Legislative Assembly of Tonga

Legslative Assembly of Tonga
Fale Alea
Type
Type
Structure
Seats 26 members
Current Structure of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga
Political groups
Elections
multi-seat constituency
Last election
 Tongan general election, 2014
Meeting place
Nukuʻalofa
Website
parliament.gov.to
Tonga
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The Legislative Assembly (Tongan: Fale Alea) of Tonga has 26 members in which 17 members elected by majority of the people for a 5-year term in multi-seat constituencies via the single non-transferable vote system. There are 9 members elected by the 33 hereditary nobles of Tonga. The Assembly is controlled by the speaker of the House who is elected by majority of the elected members of Parliament and constitutionally appointed by the king .

History

A Legislative Assembly providing for representation of nobles and commoners was established in 1862 by King George Tupou I.[1] 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 Ha’apai and Vava’u, and at least four Cabinet Ministers chosen by the monarch.[2] An increase in the number of nobles from twenty to thirty saw the Assembly grow to 70 members.[3] 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.[4]

In April 2010 the Legislative Assembly enacted a package of political reforms, increasing the number of people's representatives from nine to seventeen,[5] with ten seats for Tongatapu, three for Vava’u, two for Ha’apai and one each for Niuas and 'Eua.[6]

Speaker of the Assembly

The Legislative Assembly is presided over by a Speaker, appointed by the monarch.[7]

The current Speaker is Lord Fakafanua. A complete list of the Speakers is below:[8]

Name Took office Left office
? Hon. Viliami Tungi 1875 1896
? Hon. Siaosi Fuku'aho 1897 1897
? Hon. Siaosi Tu'ipelehake 1897 1912
? Hon. Finau 'Ulukalala 1912 1938
? Hon. Iosaiasi Veikune 1939 1940
? Hon. Tu'ivakano 1941 1941
? Hon. Nuku 1942 1944
? Hon. Iosaiasi Veikune 1945 1945
? Hon. Tu'ivakano 1946 1948
? Hon. Iosaiasi Veikune 1949 1949
? Hon. Tu'ivaikano 1950 1950
? Hon. Kalaniuvalu 1951 1958
? Hon. Ma'afu Tukui'aulahi 1959 1984
? Hon. Kalaniuvalu 1985 1986
? Hon. Malupo 1987 1989
? Hon. Fusitu'a 1990 1998
? Hon. Veikune 1999 2002
? Siale'ataonga Tu'ivakano 1 July 2002 2004
? Hon. Veikune 22 March 2005 2006
? Hon. Havea Tui'ha'angana 2006 2008
? Hon. Tu'ilakepa April 29, 2008 2010
? Lord Tupou (interim) December 3, 2010 December 21, 2010
? Hon. Lasike December 21, 2010 July 18, 2012
? Lord Fakafanua July 19, 2012 Incumbent

Elections

 Summary of the 25 November 2010 Tongan Legislative Assembly election results
Parties Votes % Seats
Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands 10,953 28.49 12
Independents 25,873 67.30 5
People's Democratic Party 934 2.43 0
Sustainable Nation-Building Party 519 1.35 0
Tongan Democratic Labor Party 168 0.44 0
Noble representatives 54 — 9
Total 38,447 100.00 26
Source: Matangi Tonga

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.

Term Elected in Government
2010 Parliament 2010 election Independent

Officers

Sione Tekiteki is Clerk (Kalae Pule Falealea 'o Tonga) (2011–2012). Gloria Pole'o (2012–present)

See also

References

  1. ↑ David Stanley (1999). Tonga-Somoa Handbook. p. 198. ISBN 1-56691-174-5.
  2. ↑ Ian Campbell (2005). "The Quest for Constitutional Reform in Tonga". Journal of Pacific History 40 (1): 91–104. doi:10.1080/00223340500082400.
  3. ↑ Campbell (2005), p. 93.
  4. ↑ Sione Latukefu. "History of our Constitution". Government of Tonga. Retrieved 2010-03-02.
  5. ↑ "Tonga Parliament enacts political reforms". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-04-15. Retrieved 2010-04-21.
  6. ↑ "Tonga parliament votes on amended boundaries". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-04-20. Retrieved 2010-04-21.
  7. ↑ Constitution of Tonga, s. 61
  8. ↑ This is drawn from Member profiles on the Legislative Assembly's official website

External links

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