Transcript
VUNA FA'OTUSIA: That standing committee is to advise His Majesty on any deals that pass by the House and they advise His Majesty on two things. First, is it appropriate for Tonga or not. You see how serious it is. That committee, they are un-elected members, and they are the people to consider what is appropriate for Tonga? What is this? Those people..outside of the elected people, outside of parliament, outside of government. That is the first question they ask themselves, is this bill appropriate for Tonga. The second is, they ask is it constitutional or not? That is for the judiciary to consider. That bill has come through due process, goes through parliament and then to His Majesty to approve or otherwise and that committee sits around before they advise His Majesty either to consent or otherwise and that is how serious it is. The prime minister most of the time asked me to rely to those people and see what is appropriate and not appropriate to be submitted and I said no because if you do that then that committee runs the government. No, that is ridiculous. That is why we insist in having the prime minister and the ministers in Privy Council to advise His Majesty.
KORO VAKA'UTA: You don't think that this judicial committee has the expertise to be able to look at these things?
VF: The expertise to consider what is appropriate for Tonga? Is it? The expertise to consider the constitutionality of such bills? No. All those bills have come through the due process and considered by government, considered by the House. Let the judiciary decide whether it is constitutional or otherwise. Let the people decide what is appropriate for Tonga. Those people, you are telling me they are the right people to consider what is appropriate for Tonga? It's ridiculous.
KV: So for you, it seems to be about having a mandate to decide things?
VF: Yes. To me, the most appropriate thing is the Privy Council should be consisted of the prime minister and ministers of the day, that's it. They pass a law in parliament, then the prime minister and the minister advise His Majesty of that piece of legislation, how it's being passed, what is in it, what is in it for Tonga. There is no need for an outside body.
KV: So you are proposing or the government thinks that it would be a good idea to have members of the cabinet within the Privy Council?
VF: We already, we passed it, it was in the pipeline. We are amending our constitution of course. We already passed it in cabinet and we are working on it and while we are still working on it then the Speaker of the House recommended to His Majesty to dissolve the House.
KV: As you mentioned, the dissolution happened, so are you still wanting to have those amendments happen even though that possibly they led to the situation now?
VF: That is up for His Majesty. This is what we want and we are representing the people of Tonga. This is what we want. It will make our constitution and our system more secure.
KV: So you will keep promoting or pushing for those changes?
VF: Of course. It is essential.
KV: I just want to clarify, this is not about taking power away from His Majesty?
VF: It's not. Who is taking power from His Majesty? His Majesty has his right to approve or otherwise but to have the proper consideration from the government of the day, no we are not taking the power away from His Majesty.
