Tongan Cabinet
Encyclopedia
The Cabinet of Tonga is the cabinet
(executive branch
) of the government of the Kingdom of Tonga
. It is composed primarily of the ministers of government. The latter, including the Prime Minister
, are appointed by the monarch. The Governor of Ha'apai
and the Governor of Vava'u
also serve on the Cabinet ex officio. When in session and presided over by the monarch, the Cabinet is known as the Privy Council
.
, the first enabling ordinary citizens to elect a majority of Members of Parliament, and the first also enabling Parliament to elect the Prime Minister. After being elected Prime Minister by Parliament, Lord Tuʻivakanō
appointed the following as his Cabinet. His decision to appoint Dr. Ana Taufeʻulungaki and Clive Edwards
, who were not Members of Parliament, was met with some controversy, but Tuʻivakanō defended his choice on the grounds of their experience. It also meant that the Ministry for Women's Affairs would be headed by a woman; as all members of the legislature were men, appointing a Member of Parliament to the position would have meant it being held by a man.
The Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands
, which had won twelve of the seventeen seats allotted to people's representatives in the Assembly, requested six seats in Cabinet, but was awarded only two, generating some disagreements within the party itself. Senior party MPs [[ʻAkilisi Pohiva]] and [[ʻIsileli Pulu]] nevertheless accepted the proposed Cabinet positions.
Lord Tuʻivakanō's first Cabinet, announced at the beginning of January 2011, was thus the following. On 13 January, however, newly appointed Health Minister [[ʻAkilisi Pohiva]] (People's representative for Tongatapu 1) resigned, in protest over his party having only two Cabinet positions, and refusing to be bound by collective Cabinet responsibility
. He was replaced by [[ʻUliti Uata]] (DPFI, People's Representative for Haʻapai 13) on 25 January.
On September 1, 2011, following a reshuffle which switched portfolios around without adding any new minister nor removing any, the Cabinet was as follows:
became Minister of Justice in November. John Cauchi
became Attorney General
in May 2009, but resigned in April 2010.
Source: "Tonga", C.I.A.
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
(executive branch
Executive (government)
Executive branch of Government is the part of government that has sole authority and responsibility for the daily administration of the state bureaucracy. The division of power into separate branches of government is central to the idea of the separation of powers.In many countries, the term...
) of the government of the Kingdom of Tonga
Politics of Tonga
Politics of Tonga takes place in a framework of a constitutional monarchy, whereby the King has the executive power. Tonga's Prime Minister is currently appointed by the King...
. It is composed primarily of the ministers of government. The latter, including the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Tonga
This is a list of Prime Ministers of Tonga from the establishment of that office in 1876 until the present day.-List of Premiers/Prime Ministers of Tonga :-External links:*...
, are appointed by the monarch. The Governor of Ha'apai
Ha'apai
Haapai is a group of islands, islets, reefs and shoals in the central part of the Kingdom of Tonga, with the Tongatapu group to the south and the Vavau group to the north. Seventeen of the Haapai islands are populated....
and the Governor of Vava'u
Vava'u
Vavau is an island chain of one large island and 40 smaller ones in Tonga. According to tradition Maui fished both Tongatapu and Vavau but put a little more effort into the former. Vavau rises 204 meters above sea level...
also serve on the Cabinet ex officio. When in session and presided over by the monarch, the Cabinet is known as the Privy Council
Privy Council of Tonga
The Privy Council of Tonga is the privy council of the Kingdom of Tonga. It belongs both to the executive and judiciary branches of government...
.
Current Cabinet
The current Cabinet results from the November 2010 general electionTongan general election, 2010
Early general elections under a new electoral law were held in Tonga on 25 November 2010. They determined the composition of the 2010 Tongan Legislative Assembly....
, the first enabling ordinary citizens to elect a majority of Members of Parliament, and the first also enabling Parliament to elect the Prime Minister. After being elected Prime Minister by Parliament, Lord Tuʻivakanō
Sialeʻataongo Tuʻivakanō
-Descent and naming:Siaosi Kiu Ngalumoetutulu Kaho and his wife Fatafehi-ʻo-Lapaha Liku in 1952 baptised their second child and oldest son as Siale ʻAtaongo Kaho. When his father died in January 1986, Siale ʻAtaongo succeeded him to the traditional Tongan noble title of Tuʻivakanō...
appointed the following as his Cabinet. His decision to appoint Dr. Ana Taufeʻulungaki and Clive Edwards
Clive Edwards (Tonga)
William Clive Edwards OBE is a Tongan Cabinet Minister and former Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga. He is a member of the People's Democratic Party and currently serves as Minister for Justice and Minister for Public Enterprise....
