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Commissioner for Public Relations Act 2001

TONGA

COMMISSIONER FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS ACT 2001
No. 10 of 2001

I assent,

TAUFA'AHAU TUPOU IV,
31st August, 2001.

AN ACT
TO MAKE PROVISIONS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MATTERS RELATED THERETO.

[9th August, 2001]

BE IT ENACTED by the King and Legislative Assembly of Tonga in the Legislature of the Kingdom as follows:-

Short Title and commencement

1. (1) This Act may be cited as the Commissioner for Public Relations Act 2001.

(2) This Act shall come into force on a date to be proclaimed by His Majesty in Council.

Interpretation

2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires -

"chief executive" means the Head of Department in the case of a Department; or the principal administrator in the case of an organization;

"Commissioner", in relation to any function, power, or duty under this Act, means the Commissioner for Public Relations for the time being investigating the complaint in respect of which the function, power, or duty is being exercised;

"Department" means any government ministry, department or office but does not include the Cabinet and Privy Council, the Legislative Assembly or the Judiciary;

"organisation" means any organisation listed in the Schedule;

"statutory body" includes a local authority and any like body of persons, whether corporate or unincorporated, established or constituted by or in accordance with the provisions of any Act.

Commissioner for Public Relations

3. (1) His Majesty in Council shall appoint a Commissioner for Public Relations to hold office during good behaviour.

(2) In the event of the absence or incapacity of the Commissioner or if the office of Commissioner is vacant, His Majesty in Council shall appoint a person to temporarily perform the duties of the Commissioner.

(3) The provisions of the laws and regulations relating to the Tonga Civil Service shall apply to the Commissioner.

Commissioner to hold no other office

4. The Commissioner shall not be capable of being a member of the Legislative Assembly, and shall not, without the approval of the Cabinet in each particular case, hold any office for profit, other than his office as the Commissioner, or engage in any occupation for reward outside the duties of his office.

Term of office of Commissioner

5. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the Commissioner shall hold office for a term of 5 years.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) a Commissioner shall hold office until his successor is appointed. The Commissioner may be re-appointed.

(3) The Commissioner may at any time resign his office by writing addressed to His Majesty in Council, and shall so resign his office on attaining the age of 72 years.

Removal or suspension from office

6. The Commissioner may at any time be removed or suspended from his office by His Majesty in Council for disability, bankruptcy, neglect of duty, or misconduct.

Filling of vacancy

7. If the Commissioner dies, or resigns his office, or is removed from office, the vacancy thereby created shall be filled in accordance with section 3.

Salaries and allowances of Commissioner

8. (1) There shall be paid to the Commissioner out of public money as salary and allowances as are determined by His Majesty in Council.

(2) The salary and allowances of the Commissioner are not to be diminished during the continuance of his appointment.

Oath or affirmation to be taken

9. Before entering upon the exercise of the duties of his office the Commissioner shall take the following oath or affirmation in the presence of Cabinet.

(a) The oath is -

"I solemnly swear before God that I will be truly loyal to His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, that I will perform my duties as Commissioner for Public Relations faithfully, honestly, diligently, impartially, without fear or favour, and that I will not except according to law divulge any information which I shall receive in the execution of my duties.";

(b) The affirmation is -

"I solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be truly loyal to His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, that I will perform my duties as Commissioner for Public Relations faithfully, honestly, diligently, impartially, without fear or favour, and that I will not except according to law divulge any information which I shall receive in the execution of my duties."

Staff

10. Such officers and employees as are necessary to enable the Commissioner to perform his duties shall be appointed in accordance with the laws and regulations relating to the Tonga Civil Service.

Functions of Commissioner

11. (1) It shall be a function of the Commissioner to investigate any decision or recommendation made, or any act done or omitted, whether before or after the passing of this Act, relating to a matter of administration and affecting any person or body of persons in his or its personal capacity, in or by any department or organisation to which this Act applies or by any officer (including the Minister or Governor), employee, or member of any such Department or organisation in his capacity as such officer, employee, or member.

(2) The Commissioner may make any such investigation either on a complaint made to the Commissioner by any person or on his own motion; and where a complaint is made he may investigate any decision, recommendation, act, or omission to which subsection (1) relates, notwithstanding that the complaint may not appear to relate to that decision, recommendation, act, or omission.

(3) Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this section, it is hereby declared that at any time the Prime Minister may, with the consent of the Commissioner, refer to the Commissioner for investigation and report any matter, other than a matter concerning a judicial proceeding, which the Prime Minister considers should be investigated by the Commissioner. Where a matter is referred to the Commissioner pursuant to this subsection, he shall, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Act, forthwith investigate that matter and report thereon to the Prime Minister. Nothing in section 18 shall apply in respect of any investigation or report made under this subsection.

(4) The powers conferred on the Commissioner by this Act may be exercised notwithstanding any provision in any enactment to the effect that any such decision, recommendation, act, or omission shall be final, or that no appeal shall lie in respect thereof, or that no proceeding or decision of the person or organisation whose decision, recommendation, act, or omission it is shall be challenged, reviewed, quashed, or called in question.

