Noble MPs remain absent from Legislative Assembly of Tonga ^Featured

The Speaker Lord Fakafanua, one of the nine noble representatives in the House, returned and reported his other colleagues' absence.

The other noble MP who was present was Lord Ma'afu, who is a cabinet minister.

The Speaker said the nobles would not return unless Parliament agreed to a request to include meetings with the public in a consultation process the government was conducting on six new bills and amendments to the constitution.

Despite the absence of the seven MPs, the House conducted business as normal.

Three independent MPs who joined the earlier walk-out returned to parliament.

Siaosi Sovaleni made it clear during debate that he and two other Peoples' representative Vaipulu and Lavemaau only remain in the House to discuss other bills but they fully support the Nobles.

This indicates that they may be absent from the House when six new bills and amendments to the constitution are reintroduced to the House.

The government is conducting public consultations via a radio talk-back show for two days.

The nobles insist that people want to meet face to face and talk with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice about the bills.