Legislative Assembly of Tonga

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Legislative Assembly of Tonga

The Legislative Assembly of Tonga (Tongan: Fale Alea ʻo Tonga) is the unicameral legislature of Tonga.

Quick Facts Legislative Assembly of Tonga Fale Alea ʻo Tonga, Type ...
Legislative Assembly of Tonga

Fale Alea ʻo Tonga
Coat of arms or logo
Type
Type
History
Founded16 September 1875 (1875-09-16)[1]
Leadership
Speaker
Fatafehi Fakafanua
since December 2017
Structure
Seats25 members
Current Structure of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga
Political groups
Government (15)
  •   DPFI (3)
  •   Independents (8)
  •   Nobles' (4)

Opposition (10)

Vacant (1)

  •   Vacant (1)
Elections
Single non-transferable vote
Last election
18 November 2021
Next election
On or before November 2025
Meeting place
Parliament House, Nukuʻalofa
Website
parliament.gov.to
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History

Summarize
Perspective

A Legislative Assembly providing for representation of nobles and commoners was established in 1862 by King George Tupou I.[2] This body met every four years and was continued in the 1875 Constitution.

Originally the Legislative Assembly consisted of all holders of noble titles, an equal number of people's representatives, the governors for Haʻapai and Vavaʻu, and at least four Cabinet Ministers chosen by the monarch.[3] An increase in the number of nobles from twenty to thirty saw the Assembly grow to 70 members.[4] Amendments in 1914 saw a reduction in the size of the Assembly and annual sittings. The principle of equal representation of nobles and commoners was retained.[5]

In April 2010 the Legislative Assembly enacted a package of political reforms, increasing the number of people's representatives from nine to seventeen,[6] with ten seats for Tongatapu, three for Vavaʻu, two for Haʻapai and one each for Niuas and ʻEua.[7]

The 100-year-old Tongan Parliament House was destroyed by Cyclone Gita, a Category 4 tropical cyclone that passed through the nation on 12 and 13 February 2018.[8] Parliament subsequently moved to the Tongan National Centre complex in Tofoa. In November 2021 the Tongan government announced that a new parliament building would be constructed on Nukuʻalofa's waterfront.[9]

Electoral system

The assembly has 26 members in which 17 members are elected by the people for 5-year term in single-seat constituencies via the single non-transferable vote system. There are 9 members elected by the 33 hereditary nobles of Tonga.

Speaker of the Assembly

Summarize
Perspective

The Legislative Assembly is presided over by a Speaker, who is elected by majority of the elected members of Parliament at the first meeting after the general election and constitutionally appointed by the king.[10] Prior to 2010, the Speaker was appointed by the monarch.[11]

A complete list of the Speakers is below:[12]

More information Name, Took office ...
Name Took office Left office Notes
Hon. Viliami Tungī [to]18751896
Hon. Siaosi Tukuʻaho18971897
Hon. Siaosi Tuʻipelehake18971912
Hon. Finau ʻUlukalala19121938
Hon. Iosaiasi Veikune [to]193919401st term
Hon. Tuʻivakanō [to]194119411st term
Hon. Nuku [to]19421944
Hon. Iosaiasi Veikune194519452nd term
Hon. Tuʻivakanō194619482nd term
Hon. Iosaiasi Veikune194919493rd term
Hon. Tuʻivakanō195019503rd term
Hon. Kalaniuvalu19511958
Hon. Maʻafu Tukuiʻaulahi [to]19591984
Hon. Kalaniuvalu Fotofili [to]19851986
Hon. Malupo19871989
Lord Fusituʻa19901998[13]
Lord VeikuneApril 199920011st term
Lord Tuʻivakanō1 July 200220041st term
Lord Veikune22 March 2005January 20062nd term
Lord Tuʻihaʻangana10 February 2006April 2008[14]
Hon. Tuʻilakepa2 May 20082010
Lord Tupou (interim)3 December 201021 December 2010[15]
Hon. Lasike21 December 201018 July 2012
Lord Fakafanua19 July 201229 December 20141st term
Lord TuʻivakanōJanuary 2015December 20172nd term
Lord FakafanuaDecember 20172nd term[16]
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Terms of the Tongan Legislative Assembly

Until 2010, the government was appointed by the monarch without reference to Parliament, and there were no political parties. The last term under the old system was the 2008 Tongan Legislative Assembly. Political reform in 2010 saw the Prime Minister elected by Parliament from among its members, leading to responsible government.

More information Term, Elected in ...
Term Elected in Government
2010 Parliament 2010 election Independent
2014 Parliament 2014 election No overall majority
2017 Parliament 2017 election DPFI
2021 Parliament 2021 election Independent
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Officers

Clerk (Kalake Pule Fale Alea ʻo Tonga)

  • Sione Tekiteki (2011–2012)
  • Gloria Poleʻo (2012–present)

See also

References

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