(5) Nothing in this Act shall authorise the Commissioner to investigate:

(a) Any decision, recommendation, act, or omission in respect of which there is, under the provisions of any Act or regulation, a right of appeal or objection, or a right to apply for a review, available to the complainant, on the merits of the case, to any Court, or to any tribunal constituted by or under any enactment, whether or not that right of appeal or objection or application has been exercised in the particular case, and whether or not any time prescribed for the exercise of that right has expired:

Provided that the Commissioner may conduct an investigation (not being an investigation relating to any decision, recommendation, act, or omission to which any other paragraph of this subsection applies) notwithstanding that the complainant has or had such right if by reason of special circumstances it would be unreasonable to expect him to resort or have resorted to it.

(b) Any decision, recommendation, act, or omission of any person in his capacity as a trustee.

(c) Any decision, recommendation, act, or omission of any person acting as legal adviser to the Crown or acting as counsel for the Crown in relation to any proceedings.

(6) Nothing in this Act shall authorise the Commissioner to investigate any matter relating to any person who is or was a member of the Tonga Defence Services or any matter relating to the Tonga Defence Services, so far as the matter relates to -

(a) The terms and conditions of his service as such member; or

(b) Any order, command, decision, penalty, or punishment given to or affecting him in his capacity as such member.

(7) If any question arises whether the Commissioner has jurisdiction to investigate any case or class of cases under this Act, he may, if he thinks fit, apply to the Supreme Court for a declaratory order determining the question.

(8) His Majesty in Council may by Order amend the Schedule.

Mode of complaint

12. (1) A complaint to the Commissioner may be made in writing or orally.

(2) A complaint made orally shall be put in writing as soon as practicable.

(3) Notwithstanding any provision in any enactment, where any letter appearing to be written by any person in custody on a charge or after conviction of any offence, or by any patient of any hospital within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 2001, is addressed to the Commissioner it shall be immediately forwarded, unopened, to the Commissioner by the person for the time being in charge of the place or institution where the writer of the letter is detained or of which he is a patient.

Commissioner may refuse to investigate complaint

13. (1) The Commissioner may -

(a) refuse to investigate a complaint that is within his jurisdiction or to investigate any such complaint further if it appears to him that under the law or existing administrative practice there is an adequate remedy or right of appeal to which it would have been reasonable for the complainant to resort; or

(b) refuse to investigate any such complaint further if in the course of the investigation of the complaint it appears to him that, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, any further investigation is unnecessary.

(2) Without limiting the generality of the powers conferred on the Commissioner by this Act, it is hereby declared that the Commissioner may in his discretion decide not to investigate, or, as the case may require, not to investigate further, any complaint if it relates to any decision, recommendation, act, or omission of which the complainant has had knowledge for more than 12 months before the complaint is received by the Commissioner, or if in his opinion -

(a) the subject-matter of the complaint is trivial;

(b) the complaint is frivolous or vexatious or is not made in good faith; or

(c) the complainant has not a sufficient personal interest in the subject-matter of the complaint.

(3) In any case where the Commissioner decides not to investigate or make further investigation of a complaint he shall inform the complainant of that decision, and shall state his reasons therefor.

Proceedings of Commissioner

14. (1) Before investigating any matter under this Act, the Commissioner shall inform the chief executive of the Department or organisation affected, of his intention to make the investigation.

(2) Every investigation by the Commissioner under this Act shall be conducted in private.

(3) The Commissioner may hear or obtain information from such persons as he thinks fit, and may make such inquiries as he thinks fit. It shall not be necessary for the Commissioner to hold any hearing, and no person shall be entitled as of right to be heard by the Commissioner: Provided that if any time during the course of an investigation it appears to the Commissioner that there may be sufficient grounds for his making any report or recommendation that may adversely affect any Department or organisation or person, he shall give to that Department or organisation or person an opportunity to be heard.

(4) In the case of an investigation relating to a Department, the Commissioner may in his discretion at any time during or after the investigation consult any Minister who is concerned in the matter of the investigation, and the Commissioner shall consult any Minister who so requests or to whom a recommendation which is the subject of the investigation has been made after the Commissioner has made the investigation and before he has formed a final opinion on any of the matters referred to in subsection (1) or subsection (2) of section 18.

(5) In the case of an investigation relating to an organisation the Commissioner may in his discretion at any time during or after the investigation consult the Chairman of the organisation concerned, and the Commissioner shall consult the Chairman of the organisation who so requests or to whom a recommendation which is the subject of the investigation has been made, after the Commissioner has made the investigation and before he has formed a final opinion on any of the matters referred to in subsection (1) or subsection (2) of section 18.

(6) If, during or after any investigation, the Commissioner is of the opinion that there is sufficient evidence of any significant breach of duty or misconduct on the part of any officer or employee of any Department or organisation, he shall refer the matter to the appropriate authority.

(7) Subject to the provisions of this Act and of any rules made for the guidance of the Commissioner for the time being in force, the Commissioner may regulate his procedure in such manner as he thinks fit.

