Chinese telecom is architect of Tonga’s e-government infrastructure

By Tevita Motulalo

CHINESE telecom enterprise Huawei Technologies is the architect of Tonga’s central and national electronic infrastructure.

“The aim of e-government is to create a Tonga National Information Network to connect multiple arms of government through a central electronic system,” stated the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC).

According to the Secretary of MIC, Paula Ma‘u, Huawei is undertaking a survey of the infrastructure construct, and will make recommendations in a report to government on how to further the initiative.

Ma‘u says the network will exclusively be for government departments, while another project on the pipeline is to facilitate community wide utilization.

The project has the ability to cut out inter-departmental communication that could have otherwise circulated the globe before reaching their destinations, given the departments’ relative proximity.

A delegation from the company has presented a proposal for “a ground-breaking e-government system” to the Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano, before the proposal was discussed with Cabinet on Thursday.

Seabed minerals’ benefits to be maximised for the country

By Tevita Motulalo

Members of the Tonga Police's Special Armed Squad receiving Australian-donated badges from Parlaimentary Secretary Richard Marles last week

Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary of Pacific Islands Affairs, Richard Marles thinks the benefits of seabed minerals should be maximised for the benefit of the Pacific country they are taken from.

Marles was in Tonga last week to reaffirm Australia’s support as a Pacific partner and a friend of Tonga, wrapping up a region-wide tour to all the small states in the Pacific.

“We see ourselves as very close friends and we want to be the best of friends that we can be to Tonga,” he said toTonga Chronicle in a doorstep media conference just before departing Nuku‘alofa.

“The Gillard Labour government regards the Pacific as absolutely crucial to Australia’s Foreign Policy. Whatever else happens around the world our neighbourhood will always be our neighbourhood. And for that reason the Pacific is our collective neighbourhood,” he said.

But the issue of seabed minerals had been a key point in discussions with the Tongan Cabinet, amidst the exchange regarding the ‘partners in development’ program for Tonga.

In Tonga, Australian companies are involved in the prospecting for underwater commercial mining and Marles thinks there are two key issues to be looked at.

Lord Prime Minister works hard to form a people’s Cabinet

© Tevita Motulalo

THE Kingdom of Tonga's first Prime Minister nominated by a majority popular elected Parliament, Lord Tu‘ivakano, is trying tirelessly to form his new Cabinet, comprising of a majority of people’s representatives.

Long time MP ‘Isileli Pulu, is said to have agreed the take up the “Minister for Revenue” portfolio in Tu‘ivakano’s Cabinet. He is one of the leading names in 'Akilisi Pohiva’s Friendly Island Democratic Party,

Lord Fakafanua broke the news today following further meetings between the PM and MPs. He has been the spokesman for the alliance of free MPs (which includes the Nobles) during the campaign for the nomination for the Prime Minister.

FIDP calls for consensus cabinet

© Tevita Motulalo

THE Friendly Islands Democratic Party (FIDP) has called for a consensus type of Parliament in the Kingdom of Tonga, as parliament members prepare to vote for a Prime Minister.

Members are lobbying for proposals for a Prime Minister, after the country's historic election last month which saw FIDP rack up to 12 of the 17 popular elected seats in Parliament, with only 31% of the votes. One FIDP MP has broken off from the party, bringing down their seats to eleven, while the major titled traditional families or the Hou'eiki" hold another nine seats, bringing the total seats in parliament to 26.

Proposals for Prime Minister are being submitted to the Interim Speaker of Parliament, Lord Tupou. The vote will be held next Monday.