, who were not Members of Parliament, was met with some controversy, but Tuʻivakanō defended his choice on the grounds of their experience. It also meant that the Ministry for Women's Affairs would be headed by a woman; as all members of the legislature were men, appointing a Member of Parliament to the position would have meant it being held by a man.
The Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands
Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands
The Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands is a political party in Tonga. The party's leader is 'Akilisi Pohiva....
, which had won twelve of the seventeen seats allotted to people's representatives in the Assembly, requested six seats in Cabinet, but was awarded only two, generating some disagreements within the party itself. Senior party MPs [[ʻAkilisi Pohiva]] and [[ʻIsileli Pulu]] nevertheless accepted the proposed Cabinet positions.
Lord Tuʻivakanō's first Cabinet, announced at the beginning of January 2011, was thus the following. On 13 January, however, newly appointed Health Minister [[ʻAkilisi Pohiva]] (People's representative for Tongatapu 1) resigned, in protest over his party having only two Cabinet positions, and refusing to be bound by collective Cabinet responsibility
Cabinet collective responsibility
Cabinet collective responsibility is constitutional convention in governments using the Westminster System that members of the Cabinet must publicly support all governmental decisions made in Cabinet, even if they do not privately agree with them. This support includes voting for the government in...
. He was replaced by [[ʻUliti Uata]] (DPFI, People's Representative for Haʻapai 13) on 25 January.
| Portfolio | Minister | Constituency | Party |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister Prime Minister of Tonga This is a list of Prime Ministers of Tonga from the establishment of that office in 1876 until the present day.-List of Premiers/Prime Ministers of Tonga :-External links:*... , Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Defence, Minister for Information and Communication |
Lord Tuʻivakanō | Nobles' representative for Tongatapu Tongatapu Tongatapu is the main island of the Kingdom of Tonga and the location of its capital Nukualofa. It is located in Tonga's southern island group, to which it gives its name, and is the country's most populous island, with approximately 71,260 residents , 70.5% of the national population... |
None |
| Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Justice, Minister for Transport and Works |
Samiu Kuita Vaipulu | People's representative for Vavaʻu 15 |
Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
| Minister for Lands, Survey, Natural Resources and Environment and Climate Change |
Lord Maʻafu Maʻafu Tukuiʻaulahi Siosaia Lausiʻi, but since his installation on 30 Oct 1997 with the noble title Maʻafu , better known as Lord Maʻafu, is a Tongan politician, former military officer, and member of the Tongan nobility.He served as a commissioned officer in the... |
Nobles' representative for Tongatapu |
None |
| Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forests and Fisheries | Lord Vaea]] | Nobles' representative for Tongatapu |
None |
| Minister for Finance | Sunia Manu Fili | People's representative for [[ʻEua]] 11 |
Independent |
| Minister for Training, Employment, Youth and Sports | Feʻaomoeata Vakata | People's representative for Niuas Niuas Niuas is a division of Tonga. It consists of three islands:*Niuafoʻou*Niuatoputapu*Tafahi... 17 |
Independent |
| Minister for Police, Prisons and Fire Services | Viliami Latu Viliami Latu Dr. Viliami Uasike Latu is a Tongan politician.After completing secondary education at Tonga High School, he became a high school teacher at the Mailefihi & Siuʻilikutapu College in 1991... |
People's representative for Vavaʻu 16 |
Independent |
| Minister for Labour, Commerce and Industries | Lisiate ʻAloveita ʻAkolo | People's representative for Vavaʻu 14 |
Independent |
| Minister for Health | [[ʻAkilisi Pohiva]] | People's representative for Tongatapu 1 |
Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands The Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands is a political party in Tonga. The party's leader is 'Akilisi Pohiva.... |
| Minister for Tourism | [[ʻIsileli Pulu]] | People's representative for Tongatapu 4 |
Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands The Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands is a political party in Tonga. The party's leader is 'Akilisi Pohiva.... |