Evidence.

15. (1) Subject to the provisions of this section and of section 16, the Commissioner may require any person who in his opinion is able to give any information relating to any matter that is being investigated by the Commissioner to furnish to him any such information, and to produce any documents or papers or things which in the Commissioner's opinion relate to any such matter as aforesaid and which may be in the possession or under the control of that person. This subsection shall apply whether or not the person is an officer, employee, or member of any Department or organisation, and whether or not such documents, papers, or things are in the custody or under the control of any Department or organisation.

(2) The Commissioner may summon before him and examine on oath -

(a) any person who is an officer or employee or member of any Department or organisation to which this Act applies and who in the Commissioner's opinion is able to give any such information as aforesaid;

(b) any complainant; or

(c) with the prior approval of the Attorney-General in each case, any other person who in the Commissioner's opinion is able to give any such information;

and for that purpose may administer an oath. Every such examination by the Commissioner shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of section 63 of the Criminal Offences Act (Cap. 18) (which relates to perjury).

(3) Subject to this section and to subsection (1) of section 16, any person who is bound by the provisions of any enactment to maintain secrecy in relation to, or not to disclose, any matter may be required to supply any information to or answer any question put by the Commissioner in relation to that matter, or to produce to the Commissioner any document or paper or thing relating to it, notwithstanding that compliance with that requirement would otherwise be in breach of the obligation of secrecy or non-disclosure.

(4) Compliance with a requirement of the Commissioner (being a requirement made pursuant to subsection (3)) is not a breach of the relevant obligation of secrecy or non-disclosure or of the enactment by which that obligation is imposed.

(5) Every person shall have the same privileges in relation to the giving of information, the answering of questions, and the production of documents and papers and thing as witnesses have in any Court.

(6) Except on the trial of any person for perjury within the meaning of the Criminal Offences Act (Cap. 18) in respect of his sworn testimony, no statement made or answer given by that or any other person in the course of any inquiry by or any proceedings before the Commissioner shall be admissible in evidence against any person in any Court or at any inquiry or in any other proceedings, and no evidence in respect of proceedings before the Commissioner shall be given against any person.

(7) No person shall be liable to prosecution for an offence against any enactment, other than this Act, by reason of his compliance with any requirement of the Commissioner under this section.

(8) Where any person is required by the Commissioner to attend before him for the purposes of this section, the person shall be entitled to the same fees, allowances, and expenses as if he were a witness in a Court. For the purposes of this subsection the Commissioner shall have the powers of a Court to fix or disallow, in whole or in part the amounts payable thereunder.

Disclosure of certain matters not to be required

16. (1) Where the Attorney General certifies that the giving of any information or the answering of any question or production of any document or paper or thing -

(a) might prejudice the security, defence, or international relations of Tonga (including Tonga's relations with the Government of any other country or with any international organisation), or the investigation or detection of offences;

(b) might involve the disclosure of the deliberations of Cabinet or Privy Council; or

(c) might involve the disclosure of proceedings of Cabinet, or Privy Council or of any committee of Cabinet, or Privy Council relating to matters of a secret or confidential nature, and would be injurious to the public interest -

the Commissioner shall not require the information or answer to be given or, as the case may be, the document or paper or thing to be produced.

(2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (1), the rule of law which authorises or requires the withholding of any document or paper, or the refusal to answer any question, on the ground that the disclosure of the document or paper or the answering of the question would be injurious to the public interest shall not apply in respect of any investigation by or proceedings before the Commissioner.

Commissioner and staff to maintain secrecy

17. (1) The Commissioner and every person holding office or appointment under the Commissioner shall maintain secrecy in respect of all matters that come to their knowledge in the exercise of their functions.

(2) Every person holding any office or appointment under the Commissioner shall, before he begins to perform any official duty under this Act, take the following oath or affirmation, to be administered by the Commissioner:

(a) The oath is -

"I solemnly swear before God that I will not except according to law divulge any information which I shall receive in this office or appointment."

(b) the affirmation is -

"I solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will not except according to law divulge any information which I shall receive in this office or appointment."

(3) Notwithstanding anything in subsections (1) and (2), the Commissioner may disclose such matters as in the Commissioner's opinion ought to be disclosed for the purposes of an investigation or in order to establish grounds for the Commissioner's conclusions and recommendations.

(4) The power conferred by subsection (3) shall not extend to the following:

(a) Any matter that might prejudice -

(i) the security, defence, or international relations of Tonga (including Tonga's relations with the Government of any other country or with any international organisation); or

(ii) the prevention, investigation, or detection of offences.

(b) Any matter that might involve the disclosure of the deliberations of Cabinet or Privy Council.

(c) Any information, answer, document, paper, or thing obtained by the Commissioner by reason only of compliance with a requirement made pursuant to subsection (3) of section 15.

