5 Nov 2018

Tonga's parliament extended to deal with impeachment call

4:23 pm on 5 November 2018

Tonga's Parliamentary session has been extended because of difficulties processing a petition calling for the impeachment of the Prime Minister and six Cabinet Ministers.

Tonga Prime Minister, 'Akilisi Pohiva

Tonga Prime Minister, 'Akilisi Pohiva Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koro Vaka'uta

Parliament had been scheduled to end on 31 October but Matangi Tonga reports Speaker Lord Fakafanua has scheduled a sitting for Tuesday evening where he will announce plans to deal with the over 3,000 strong signature petition.

Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva has said the final decision on how the House will proceed with the impeachment, rests with Lord Fakafanua.

The petition calls for an urgent audit of specific expenditures over the last three years regarding seven Cabinet Ministers, including Mr Pohiva.

There has been a constant struggle in the House over procedure since the petition was read in Parliament in June.

Issues include the order of the presentation of a Auditor General's Report and responses required from the Ministers accused of mishandling public funds.

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