Kingdom of Tonga Country Brief - June 2008
Introduction
Australia has strong relations with Tonga, including economic and social links and extensive development and defence cooperation programs.
Political Overview
System of Government
Tonga is a constitutional monarchy, unique in the Pacific. The governing structure in Tonga comprises the King in Privy Council, the Cabinet, the Legislative Assembly and the Judiciary.
The King is Head of State and the Prime Minister is Head of Government. The King presides over the Privy Council which comprises the 16 members of Cabinet (14 ministers, including the Prime Minister plus the Governors of Ha'apai and Vava'u). The Privy Council is the highest executive authority in the Kingdom. The King appoints the ministers and governors; in effect, this means appointment for life or until they receive his permission to retire or are asked to resign.
The Constitution provides for a legislative assembly comprising the 16 members of Cabinet, nine elected representatives of the Nobles (there are 33 noble titles in Tonga) and nine elected representatives of the people. Elections for the Assembly are held every three years, with Nobles' and Peoples' Representatives being elected on different days. Elections were held on 24 April 2008 under the existing arrangements. It is expected that the 2010 elections will be held under new arrangements following a process of political reform.
HM King George Tupou V is Head of State. The Prime Minister, Hon Dr Feleti (Fred) Sevele, is Head of Government. Dr Sevele is concurrently Minister for Communications, Minister Responsible for Disaster Relief Activities and Minister Responsible for Tongans Abroad. The Deputy Prime Minister is the Hon Dr Viliami Tau Tangi, who is also Minister for Health. The Foreign Affairs Minister is the Hon Sonatane Tu'akinamolahi Taumoepeau-Tupou. The Hon. ‘Afu’alo Matoto, Minister for Public Enterprises and Information, was appointed Minister for Finance and National Planning on 20 March 2008 following the resignation of the former minister on 25 February 2008.
Recent political developments
The political reform process has dominated the political context in Tonga in recent years. The National Committee on Political Reform was established in 2005 to consult with Tongans of all walks of life regarding reform options. The Committee was chaired by the late King’s nephew HRH Prince Tu’ipelehake (now deceased) and received funding support from the Governments of Australia and New Zealand. It was tasked to undertake consultations on reform with Tongans of all walks of life, including the Tongan diaspora, and presented its report to the former King and Prince Regent on 31 August 2006.
Frustrations about delays in the parliament’s consideration of the report are said to have contributed to riots in Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, on 16 November 2006. The riots, which destroyed much of the central business district and resulted in a number of deaths, diverted attention from the reform process, as the Government focused on rebuilding the capital and prosecuting those responsible for the riots.
A tripartite committee on political reform was established by the Government in July 2007 to develop a roadmap on reform. The committee, comprising representatives of the nobles, the ministry and the people representatives, provided recommendations to the Assembly on the composition of parliament, and the timing of elections. Elections were held in April 2008 to elect the 18 members of the Legislative Assembly (nine People’s Representatives and nine nobles). The elections were the last to be held under the existing model of representation. Elections in 2010 will see an increase in the number of parliamentarians directly elected by the Tongan people, with the number of People’s Representatives being increased to 17. It has been agreed that the Prime Minister and ministers will be selected from among the elected Peoples Representatives and nobles, except for four ministers who will be selected by the King. The composition of constituencies is yet to be determined and there remains much debate in Tonga about an appropriate model which balances democratic representation with traditional ties to the monarchy.
Economic Overview
Tonga has a small economy that is heavily reliant on remittances from Tongans living and working overseas and foreign aid to fund a large current account deficit. The most recent figures, from 2005-06, show annual estimated remittances of T$205 (A$ 127) million. In 2008, GDP is A$234.1 million. Economic growth is projected at 0.08% for 2008. Currently, inflation is running at 10 per cent according to the Reserve Bank of Tonga.
Agriculture is the leading productive sector, with squash pumpkin exports to Japan in recent years forming the main agricultural activity. The manufacturing sector is very small with stagnant export production in recent years. Tourism is modest but with some potential for expansion.
