
  3. ‘ Atalasa Misilemoti Pouvalu, Feletoa
  4. ‘Aisea SilivÄ“nusi, Leimātu’a
  5. Viliami Lolohea,Houma

ONGO NIUA 17

  1. Vātau Mefi Hui, Falehau
  2. Sōsefo Fe’aomoeata Vakatā, Vaipoa

King’s judicial committee causes instability in the country, Justice Minister says

By
Kalino Latu
-

The judicial committee which advised the king in Privy Council has caused instability in Tonga, Justice Minister Vuna Fā’otusia has claimed.

“These committee members were people we did not know of,” the Minister told a press conference in Nuku’alofa last week.

They were not chosen by the people, he said.

The committee was chaired by Lord Dalgety of Sikotilani Tonga and few other law lords, the Minister said.  

Hon. Fā’otusia said many of the amendments to laws and the constitution passed by Parliament were vetoed by His Majesty because of this judicial committee.

“If the judicial committee did not agree with laws and  amendments to the constitutions which were already passed by the Parliament that’s the end of it” the Minister said. 

“You do not know this, but I would like to tell you….after the amendments and laws were passed by Parliament they were not submitted directly to the king to sign. Instead they were submitted to this judicial committee,” Hon. Fā’otusia said.

He said the committee then asked two questions about these laws or constitutional amendments and if they answered “no” to one of them, the king would not sign it.

They asked if these laws and amendments were “appropriate” for the nation. They also asked whether the amendments of the new laws were “constitutional” or not, the Minister said.

Hon. Fā’otusia, who looked concern while he was speaking to the conference, put it to the reporters to think about what he had said.

“You did not choose these people”, he told the conference.

The Minister said these laws and amendments had been submitted by Members of Parliament and they were discussed in the House by both people’s and nobles’ MPs. The government’s lawyers and solicitors also had their say on them.

The process involved important people of the nation, the Minister said.

But when they were submitted to the king they ended up in the hands of these committee members, the Minister said.

“This process and this committee have caused instability in this country,” Hon. Fā’otusia said.

“The only thing you know was that the laws were vetoed by the King, but you did not know it was this committee that had advised the king to do so.”

Government submissions

Hon. Fā’otusia said that was why the government proposed to amend the constitution so that the cabinet become members of the Privy Council.

This was to allow the ministers to talk and discuss directly with the king any laws or any amendments to the constitution right from the beginning to the end before the king chose to sign it or not.

He said it was a good idea to get the king involved in the process right from the start so he could really understand why MPs wanted to make or amend those laws.

The Minister said the goverment also proposed to amend the constitution so the Prime Minister could propose  to the king candidates they thought appropriate to become Tongan ambassadors to foreign countries.

Hon. Fā’otusia said the proposal was not to remove the king’s power to select the Tongan ambassadors. Rather it was to allow the Prime Minister and the cabinet to become involved in the selection process because it was important to choose the best Tongans for those roles.

The Minister also said the government proposed to amend Clause 39 of the constitution, which dealt with treaties and conventions.

Hon. Fā’otusia said treaties and conventions were administrative and required the involvement of the executive branch of the government in the process.

He said the proposal to amend Clause 39 was not to remove the king’s power to ratify treaties and conventions. Instead the government’s proposal was to amend it to allow the government to get involved in the process before submitting the treaty to the king to make the final decision.

For more information 

Justice Minister: Approval of international conventions in “complete chaos”

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