Tonga

The Heilala Tax System gives priority services and benefits to those who conform with tax and customs laws.

The ministry has selected their top 10 taxpayers, which include banks, a wholesaler and a church group, to be given access to additional services and benefits.

These include TV and internet access at both tax and customs offices, priority when processing tax and customs requests and VIP lounge access at the Fua'motu International Airport.

Lord Sevele has said the government should consult with stakeholders about the purpose of the ongoing collection of revenue for the 2019 Pacific Games despite Tonga's withdrawal as host.

Revenue is being collected from a foreign exchange levy and a departure tax.

Sevele, who is also the former chairman of the Games Organising Committee, said the government's moves were unclear.

He said local businesses only backed the measures because they supported sports.

Already out of contention for the semi-final stage, competition debutants American Samoa will be out to cause an upset when they face Tonga in the opening match of the day. Tonga need a strong win – and Cook Islands to defeat Fiji – to equalise with Fiji on points and overtake the Melanesian nation on goal difference.

Feeling positive after claiming their first point of the competition on Monday, Tonga coach Lafaela Moala has put Cook Islands and Fiji’s encounter out of his mind and is keeping focus on repeating the impressive performance Tonga gave against Fiji.

In his remarks Mr. Fa’anunu said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss and agree on the Project’s work plan for 2017/2018, and a way forward for implementing the project in general.

Mr Fa’anunu is also the Vice President of the World Meteorological Organization and Regional Association V in the South West Pacific.

CEO of Internal Affairs, ‘Ana Bing Fonua said the assistance will facilitate procedures for selecting appropriate candidates for the Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) programme. 

Radio Tonga reports it includes reviewing the core functions of the offices in charge of collaboration with the town offices to identify eligible candidates for the RSE programme.  

"The main focus area for this plan first is the policy, in the absence of the Labor policy for Tonga that was made in the last 10 years. It is extremely important that the policies are put in place. 

Radio Tonga reports the commissioning was confirmed by a spokesperson for the Ministry of Infrastructure.

The TOP$25 million (US$11.4 million) project commenced in November 2015 and was completed in May this year by the Shanghai Construction Group. 

The building was handed over to the Government of Tonga in June.

St George Government Building will accommodate offices of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. 

The famous invitation side are back at the iconic Limerick venue for the first time since they beat Ireland 22-21 there in the summer of 2015.

And it will be the Baa-baas' first meeting with Tonga – newly qualified as England’s World Cup rivals at Rugby World Cup in 2019 after beating Samoa in this summer’s Pacific Nations Cup.

Facing the adventurous Pacific islanders will be the third international contest in three weeks for the Barbarians.

In late July, Army vets in the Public Health Command - Pacific teamed up with the Nevada National Guard State Partnership Program to visit Tonga and evaluate the health and care of the domestic animals in the islands.

Tonga has only one government-run animal clinic.

The one clinic is low on supplies and short-staffed with no full-time veterinarian. It relies on foreign volunteers to bring in expertise, along with desperately needed medications.

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.

Sateki Siale, 26, will be sentenced at a later date.

The court heard that the murder took place after midnight on October 11, 2015 at Lakemba in Sydney’s south-west. 

The victim, Mr Kelly Ventigadoo, was talking to his mother and hearing-impaired father outside their home.

The jury was told a drunken Siale approached them and asked “Why are you talking so loud? This is my street”.

Siale than smashed a beer bottle on a brick fence and plunged it into Ventigadoo’s neck.