Tonga's main trading partners are New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, the United States and Japan. Most Tongan exports are agricultural produce, predominantly squash pumpkin, while imports cover the full range of consumer and industrial goods.
Tonga’s 2007-08 budget focuses on restraining government expenditure, stimulating business recovery and strengthening the private sector in order to restore stability and lay the platform for economic growth. In 2007, the Government of Tonga established the National Economic Development Council, a T$15 million initiative to stimulate economic growth by identifying, and recommending to cabinet, policy initiatives for a private sector led economy. The Council, chaired by Prime Minister Sevele, aims to facilitate private sector initiatives in agriculture, fisheries, tourism and infrastructure.
Bilateral Relationship
Australia and Tonga enjoy a close bilateral relationship, which was demonstrated by Australia’s quick response to Prime Minister Sevele’s request for assistance after the November 2006 riots. In conjunction with New Zealand, Australia deployed 52 Australian Defence Force personnel and 61 Australian Federal Police to assist with the restoration of law and order following the riots.
Australia continues to work with Tonga to assist its reconstruction process, including through the Tonga Business Recovery Facility, which is a joint initiative between the governments of Tonga, Australia and New Zealand. Australia has made a total contribution of A$6.5 million to assist businesses and increase liquidity in the economy.
Tonga's Defence Services operate three patrol boats provided under Australia's Pacific Patrol Boat Program. Australia has been, and continues to be, an important focus for Tongans seeking education, travel, business and other personal contacts.
Australia and Tonga work closely in the Pacific Islands Forum and cooperate in the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands through the contribution of military and police personnel to RAMSI operations. Tonga is also an active member of other Pacific regional organizations (SPREP, SOPAC and Forum Fisheries Agency). Tonga has been influential on a number of regional issues including transport, telecommunications and fisheries.
Tonga is a long-standing member of the Commonwealth, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and various UN specialized agencies. Tonga joined the United Nations in September 1999.
Recent visits
Dr Sevele visited Australia as a Guest of Government in May 2008, his third visit to Australia in as many years. The Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, the Hon Bob McMullan MP, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, the Hon Duncan Kerr SC MP, visited Tonga in February 2008.
Tongan community in Australia
The 2006 Census recorded 7580 Tongan-born persons in Australia.
The largest enclaves of Tongans in Australia are in Victoria and NSW, with smaller groups in the ACT and in Brisbane. Tongans have achieved notable success in sport, with Tongan athletes contributing to the Australian Rugby Union and Rugby League teams. The last Wallaby World Cup team had three players of Tongan ancestry (Mark Gerrard, George Smith and Wycliff Palu).
Tongans have also made a contribution to the Uniting Church, with the President of the Uniting Church for Victoria and Tasmania being a Tongan-born Australian.
As at 1 June 2008, 83 Australians had registered with the High Commission in Tonga.
Tonga's population according to its 2006 census was 101,134. 70% live on the main island of Tongatapu, about 15,500 live on the Vava'u group of islands and 7,500 on the Ha'apai group. Average annual population increase between 1996 and 2006 was 0.34 per cent. Like most Pacific countries, Tonga has experienced urban drift and the capital, Nuku'alofa, now has a population of more than 40,000.
Although firm figures are not available, it is estimated that more than 100,000 people of Tongan descent live overseas with about 40,000 in New Zealand and close to 20,000 on the west coast of the United States.
Bilateral economic and trade relationship
Australia is a major supplier of tobacco, propane and food to Tonga. Australia's merchandise trade (two-way) with Tonga totalled A$13.11 million in 2007. Australian imports (principally food) from Tonga in that period were valued at A$483,000.
Australia is Tonga's most important bilateral provider of development assistance. Total Australian Overseas Development Assistance to Tonga in 2008-09 is estimated at A$19.3 million, comprising A$13.2 million country program of bilateral programs in reconstruction, business recovery, economic and public sector management, health, solid waste management, fisheries, scholarships and community development.
Tonga became the 151st member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on July 27 2007 after successfully completing accession requirements in December 2005.
Visitor Information
Australians travelling to Tonga are advised to consult the Smartraveller travel advice.