2019 Pacific Games

Parliament has been adjourned until then, after MPs questioned why over $US3.7 million was still being collected despite the government pulling out of hosting the 2019 event.

Noble MP, Lord Vaea, said the government was collecting revenue using three taxes introduced to fund the games.

Vaea said he believed this was illegal.

He said parliament would reconvene on Monday and the government was expected to repeal the revenue gathering legislation.

But in the meantime Lord Vaea said questions remain.

Executive Director of Pacific Games Council, Andrew Minogue said they have engaged a local solicitor to proceed with the legal action.

After Tonga withdrew, the only country that has expressed their interest to host the game is Samoa while New Caledonia will support Tahiti to host the game.

Prime Minister of Samoa Tuilaepa Sailele Malielagaoi has already indicated his government’s willingness to support the bid for Samoa to host the Games.

But Minogue said the decision will be made after July 31.

The Pacific Games Council confirmed Tonga's withdrawal from hosting the event earlier this month, and asked for expressions of interest from "experienced" hosts.

Fiji and Papua New Guinea declined to make a bid with Samoa the only country confirming its desire to stage the games.

New Caledonia also ruled itself out, having last hosted the games six years ago.

Chief executive of the territory's Olympic Committee, Michel Quintin, said whoever does take on the hosting mantle needed strong financial backing.

This is after the Games Council confirmed Tonga's withdrawal earlier this month, and asked for expressions of interest from "experienced" hosts.

Fiji and Papua New Guinea have already declined to make a bid with Samoa the only country confirming their desire to stage the Games.

Guam said it would only consider stepping forward if there were no other contenders.

Noumea has hosted the Pacific Games three times - the last occasion being six years ago and the CEO of the Territory's Olympic Committee, Michel Quintin said 2019 was not a good time for them.

Kaniva News reports the Tongan Cabinet passed a resolution to engage Dr Harrison.

Cabinet is also reported to have sought advice from the lawyer before its decision to withdraw as host of the 2019 Pacific Games.

The Pacific Games Council has proceeded to take legal action against the Tongan government for withdrawing as host of the Games.

The council is also terminating the host agreement with the government.

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva has said that Tonga cannot host the games as there are other priorities.

Last month the prime minister Akilisi Pohiva caused consternation by pulling out, citing the cost and suggesting the government had other priorities.

But the former finance minister 'Aisake Eke said the government had now called for a parliamentary vote on the matter and that is expected when parliament resumes on Thursday.

Dr Eke always maintained the country was well able to run the games but he is not sure about other support on the government side.

"There is no sign yet from the Government side," he said.

Lord Vaea hopes a royal petition will convince the government to change its mind despite its declaration this week that its decision to withdraw from hosting the games was final.

Lord Vaea said the ability of countries like Fiji and Samoa to host top sporting events was more advanced than Tonga's and the recent Super Rugby fixtures provided evidence of that.

The prime minister 'Akilisi Pohiva has told a meeting with the Pacific Games Council that he is adhering to his announcement last month to pull out of hosting the event.

RNZI reports Vaea said Mr Pohiva never gave the council a chance to offer its assistance and alterative options.

He said now a petition involving the sporting community, school principals and members of the general public will be presented to the king next week.

The Council travelled to Tonga in an attempt to change the mind of the Prime Minister after he announced last month the government had withdrawn their support for hosting the 2019 Pacific Games.

'Akilisi Pohiva said the games would have a detrimental effect on the economy, despite both the previous and current finance ministers stating the opposite.

But the Pacific Games Council said it was willing to discuss ways of reducing the costs of hosting the Games and had given the government until the of June to address its financial concerns.

'Akilisi Pohiva has said the games will have a detrimental effect on the economy, despite both the previous and current finance ministers stating the opposite.

The head of the local Games Organising Committee, Lord Sevele, said the Pacific Games Council is willing to work with the government to allay its fears.

"The President and the Executive Director are coming over on Monday and having a meeting with government in an attempt to see whether and how best all sides can review the hosting of the games by Tonga in an attempt to make it happen."