On the 5th and 6th of September last week, the Standing Committee on Legislation (“Law Committee”) held its public consultations in the Haʻapai island group, regarding 7 bills on elections introduced by the Government and tabled in parliament. Participating in these public consultations were members of the Committee: Hon. Dr. Taniela Fusimalohi (Chair), Hon. Samiu Vaipulu (Deputy Prime Minister), Hon. Tevita Fatafehi Puloka (Member), Linda Folaumoetuʻi the Attorney General (Member). Pita Vuki (Commissioner/Supervisor for Elections), Rose Kautoke (Office of the Attorney General) and staff members from the Office of the Legislative Assembly and Attorney General also assisted in these consultations.
The Committee valued very much the opportunity to meet firsthand with the communities in Haʻapai. A total of 8 meetings were held in Pangai, Lotofoa, Faleloa, Hāʻano, Fākakai, Nomuka, Haʻafeva and ʻUiha. The Committee were able to listen, discuss and collect submissions from the communities on these bills. Other issues were also raised including the importance of encouraging people to exercise their right to vote in elections.
The Law Committee has now concluded its series of public consultation meetings which began on the 14th of August to the 6th of September. The Committee held a total of 33 meetings in Tongatapu, Vavaʻu, Haʻapai and ʻEua, together with radio programs throughout this period. The Committee will now report the results of these public consultations to parliament in its next sitting in October, where parliament will deliberate and make a final decision on these bills.
The Committee wishes to extend its heartfelt gratitude to the people of Haʻapai, district officers, town officers, the Governorʻs Office and Constituency Offices for all their support to the Committee in making these meetings possible. The Committee would also like to convey its sincerest appreciation to the Electoral Commission, the Government and the Office of the Attorney General for their valuable support and participation which has emphasized even closer and stronger working relations with the Legislative Assembly and across all key stakeholders.