Abstract
The Kingdom of Tonga consists of more than 170 islands (including numerous uninhabited ones) spread over an area roughly the size of Japan. It became a Polynesian kingdom in 1845, a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. In 1970 it gained full independence. Today, Tonga is a constitutional monarchy with a unicameral Legislative Assembly. Head of State is the King, whereas the Prime Minister is the Head of Government and is elected by and from the Members of Parliament and appointed by the Monarch. The Cabinet is then nominated by the Prime Minister and appointed by the Monarch. In addition, there is a Privy Council advising the Monarch.
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Notes
- 1.
Cf BBC country profile Tonga (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-16197014) and CIA World Factbook (Tonga).
- 2.
UN estimate 2010, respectively CIA World Factbook July 2011 estimate.
- 3.
About to be changed to “Ombudsman Tonga”, cf p. 276 below.
- 4.
The Commissioner him- or herself is not a public servant, but the investigators and staff are.
- 5.
The post of Commissioner has been vacant since November 2006. The Senior Investigations Officer, Mr Pilimisolo Tamo’ua, has acted as officer-in-charge since, and works towards convincing the Tongan authorities to strengthen the office “to become a more effective integrity Institution for Tonga.” Information provided by the Institution.
- 6.
Currently acting as the office’s officer-in-charge. According to s3(2) CPRA, the King shall appoint a person to temporarily perform the duties of the Commissioner.
- 7.
Cf Sect. 1.1.3, p. 6 for details.
- 8.
To improve readability, the text refers only to “action”. However, this term shall be understood as including any decision, recommendation, act, or omission (terminology used in the law).
- 9.
Cf APOR Manual 2009, p. 120.
- 10.
Cf Annual Report (Commonwealth Ombudsman) 2008/2009, p. 121.
- 11.
Information considered necessary to decide whether or not a complaint should be investigated.
- 12.
Inter alia, for public awareness of the role and powers of the office.
- 13.
Cf APOR Manual 2009, p. 120.
- 14.
According to information provided by the Institution.
- 15.
Cf POA Network News Issue 26, December 2011.
- 16.
He or she may also consult any Minister respectively chair of the organisation concerned at any time during the investigation at his or her discretion.
- 17.
Cf Sect. 3.2.6.2, p. 55 for more details.
- 18.
APOR Manual 2009, p. 116 et seq.
Reference
Commonwealth Ombudsman (2009a) Australasia and Pacific Ombudsman region information manual 2009. Commonwealth Ombudsman, Canberra. www.ombudsman.gov.au/docs/APOR-Manual_20091009.pdf. Accessed 10 Nov 2011
Further Reading
Overview of Legislation: http://legislation.to/Tonga/DATA/PRIN/2001-010/CommissionerforPublicRelationsAct2001.pdf
Annual Report: Currently not available online
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Frahm, M. (2013). Tonga: Commissioner for Public Relations. In: Australasia and Pacific Ombudsman Institutions. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-33896-0_21
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-33896-0_21
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