| Minister for Revenue Services and Public Enterprises | Wiliam Clive Edwards Clive Edwards (Tonga) William Clive Edwards OBE is a Tongan Cabinet Minister and former Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga. He is a member of the People's Democratic Party and currently serves as Minister for Justice and Minister for Public Enterprise.... |
not in Parliament | People's Democratic Party People's Democratic Party (Tonga) The People's Democratic Party is a political party in Tonga. It was formed after a split in the Human Rights and Democracy Movement. The party was founded on 8 April 2005 in 'Atenisi... |
| Minister for Education, Women Affairs and Culture | Dr. [[ʻAna Maui Taufeʻulungaki]] | not in Parliament | None |
On September 1, 2011, following a reshuffle which switched portfolios around without adding any new minister nor removing any, the Cabinet was as follows:
| Portfolio | Minister | Constituency | Party |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister Prime Minister of Tonga This is a list of Prime Ministers of Tonga from the establishment of that office in 1876 until the present day.-List of Premiers/Prime Ministers of Tonga :-External links:*... , Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Defence, Minister for Information and Communication |
Lord Tuʻivakanō | Nobles' representative for Tongatapu Tongatapu Tongatapu is the main island of the Kingdom of Tonga and the location of its capital Nukualofa. It is located in Tonga's southern island group, to which it gives its name, and is the country's most populous island, with approximately 71,260 residents , 70.5% of the national population... |
None |
| Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Transport and Works |
Samiu Kuita Vaipulu | People's representative for Vavaʻu 15 |
Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
| Minister for Lands, Survey, Natural Resources and Environment and Climate Change |
Lord Maʻafu Maʻafu Tukuiʻaulahi Siosaia Lausiʻi, but since his installation on 30 Oct 1997 with the noble title Maʻafu , better known as Lord Maʻafu, is a Tongan politician, former military officer, and member of the Tongan nobility.He served as a commissioned officer in the... |
Nobles' representative for Tongatapu |
None |
| Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forests and Fisheries | Lord Vaea]] | Nobles' representative for Tongatapu |
None |
| Minister for Finance and Inland Revenue | Sunia Manu Fili | People's representative for [[ʻEua]] 11 |
Independent |
| Minister for Training, Employment, Youth and Sports | Feʻaomoeata Vakata | People's representative for Niuas Niuas Niuas is a division of Tonga. It consists of three islands:*Niuafoʻou*Niuatoputapu*Tafahi... 17 |
Independent |
| Minister for Tourism | Viliami Latu Viliami Latu Dr. Viliami Uasike Latu is a Tongan politician.After completing secondary education at Tonga High School, he became a high school teacher at the Mailefihi & Siuʻilikutapu College in 1991... |
People's representative for Vavaʻu 16 |
Independent |
| Minister for Police, Prisons and Fire Services | Lisiate ʻAloveita ʻAkolo | People's representative for Vavaʻu 14 |
Independent |
| Minister for Health | [[ʻUliti Uata]] | People's representative for Haʻapai 13 |
Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands The Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands is a political party in Tonga. The party's leader is 'Akilisi Pohiva.... |
| Minister for Labour, Commerce and Industries | [[ʻIsileli Pulu]] | People's representative for Tongatapu 4 |
Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands The Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands is a political party in Tonga. The party's leader is 'Akilisi Pohiva.... |
| Minister for Justice; Minister for Public Enterprises |
Wiliam Clive Edwards Clive Edwards (Tonga) William Clive Edwards OBE is a Tongan Cabinet Minister and former Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga. He is a member of the People's Democratic Party and currently serves as Minister for Justice and Minister for Public Enterprise.... |
not in Parliament | People's Democratic Party People's Democratic Party (Tonga) The People's Democratic Party is a political party in Tonga. It was formed after a split in the Human Rights and Democracy Movement. The party was founded on 8 April 2005 in 'Atenisi... |
| Minister for Education, Women Affairs and Culture | Dr. [[ʻAna Maui Taufeʻulungaki]] | not in Parliament | None |
Sevele Cabinet
For the most part, the Cabinet below results from a reshuffle in May 2009, but Teisina Fuko was subsequently appointed Minister for Revenue Services in October, and Samiu VaipuluSamiu Vaipulu
Samiu Kuita Vaipulu is Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga. He is member of the Tongan Parliament for the island of Vava'u.-Personal life:...