Procedure after investigation

18. (1) The provisions of this section shall apply in every case where, after making any investigation under this Act, the Commissioner is of the opinion that the decision, recommendation, act, or omission which was the subject-matter of the investigation -

(a) appears to have been contrary to law;

(b) was unreasonable, unjust, oppressive, or improperly discriminatory;

(c) was based wholly or partly on a mistake of law or fact; or

(d) was wrong.

(2) The provisions of this section shall also apply in any case where the Commissioner is of the opinion that in the making of the decision or recommendation, or in the doing or omission of the act, a discretionary power has been exercised for an improper purpose or on irrelevant grounds or on the taking into account of irrelevant considerations, or that, in the case of a decision made in the exercise of any discretionary power, reasons should have been given for the decision.

(3) If in any case to which this section applies the Commissioner is of the opinion -

(a) that the matter should be referred to the appropriate authority for further consideration;

(b) that the omission should be rectified;

(c) that the decision should be cancelled or varied;

(d) that any practice on which the decision, recommendation, act, or omission was based should be altered;

(e) that any law on which the decision, recommendation, act, or omission was based should be reconsidered;

(f) that reasons should have been given for the decision; or

(g) that any other steps should be taken -

the Commissioner shall report his opinion, and his reasons therefor, to the appropriate Department or organisation, and may make such recommendations as he thinks fit. In any such case he may request the Department or organisation to notify him, within a specified time, of the steps (if any) that it proposes to take to give effect to his recommendations. The Commissioner shall also, in the case of an investigation relating to a Department send a copy of his report or recommendations to the Minister or Governor concerned, and, in the case of an investigation relating to an organisation send a copy of his report or recommendations to the Chairman of the organisation concerned.

(4) If within a reasonable time after the report is made no action is taken which seems to the Commissioner to be adequate and appropriate, the Commissioner, in his discretion, after considering the comments (if any) made by or on behalf of any Department or organisation affected, may send a copy of the report and recommendations to the Prime Minister who shall table the matter in the Privy Council with his appropriate recommendation.

(5) The Commissioner shall attach to every report sent or made under subsection (4) a copy of any comments made by or on behalf of the Department or organisation affected.

(6) Notwithstanding anything in this section, the Commissioner shall not, in any report made under this Act, make any comment that is adverse to any person unless the person has been given an opportunity to be heard.

Complainant to be informed.

19. (1) Where, on any investigation following a complaint, the Commissioner makes a recommendation under subsection (3) of section 18, and no action which seems to the Commissioner to be adequate and appropriate is taken thereon within a reasonable time, the Commissioner shall inform the complainant of his recommendation, and may make such comments on the matter as he thinks fit.

(2) The Commissioner shall in any case inform the complainant, in such manner and at such time as he thinks proper, of the result of the investigation.

Proceedings not to be questioned or to be subject to review

20. No proceeding of the Commissioner shall be held bad for want of form, and except on the ground of lack of jurisdiction, no proceeding or decision of the Commissioner shall be liable to be challenged, reviewed, quashed, or called in question in any Court.

Proceeding privileged

21. (1) (a) No proceedings, civil and criminal, shall lie against the Commissioner, or against any person holding any office or appointment under the Commissioner, for anything he may do or report or say in the course of the exercise or intended exercise of his functions under this Act unless it is shown that he acted in bad faith.

(b) No Commissioner, and no such person as aforesaid, shall be compelled to give evidence in any Court, or in any proceedings of a judicial nature, in respect of anything coming to his knowledge in the exercise of his functions under this Act.

(2) Anything said or any information supplied or any document, paper, or thing produced by any person in the course of any inquiry by or proceedings before the Commissioner under this Act shall be privileged in the same manner as if the inquiry or proceedings were proceedings in a Court.

Power of entry on premises

22. (1) For the purposes of this Act, but subject to the provisions of this section, the Commissioner may at any time enter upon any premises occupied by any Department or organisation and inspect the premises and, subject to the provisions of section 15 and 16, carry out therein any investigation that is within his jurisdiction.

(2) Before entering upon any such premises the Commissioner shall notify the chief executive of the Department or organisation by which the premises are occupied.

(3) The Attorney-General may from time to time by notice to the Commissioner exclude the application of subsection (1) to any specified premises or class of premises, if he is satisfied that the exercise of the power conferred by this section might prejudice the security, defence or international relations of Tonga (including Tonga's relations with the Government of any other country or with any international organisation).

Delegation of powers by Commissioner

23. (1) The Commissioner may from time to time, by writing under his hand, delegate to any person holding any office under him any of his powers under this Act, except this power of delegation and the power to make any report under this Act.

(2) Any delegation under this section may be made to a specified person or to the holder for the time being of a specified office or to the holders of offices of a specified class.

(3) Every delegation under this section shall be revocable at will, and no such delegation shall prevent the exercise of any power by the Commissioner.

(4) Any such delegation may be made subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Commissioner thinks fit, and may be made either generally or in relation to any particular case or class of cases.

(5) Until any such delegation is revoked, it shall continue in force according to its tenor. In the event of the Commissioner by whom it was made ceasing to hold office, it shall continue to have effect as if made by his successor.

