Kingdom of Tonga Country Brief
Introduction
The Kingdom of Tonga is a constitutional monarchy, unique in the Pacific. The Tongan archipelago is comprised of 176 islands, 36 of which are inhabited. The islands lie south of Samoa, and to the east of Fiji, in the South Pacific Ocean.
Political Overview
Government
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 members of Cabinet (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 have been held every three years, with Nobles' and Peoples' Representatives being elected on different days. Elections were held in 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, Dr the Hon Feleti (Fred) Sevele, is Head of Government. Dr Sevele is concurrently Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Minister for Statistics, and Minister Responsible for Disaster Relief Activities.
Recent political developments
The political reform process has dominated politics in Tonga in recent years. The National Committee on Political Reform was established in 2005 to consult with Tongans, including those living overseas, about 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. The Committee 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 over 60 per cent of the central business district, resulted in eight deaths and caused damages estimated at US$100 million, diverting 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 ministries and the people’s 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 expected in 2010 will likely see an increase in the number of parliamentarians directly elected by the Tongan people (People's Representatives). The composition of constituencies is yet to be determined and debate continues in Tonga about an appropriate model which balances democratic representation with traditional ties to the monarchy.
On 22 July 2008, legislation was passed for the establishment of a Constitutional and Electoral Commission (CEC) tasked to examine almost all aspects of reform, including alternate electoral arrangements. In November 2008, the members of the CEC were announced. They commenced work in January 2009, and their final report is due on 5 November 2009. Australia and New Zealand financially support the work of the CEC.
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. Tonga receives an average of 200 million pa'anga per year in remittances (A$133 million). In 2008, Tonga's GDP was US$258 million (IMF forecast). Economic growth was 0.4 per cent for 2008-09 largely as a result of the impact of the global economic crisis. For the 2009-10 financial year, economic growth is expected to be 1.7 per cent.
Agriculture is the leading productive sector while the manufacturing sector is very small with stagnant export production in recent years. Tourism is modest but with potential for expansion.
Tonga's main trading partners are New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, the United States and Japan. Most Tongan exports are agricultural produce while imports cover the full range of consumer and industrial goods.
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. Tonga was the first country to send workers to Australia under the Pacific Seasonal Workers Pilot Scheme (PSWPS) and signed a Pacific Partnership for Development with Australia in August 2009 at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. In August 2009, Australia helped Tonga respond to the tragic sinking of the ferry Princess Ashika in waters north of the capital Nuku’alofa, providing rescue and recovery assistance, along with support for an interim ferry service pending a permanent replacement. In November 2006, 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 November 2006 riots in Tonga.
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. The Tongan Government established a permanent diplomatic mission to Australia in August 2008. HRH Prince Tupouto'a-Lavaka, Crown Prince of Tonga, commenced as Tonga's first High Commissioner to Australia and presented credentials in that same month.
Australia is providing $1.5 million over three years to support the Government of Tonga's constitutional and electoral reform program. Australia's support will facilitate the work of the Constitutional and Electoral Reform Commission (CEC), civic education programs, the 2010 elections and parliamentary training.
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 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
The Prime Minister of Tonga, Dr the Hon Feleti (Fred) Sevele visited Cairns Australia in August 2009 to attend the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. On 3 August, just prior to the Leaders Meeting, Dr Sevele spoke at the Lowy Institute’s conference, ‘The Pacific Islands and the World: the Global Economic Crisis' in Brisbane.
Australia’s Foreign Minister, the Hon Stephen Smith, visited Tonga on 3 June 2009. Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, the Hon Duncan Kerr SC MP visited Nuku'alofa in May 2009. Australian Trade Minister the Hon Simon Crean MP and the Parliamentary Secretary for International Assistance, the Hon Bob McMullan MP, visited Tonga in early April 2009 to discuss trade and development issues, including the prospective PACER Plus Pacific Free Trade agreement.
King George Tupou V visited Australia in October-November 2008. Tonga's former Foreign Minister Sonatane Tu'akinamolahi Taumoepeau-Tupou visited Australia in October-November 2008 to open the Tongan High Commission in Canberra. The then Governor-General Michael Jeffrey visited Tonga for the Coronation of King George Tupou V on 1 August 2008. The Tongan Prime Minister, Dr Sevele visited Australia as a Guest of Government in May 2008.. Mr McMullan and Mr Kerr 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 of August 2009, 116 Australians were registered with the Australian High Commission in Tonga, although many more Australians of Tongan heritage reside in, or visit, Tonga at any given time.
Tonga's population according to its 2006 census was 101,991. Around 72,000live 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. 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, telecommunications equipment and meat (excluding beef) to Tonga. Australia's merchandise trade (two-way) with Tonga totalled $14.6 million in 2007-08. Australian imports (principally vegetables, fruit and nuts) from Tonga in that period were valued at $702,000.
Australia is Tonga's most important bilateral provider of development assistance. Total Australian Overseas Development Assistance to Tonga in 2009-10 is estimated at $21.3 million, which includes $14.9 million towards a bilateral country program focused on reconstruction, business recovery, economic and public sector management, health, solid waste management, education and community development.
Tonga became the 151st member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 27July2007 after successfully completing accession requirements in December 2005.
Visitor Information
Australians travelling to Tonga are advised to consult the Smartraveller travel advice.
Updated 22 May 2009