23 Jun 2005

Tongan Prime Minister to be challenged over absence of public accounts

8:12 pm on 23 June 2005

Tongan MP, Isileli Pulu, says three top government ministers should stand down because of their incompetency.

Mr Pulu says since 2001 no audited public account has been presented to parliament.

He says the Prime Minister Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata has received the public account from the auditor-general in recent years but has failed to release information.

Mr Pulu says the practice lacks transparency.

He says the issue is one of many that are haunting the kindgdom and people should be held accountable.

"There are almost about three or four of them. They keep repeating the same problems and mistakes every year. That inclues the prime minister, the deputy prime minister and unfortunately the minister of finance, because he is too weak to do anything about the prime minister."

Mr Pulu says the People's Representatives may move to impeach the PM at the end of budget discussions.