(6) Any person purporting to exercise any power of the Commissioner by virtue of a delegation under this section shall, when required to do so, produce evidence of his authority to exercise the power.

Protection of name

24. (1) No person, other than the Commissioner appointed under this Act, may use the name "Commissioner for Public Relations" in connection with any business, trade, or occupation or the provision of any service, whether for payment or otherwise, or hold himself, or itself out to be the Commissioner except pursuant to an Act or with the prior written consent of the Commissioner.

(2) Every person who contravenes subsection (1) of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000.

Annual report

25. Without limiting the right of the Commissioner to report at any other time, but subject to the provisions of subsection (6) of section 18 and to any rules for the guidance of the Commissioner for the time being in force, the Commissioner shall in each year make a report to the Prime Minister on the exercise of his functions under the Act and the report shall be tabled in the Legislative Assembly by the Prime Minister.

Offences

26. Every person who -

(a) without lawful justification or excuse, wilfully obstructs, hinders, or resists the Commissioner or any other person in the exercise of his powers under this Act;

(b) without lawful justification or excuse, refuses or wilfully fails to comply with any lawful requirement of the Commissioner or any other person under this Act;

(c) wilfully makes any false statement to or misleads or attempts to mislead the Commissioner or any other person in the exercise of his powers under this Act;

(d) represents directly or indirectly that he holds any authority under this Act when he does not hold that authority; or

(e) is in breach of any oath or affirmation made under this Act,

commits an offence against this Act and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000.

Money to be appropriated.

27. Except as otherwise provided in this Act, all salaries and allowances and other expenditure payable or incurred under or in the administration of this Act shall be payable out of money to be appropriated by the Legislative Assembly for the purpose.

Audit.

28. The Auditor General shall be the auditor of all money and stores of the Commissioner and of all books and accounts and transactions relating thereto.

Regulations

29. His Majesty in Council may make such regulations or rules which are necessary or expedient for carrying out the purposes of this Act.

SCHEDULE
(Section 2)

ORGANISATIONS TO WHICH THIS ACT APPLIES

1. Tonga Broadcasting Commission
2. Tonga Communications Corporation
3. Tonga Electricity Power Board
4. Tonga Water Board
5. National Reserve Bank of Tonga
6. Tonga Development Bank
7. Frisco Hardware Limited
8. Home Gas Limited
9. International Dateline Hotel Company Limited
10. Leiola Duty Free Limited
11. Primary Produce Export Limited
12. Royal Tongan Airlines Limited
13. Sea Star Fishing Company Limited
14. Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Limited
15. Tongan Corporation
16. Tonga Investment Limited
17. Tonga Timber Limited
18. Retirement Fund Board
19. Ports Authority
20. Talamahu Market Authority

Passed by the Legislative Assembly this 9 day of August, 2001.

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TONGA

Fika 10 'o e 2001.

'Oku ou loto ki ai,

TAUFA'AHAU TUPOU IV,
31 'o 'Aokosi, 2001.

KO E LAO
KE TU'UTU'UNI KI HONO FOKOTU'U 'O E LAKANGA KO E KOMISIONA KI HE VA MO E KAKAI MO E NGAAHI ME'A FEKAU'AKI MO IA.

'OKU TU'UTU'UNI 'e he Tu'i mo e Fale Alea 'o Tonga 'i he Fakataha Alea 'o e Pule'anga 'o pehe:

Hingoa Nounou mo e kamata'anga

1. (1) 'E ui 'a e Lao ni ko e Lao ki he Komisiona ki he Va mo e Kakai 2001.

(2) Kuo pau 'e kamata ngaue'aki 'a e lao ni 'i ha 'aho 'e fanongonongo 'e he 'Ene 'Afio 'i he Fakataha Tokoni.

'Uhinga'i Lea

2. 'I he Lao ni, tukukehe 'o ka ha atu ha toe 'uhinga kehe 'i hono tu'unga' -

"pule fakahoko ngaue" 'oku 'uhinga ki he 'Ulu 'o e Potungaue kapau ko ha Potungaue; pe ko e pule lahi kapau ko ha kautaha;

"Komisiona", 'i he'ene fekau'aki mo ha ngaue, mafai, pe fatongia 'i he lao ni, 'oku 'uhinga ki he Komisiona ki he Va mo e Kakai 'i he taimi ko is 'a is 'oku ne fakatotolo'i 'a e launga 'a is 'oku ngaue'aki ki ai 'a e ngaue, mafai, pe fatongia;

"Potungaue" 'oku 'uhinga ki ha potungaue fakaminisita, Potungaue pe 'ofisi 'o e pule'anga ka 'oku 'ikai kau heni 'a e Kapineti mo e Fakataha Tokoni, Fale Alea pe ko e Fakamaau'anga;

"kautaha" 'oku 'uhinga ki ha kautaha 'oku lisi 'i he Tepile;

"sino fakalao" 'oku kau ai ha ma'u mafai fakalotofonua mo ha sino'i kakai tatau mo ia, kuo lesisita pe te'eki lesisita fakakautaha, 'a is kuo fokotu'u pe fakatahataha'i 'e he pe fakatatau ki he ngaahi tu'utu'uni 'a ha Lao.

