Government is not reducing the authority of the King - PM's Adviser Featured
PM's adviser Lopeti Senituli and PM 'Akilisi Pohiva
28 May, 2019. Planned reforms in Tonga will not diminish the authority of the King, the government says.
The government has been pushing for legislative change that includes a separate agency to appoint judges, the police commissioner and attorney general.
Public consultations show strong support for the status quo, but government spokesperson Lopeti Senituli said the reforms were not about reducing the authority of King Tupou VI.
They are about creating a more democratic agency to make appointments to key posts, he said.
Establishing an independent Judicial Appointments Commission, would replace the current panel made up entirely of members of the Privy Council.
"Who are His Majesty's nominees," Mr Senituli said.
"Whereas a commission would include, for example, the president of Tonga Law Society. It will also include the secretary for justice and a member of the public who has good legal standing."
- RNZI
3 comments
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Osi fakapiko lahi e ai komiti kenau appoint ahai mo hai he oku appoint noa'ia e kakai faihia mo mo'ua lalahi. Taimi o Tupou 4 na'a ne appoint e kakai lelei mo ako lelei, koeni mai e mafai pea appoint e Akilisi a e fuu moua lahi ko Tu'i Uata toe fili atu mo 'ene kau ngaue a Piveni mo e otu fakapiko. Taimi ke fakafoki e founga fili ki he Tu'i ke ne fai pe eia e fili o fakapotopoto ave ho'o mou fanga ki'i komiti fakapiko o ave ki he vao mo e fakapiko.
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THANK YOU, LEA...Mr. Senituli is still studying law at USP, hence yet to understand the roles of 3 Branches of Government in the Tongan Constitution. Who elected members of the Law Society to select justices? Correct, not the public. It's an old Westminster practice and an anachronism in a modern democracy.
Mr. Senituli claimed (in 2018 at a Fa'onelua Democratic Forum) he was leaning towards the Washington (U.S.) model. However, he does not know that in the Washington democracy model justices are proposed by the President (Executive Branch), and ratify by Parliament (Congress); Balance of Power, and opportunities of Checks and Balances.
Therefore, justices can be hired and fired by Parliament - the elected reps of the people. -
This interpretation is ridiculous Mr. Senituli. It just indicates you have no knowledge of the subject matter. I would propose you study law before you can argue with the law graduates who have expressed their opinions on the subject matter.