Tonga Government

The Cabinet approved the donation last week for the players who met Samoa last weekend and who play the Flying Fijians on Saturday.

The government is also donating another $US4,454 dollars to the Tonga Athletics Sports Association.

Radio Tonga reports the government saying this demonstrates its leadership and commitment to building confidence and investment in its athletes, supporting a strong Tongan sports system to achieve excellence.

Last month the government pulled out of hosting the Pacific Games, citing other priorities for the funding.

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.

The match was broadcast live by Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC) co-funded by Tongan Government.

Apart from TBC broadcasting the match live, nine villages in Tongatapu were able to watch the game in church halls and town halls through a partnership between the Ministry of MEIDECC and Digicel.

The money was given to assist more than 50 athletes who arrived at Fu’amotu airport two years ago to find their names weren’t on the passenger list to PNG to represent Tonga during Pacific Games 2015.

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said TASANOC has yet to pay back its loan.

TASANOC Secretary General Takitoa Taumoepeau has said the national sport authority’s AGM in 2015 had “challenged” the validity of the loan.

He said members of the AGM asked whether an individual or a private organisation could borrow money from government.

These posts are presently filled after the appointment by the King in conjunction with the Privy Council.

The Akilisi Pohiva-led government wants to control all the key appointments because it claims these officials sometimes work against the government.

But publisher Kalafi Moala, who campaigned for democracy alongside Mr Pohiva for many years, says there is a need to maintain the separation of powers to avoid a possible conflict of interest.

'Akilisi Pohiva's government is proposing an amendment that would see top roles such as the attorney general, police commissioner and anti-corruption commissioner, appointed by the prime minister and cabinet.

Currently, such appointments are made by the privy council and the king.

A former justice minister Clive Edwards said the current system provided an important balance against the power of the prime minister in a nascent democracy.

The government has written to Nanise Fifita to say her contract is null and void.

This came after the TBC chairman was forced to resign amid complaints by prime minister 'Akilisi Pohiva that the company was not supporting government enough.

But Ms Fifita's lawyer, Clive Edwards, said she had a right of renewal clause in her contract.

He said if the board carried out the sacking then legal action could follow.

Dialysis treatment is currently unavailable in the country despite around 200 people being diagnosed with chronic kidney failure each year, and about a third of those needing such treatment.

This week the Tonga Dialysis Foundation said it has waited for over a year for a government letter of support so private funders could release finances to open a clinic in the country.

Ministry of Health CEO Siale 'Akauola said the majority of kidney disease cases develop from diabetes.

Tonga has been preparing to ratify the convention since 2015 but last year 'Akilisi Pohiva said the Government was stepping back from ratification after opponents protested that it could open the way for same-sex marriage and abortion.

Mr Pohiva said local women's groups would be asked to carry out public consultations again.

He said the subject had divided the nation.

"We made it clear that some of the clauses in regards to CEDAW are well taken by government and there are a few we do not think that they are appropriate," he said.

Prime Minister’s Office says the  Prime Minister and Minister for Education and Training wanted to relinquish his post to help fasten the pace of preparations  for  the games, as most work are far too late.

Hon. Penisimani Fifita Minister of Internal Affairs is the Minister of Education and Training as he’s been with that Ministry for over 30 years before he took up politics.

The Ministerial reshuffling was granted by His Majesty at the recommendation of the Prime Minister.