Komisiona ki he Va mo e kakai

3. (1) Kuo pau ke fokotu'u 'e he 'Ene 'Afio 'i he Fakataha Tokoni ha Komisiona ki he Va mo e Kakai ke ne ma'u 'a e lakanga lolotonga 'oku ne anga lelei.

(2) 'I ha mama'o pe 'ikai lava ke ngaue 'a e Komisiona pe kapau 'oku 'ata 'a e lakanga Komisiona, kuo pau ke fokotu'u 'e he 'Ene 'Afro 'i he Fakataha Tokoni ha taha ke ne fakahoko fakataimi 'a e ngaahi fatongia 'o e Komisiona.

(3) Kuo pau ke ngaue'aki ki he Komisiona 'a e ngaahi lao mo e ngaahi tu'utu'uni fekau'aki mo e Kau Ngaue Fakapule'anga.

'Ikai ma'u 'e he Komisiona ha lakanga kehe

4. Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke lava 'a e Komisiona 'o memipa 'i he Fale Alea, pea kuo pau, 'e 'ikai ke ne ma'u ha lakanga kehe ke ma'u mei ai ha tupu, kehe mei hono lakanga ko e Komisiona, pe ke kau 'i ha fa'ahinga ngaue totongi 'i tu'a mei he ngaahi fatongia 'o hono lakanga, ta'e tomu'a fakangofua 'e he Kapineti 'i he me'a ko is taki taha.

Vaha'a taimi 'o e lakanga Komisiona

5. (1) Tukukehe ka tu'utu'uni kehe ki ai 'a e Lao ni, kuo pau 'e ma'u lakanga 'a e Komisiona ki ha vaha'a taimi ko e ta'u 'e 5.

(2) Neongo 'a e kupusi'i (1) kuo pau ke ma'u lakanga ha Komisiona kae'oua ke fokotu'u hano fetongi. 'E ngofua ke toe fokotu'u pe 'a e Komisiona.

(3) 'E ngofua ki he Komisiona 'i ha fa'ahinga taimi pe ke ne fakafisi mei hono lakanga 'aki ha'ane faitohi 'o fakatu'asila ki he 'Ene 'Afro 'i he Fakataha Tokoni, pea kuo pau ke ne fakafisi pehe mei hono lakanga 'i he hoko hono ta'u 72.

To'o pe fakamalolo'i fakataimi mei he lakanga

6. 'E ngofua ke to'o pe fakamalolo'i fakataimi 'a e Komisiona 'i ha fa'ahinga taimi pe mei hono lakanga 'e he 'Ene 'Afio 'i he Fakataha Tokoni 'i ha 'ikai lava ke ne fakahoko 'ene ngaue, mo'ua hulu, ta'etokanga ki he fatongia, pe anga kovi.

Tapuni 'a e lakanga 'ata

7. Kapau 'e pekia, pe fakafisi 'a e Komisiona mei hono lakanga, pe 'e to'o is mei he lakanga, kuo pau ke tapuni 'a e lakanga kuo 'ata tupu mei he me 'a ko is 'o fakatatau ki he kupu 3.

Ngaahi vahenga mo e ngaahi totongi 'a e Komisiona

8. (1) Kuo pau ke totongi ki he Komisiona mei he pa'anga 'a e pule'anga ha vahenga mo e ngaahi totongi 'a is 'e tu'utu'uni 'e he 'Ene 'Afio 'i he Fakataha Tokoni.

(2) 'E 'ikai ke holoki 'a e vahenga mo e ngaahi totongi 'a e Komisiona lolotonga 'a hono fokotu'u ia.

Fuakava pe fakapapau ke fai 'e he Komisiona

9. Kimu'a pea ne fakahoko 'a e ngaahi fatongia 'o hono lakanga kuo pau ki he Komisiona ke ne fai 'a e fuakava pe fakaapau ko 'eni 'i he 'ao 'o e Kapineti:

(a) Ko e fuakava 'eni -

"'Oku ou fuakava 'i he 'ao 'o e 'Otua teu fai talangofua mo'oni ki he 'Ene 'Afio ko e Tu'i ko Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, to u fakahoko fakamaatoato, totonu, fakamakukanga, ta'e filifili-manako, ta'e ilifia pe sio totongi hoku ngaahi fatongia ko e Komisiona, pea 'e 'ikai to u fakaha tukukehe 'o fakatatau ki he lao ha fakamatala to u ma'u 'i hono fakahoko hoku ngaahi fatongia."

(b) Ko e fakapapau 'eni -

"'Oku ou fakaha mo fakapapau heni to u fai talangofua mo'oni ki he 'Ene 'Afio ko e Tu'i ko Taufa'ahau IV, to u fakahoko fakamaatoato, totonu, fakamakukanga, ta'e filifilimanako, ta'e ilifia pe sio totongi hoku ngaahi fatongia ko e Komisiona, pea 'e 'ikai to u fakaha tukukehe 'o fakatatau ki he lao ha fakamatala to u ma'u 'i hono fakahoko hoku ngaahi fatongia."

