2010 Tongan Legislative Assembly

The 2010 Tongan Legislative Assembly was established following the 2010 elections, the first under a new system which saw the majority of seats elected by universal suffrage.^[1] The Taimi Media Network described it as "Tonga's first democratically elected Parliament".^[2]

The Speaker of the 2010 Assembly was Lord Lasike,^[3] until he lost his seat in Parliament on 18 July 2012, following conviction for illicit ammunitions ownership. He was replaced as Speaker by Lord Fakafanua.^[4] The Deputy Speaker was initially Lord Tuʻiʻafitu,^[3] until he was appointed Minister for Health on 2 July 2012, whereupon he was replaced by Lord Tu'iha'teiho.^[5]

Initial party standings

Summary of the 25 November 2010 Tongan Legislative Assembly election results

Parties	Votes	%	Seats
Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	10,953	28.49	12
Independents	25,873	67.30	5
People's Democratic Party	934	2.43	0
Sustainable Nation-Building Party	519	1.35	0
Tongan Democratic Labor Party	168	0.44	0
Noble representatives	54	—	9
Total	38,447	100.00	26
Source:[6]

Members

Initial MPs

Name		Party	Electorate	Term
	ʻAkilisi Pohiva	DPFI	Tongatapu 1	Ninth
	Semisi Kioa Lafu Sika	DPFI	Tongatapu 2	First
	Sitiveni Halapua	DPFI	Tongatapu 3	First
	'Isileli Pulu	DPFI	Tongatapu 4	Fourth
	'Aisake Valu Eke	Independent	Tongatapu 5	First
	Siosifa Tu'itupou Tu'utafaiva	DPFI	Tongatapu 6	First
	Sione Sangster Saulala	DPFI	Tongatapu 7	First
	P. Sione Havea Taione	DPFI	Tongatapu 8	First
	Kaveinga Fa'anunu	DPFI	Tongatapu 9	First
	Semisi Palu 'Ifoni Tapueluelu	DPFI	Tongatapu 10	First
	Sunia Fili	Independent	ʻEua 11	Fifth
	Mo'ale Finau	DPFI	Haʻapai 12	First
	'Uliti Uata	DPFI	Haʻapai 13	Eighth
	Lisiate 'Akolo	Independent	Vavaʻu 14	Third
	Samiu Vaipulu	Independent	Vavaʻu 15	Seventh
	Viliami Uasike Latu	Independent	Vavaʻu 16	First
	Sosefo Feʻaomoeata Vakata	DPFI	Ongo Niua 17	First
	Hon. Tuʻivakanō	Independent	Tongatapu Noble 1	Sixth
	Hon. Maʻafu	Independent	Tongatapu Noble 2	Second
	Hon. Vaea	Independent	Tongatapu Noble 3	First
	Hon. Tuʻilakepa	Independent	Vavaʻu Noble 2	Fourth
	Hon. Tu'i'afitu	Independent	Vavaʻu Noble 1	First
	Hon. Lasike	Independent	ʻEua Noble	Third
	Hon. Fusitu'a	Independent	Niuas Noble	First?
	Hon. Tu'iha'teiho	Independent	Haʻapai Noble 1	Third
	Hon. Fakafanua	Independent	Haʻapai Noble 2	Second

Summary of changes

• On 8 December 2010, Sosefo Vakata, People's Representative for Ongo Niua 17, left the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands, to sit as an independent.^[7]
• On 24 July 2011, Kaveinga Faʻanunu, People's Representative for Tongatapu 9, a first term MP from the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands, died of cancer.^[8][9] A by-election for Tongatapu 9 was held on 15 September 2011, and the seat was retained by the Democratic Party, through its candidate Falisi Tupou.^[10][11]
• On 18 July 2012, Lord Lasike, Nobles' Representative for ʻEua and Speaker of the Assembly, lost his seat by order of the King in application of the Constitution, following his conviction in court for illegal possession of firearms munitions.^[12][13] He was replaced by Lord Nuku in a by-election on 2 August.^[14]
• Lord Fusituaʻa, Nobles' Representative for the Niuas, died on 24 April 2014. His son Mataʻiʻulua ʻi Fonuamotu inherited his title on 6 May. The new Lord Fusituaʻa won his father's seat in Parliament through a by-election on 22 May.^[15]

References

1. Agence France-Presse (24 November 2010). "Tonga set for landmark vote". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
2. "Absence of PM from opening of Parliament questioned" Archived 16 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Taimi Media Network, 9 June 2011
3. "Tonga parliament chooses Lasike as speaker". Radio New Zealand International. 21 December 2010. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
4. "Tonga names new Speaker after Lord Lasike barred from Parliament". Radio New Zealand International. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
5. "Former Deputy Speaker appointed as Minister for Health" Archived 21 December 2012 at archive.today, Office of the Prime Minister of Tonga, 2 July 2012
6. "Kingdom of Tonga Election for Fale Alea (Tongan Legislative Assembly) 2010". IFES election guide. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
7. "Hon. Fe'ao Vakata, Youth, Sports & Training Minister" Archived 30 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Tongan government portal, 17 January 2011
8. "Tongatapu MP dies". Matangi Tonga. 25 July 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
9. "Tongatapu 9 MP died". Parliament of Tonga. 25 July 2011. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
10. "Falisi Tupou new Tongatapu 9 PR", Matangi Tonga, 15 September 2011
11. "Democratic Party wins Tongan by-election" Archived 1 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine, ABC Radio Australia, 15 September 2011
12. "Tonga Speaker barred from Parliament following conviction", Radio New Zealand International, 18 July 2012
13. "Lasike loses his job in parliament", Matangi Tonga, 18 July 2012
14. "Lord Nuku chosen by Tonga's nobility to replace convicted Lord Lasike". Radio New Zealand International. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
15. "Lord Fusitu'a takes father's seat", Matangi Tonga, 22 May 2014