became Minister of Justice in November. John Cauchi
John Cauchi
John Cauchi is a lawyer who served as the Attorney General of Tonga from 2009 to 2010.-Career:He served as the senior Crown Counsel with Tonga's Crown Law Department in the 1990s, and subsequently as Director of Public Prosecutions in the Solomon Islands from 2004 to 2006.Cauchi was appointed as...
became Attorney General
Attorney General (Tonga)
The position of Attorney General was established in the Kingdom of Tonga in 1988. From 1988 to 2009, the Attorney General jointly held the office of Minister of Justice.The current Interim Attorney General is Barrie Sweetman, appointed in August 2011...
in May 2009, but resigned in April 2010.
| Portfolio | Minister |
|---|---|
| Prime Minister Prime Minister of Tonga This is a list of Prime Ministers of Tonga from the establishment of that office in 1876 until the present day.-List of Premiers/Prime Ministers of Tonga :-External links:*... , Minister of Communication, Mininister of Disaster Relief & Activities, Mininister of Labour, Commerce, and Industries |
Dr. Feleti Sevele Feleti Sevele Feleti Vakaʻuta Sevele , styled Lord Sevele of Vailahi was the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga from 30 March 2006 to 22 December 2010.-Early life:Sevele was born in Ma’ufanga, Nuku’alofa... |
| Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Health |
Dr. Viliami Tangi Viliami Tangi Dr Viliami Ta’u Tangi, styled Lord Tangi of Vaonukonuka is a Tongan politician and former Cabinet Minister. He has previously served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health.... |
| Minister of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, and Forestry | HSH Prince Tu'ipelehake Viliami Tupoulahi Mailefihi Tuku'aho |
| Minister of Civil Aviation, Marine, and Ports | Paul Karalus |
| Minister of Defense, Minister of Foreign Affairs |
Dr. Feleti Sevele Feleti Sevele Feleti Vakaʻuta Sevele , styled Lord Sevele of Vailahi was the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga from 30 March 2006 to 22 December 2010.-Early life:Sevele was born in Ma’ufanga, Nuku’alofa... (acting) |
| Minister of Education, Women's Affairs, and Culture | Tevita Hala Palefau Tevita Hala Palefau Rev. Dr. Tevita Hala Palefau is a Tongan politician and Cabinet Minister.Palefau was born at Tu'anekivale, Vava'u, Tonga on June 14th, 1958. He is the oldest son of Kalaniuvalu Peauafi of Tu'anekivale and Koloa and Sokopeti Fakava Havea of Tu'anekivale and 'Ovaka, Vava'u... |
| Minister of Finance | Siosiua Utoikamanu |
| Minister of Justice | Samiu Vaipulu Samiu Vaipulu Samiu Kuita Vaipulu is Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga. He is member of the Tongan Parliament for the island of Vava'u.-Personal life:... |
| Attorney General Attorney General (Tonga) The position of Attorney General was established in the Kingdom of Tonga in 1988. From 1988 to 2009, the Attorney General jointly held the office of Minister of Justice.The current Interim Attorney General is Barrie Sweetman, appointed in August 2011... |
vacant |
| Minister of Lands, Survey, Natural Resources, and Environment | Siosaia Ma'Ulupekotofa Tuita |
| Minister of Police, Fire Services, and Prisons | Dr. Viliami Tangi Viliami Tangi Dr Viliami Ta’u Tangi, styled Lord Tangi of Vaonukonuka is a Tongan politician and former Cabinet Minister. He has previously served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health.... (acting) |
| Minister of Tourism | Fineasi Funaki Fineasi Funaki Fineasi Funaki was a Tongan politician and cabinet Minister. He was a member of the Human Rights and Democracy Movement.... |
| Minister of Training, Employment, Youth, and Sports | Siale'ataonga Tu'ivakano |
| Minister of Works | Nuku |
| Minister of Information and Communication | 'Eseta Fusitu'a |
| Minister of Revenue Services | Teisina Fuko |
| Governor of Ha'apai | Malupo |
| Governor of Vava'u | Sonatane Tu'akinamolahi Taumoepeau Tupou |
Source: "Tonga", C.I.A.
External links
- Cabinet of Tonga: information on the Tongan government website (page under construction)