Kau ngaue

10. Kuo pau ke fokotu'u ha kau 'ofisa mo e kau ngaue 'oku fiema'u ke tokoni ki he Komisiona ke fakahoko hono ngaahi fatongia 'o fakatatau ki he ngaahi lao mo e ngaahi tu'utu'uni fekau'aki mo e Kau Ngaue Fakapule'anga 'a Tonga.

Ngaahi ngaue 'a e Komisiona

11. (1) Kuo pau ko e ngaue 'a e Komisiona ke fakatotolo'i ha tu'utu'uni pe fokotu'u pe kuo fai, pe ha ngaue kuo fakahoko pe 'ikai fakahoko, 'o tatau ai pe pe kimu'a pe hili hono tali 'o e Lao ni, 'o fekau'aki mo ha me'a fakapule'i ngaue pea 'oku uesia fakaeia pe fakafo'ituitui ai ha taha pe ha sino 'o ha kakai, 'i ha pe 'e ha potungaue pe kautaha 'oku ngaue'aki ki ai 'a e Lao ni pe 'e ha 'ofisa (kau ai 'a e Minisita pe Kovana), taha ngaue pe memipa 'o ha Potungaue pe kautaha 'i hono lakanga ko ha 'ofisa, taha ngaue pe memipa pehe.

(2) 'E ngofua ke fakahoko 'e he Komisiona ha fakatotolo pehe 'o tatau ai pe kapau ko ha launga kuo fai ki he Komisiona 'e ha taha pe 'iate is pe; pea 'i hano fai ha launga pehe 'e ngofua ke ne fakatotolo'i ha tu'utu'uni, fokotu'u, ngaue pe ta'e fakahoko ngaue 'oku lau ki ai 'i he kupu si'i (1), neongo 'e lava ke ha 'oku 'ikai ha fekau'aki 'a e launga ko is mo e tu'utu'uni, fokotu'u, ngaue, pe ta'e fakahoko ngaue ko ia.

(3) 'O 'ikai fakangatangata heni 'a e ngaahi tu'utu'uni kimu'a 'o e kupu ni, 'oku fakaha heni 'e ngofua ki he Palemia 'i ha fa'ahinga taimi pe, 'i he loto ki ai 'a e Komisiona, ke ne 'oatu ki he Komisiona ke fakatotolo'i mo lipooti fekau'aki mo ha me'a, kehe mei ha me'a fekau'aki mo ha fakatonutonu faka-fakamakukanga, 'a is 'oku pehe 'e he Palemia 'oku totonu ke fakatotolo'i 'e he Komisiona. Ka 'oatu ha me'a ki he Komisiona 'o fakatatau ki he kupu si'i ni, kuo pau, neongo ha me'a 'i he Lao ni 'e fepaki mo ia, ke ne fakatotolo'i leva 'a e me'a ko is pea lipooti is ki he Palemia. Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ngaue'aki ha me'a 'i he kupu 18 'o fekau'aki mo ha fakatotolo pe lipooti kuo fai 'i he kupu si'i ni.

(4) 'E ngofua ke ngaue'aki 'a e ngaahi mafai kuo foaki ki he Komisiona 'e he Lao ni neongo ai pe ha tu'utu'uni 'i ha fa'ahinga lao 'o pehe kuo pau 'e aofangatuku ha tu'utu'uni, fokotu'u, ngaue, pe 'ikai fakahoko ha ngaue pehe, pe kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke fai ha tangi fekau'aki mo ia, pe kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke pole'i, vakai'i, fakata'e'aonga'i, pe fehu'ia ha fakatonutonu pe ha tu'utu'uni 'a e taha pe kautaha 'a is na'a ne fai 'a e tu'utu'uni ko ia'.

(5) Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ha me'a 'i he Lao ni to ne fakamafai'i 'a e Komisiona ke ne fakatotolo'i:

(a) Ha tu'utu'uni, fokotu'u, ngaue, pe ta'e fakahoko ha ngaue 'a is 'oku 'i ai ha totonu 'a e taha launga', 'i he tu'utu'uni 'o ha fa'ahinga Lao pe tu'utu'uni, ke ne tangi pe ke fakakikihi, pe ha totonu ke ne kole ki ha vakai'i, 'i he ngaahi mo'oni 'o e me'a ko ia', ki ha Fakamaau'anga, pe ki ha fakamaau'anga fakapotungaue kuo fa'u 'e ha pe 'i ha lao, 'o tatau ai pe pe kuo ngaue'aki 'a e totonu ke tangi pe kole ko ia' 'i he me'a toms ko ia' pe 'ikai, pea tatau ai pe pe kuo 'osi 'a e taimi kuo tu'utu'uni ke faka'aonga'i ai 'a e totonu ko ia' pe 'ikai: Ka kuo pau 'e ngofua ke fakahoko 'e he Komisiona' ha fakatotolo ('oku 'ikai ko ha fakatotolo fekau'aki mo ha tu'utu'uni, fokotu'u, ngaue, pe ngaue 'ikai fakahoko 'oku ngaue'aki ki ai ha palakalafi kehe 'o e kupu si'i ni) neongo 'oku ma'u pe na'e ma'u 'e he taha launga' ha totonu pehe kapau 'oku hoko ha ngaahi tu'unga makehe 'o ta'efakapotopoto ke fai ha 'amanaki to ne faka'aonga'i pe na'a ne faka'aonga'i ia.

(b) Ha tu'utu'uni, fokotu'u, ngaue, pe ta'e fakahoko ha ngaue 'a ha taha 'i hono fatongia ko ha talasiti.

(c) Ha tu'utu'uni, fokotu'u, ngaue, pe ta'e fakahoko ha ngaue 'a ha taha 'oku ne ngaue ko ha taha fale'i fakalao ki he Kalauni' pe to ne fakafofonga'i fakalao 'a e Kalauni 'o fekau'aki mo ha fakatonutonu fakalao.

(6) Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ha me'a 'i he Lao ni to ne fakamafai'i 'a e Komisiona ke ne fakatotolo'i ha me'a fekau'aki mo ha taha 'oku pe na'e memipa 'i he Tau Malu'i Fonua 'a Tonga 'i ha fa'ahinga me'a felave'i mo e Tau Malu'i Fonua 'a Tonga, ngata pe kapau 'oku fekau'aki 'a e me'a ko ia'-

(a) mo e ngaahi 'uhinga mo e ngaahi tu'unga 'o 'ene ngaue ko e memipa pehe; pe

(b) mo ha tu'utu'uni, fekau, tu'utu'uni, tautea (penalty), pe tautea (punishment) kuo fai ki ai pe uesia ai 'i hono lakanga ko ha memipa pehe.

(7) Ka fehu'ia pe 'oku 'i ai ha mafai 'o e Komisiona' ke fakatotolo'i ha me'a pe ha kalasi 'o ha ngaahi me'a 'i he Lao ni, 'e ngofua, kapau 'oku ne fakakaukau 'oku taau', ke ne kole ki he Fakamaau'anga Lahi' ki ha tu'utu'uni fakaha ke fakapapau'i 'a e fehu'i ko ia'.

(8) 'E ngofua ki he 'Ene 'Afro 'i he Fakataha Tokoni' 'aki ha Tu'utu'uni ke ne fakatonutonu 'a e Tepile.

Founga 'o e launga

12. (1) 'E ngofua ke fakahoko ngutu pe tohi ha launga ki he Komisiona'.

(2) Kuo pau ke tohi leva 'i he vave taha 'e ala lava' ha launga na'e fakahoko ngutu.

(3) Neongo ha tu'utu'uni 'i ha lao, ka 'i ai ha tohi 'oku ha na'e tohi 'e ha taha 'oku tauhi fakalao 'i ha faka'ilo pe hili hano fakahalaia'i ki ha hia, pe 'e ha taha mahaki 'i ha falemahaki 'i loto 'i he 'uhinga 'o e Lao ki he Fakalelei 'Atamai 2001, 'oku fakatu'asila ki he Komisiona' kuo pau ke 'oatu leva ia, 'o 'ikai fakaava, ki he Komisiona' 'e he toko taha 'oku ne lolotonga tokanga'i 'a e feitu'u pe fale 'oku tauhi fakalao ai 'a e taha na'a ne fai 'a e tohi'pe 'oku 'i ai 'a e taha mahaki ko ia'.

Ngofua ke fakafisi 'a e Komisiona ke fakatotolo'i ha launga

13. (1) 'E ngofua ki he Komisiona ke ne -

(a) fakafisi ke fakatotolo'i ha launga 'oku 'i loto 'i hono mafai' pe ke to e fakatotolo'i ha launga pehe kapau 'oku ha kiate is 'oku 'i ai ha fakalelei pe ha totonu fe'unga ke tangi 'i he lao' pe founga pule'i ngaue lolotonga' 'a is na'e mei fakapotopoto ke faka'aonga'i 'e he taha launga'; pe

(b) fakafisi ke to e fakatotolo'i ha launga pehe kapau lolotonga hono fakatotolo'i 'o e launga ko ia' 'oku ha kiate ia, 'i hano fakakaukau'i 'o e ngaahi tu'unga kotoa 'o e me'a ko ia, 'oku 'ikai fiema'u ke to e fakatotolo'i.

(2) 'O 'ikai fakangatangata 'a e ngaahi mafai fakalukufua kuo foaki ki he Komisiona' 'e he Lao ni, 'oku fakaha heni 'e ngofua ki he Komisiona' 'i he'ene fakakaukau ke ne tu'utu'uni 'e 'ikai ke ne fakatotolo'i, pe 'o hange ko is 'oku fiema'u 'e he me'a ko ia', 'e 'ikai ke ne to e fakatotolo'i, ha launga kapau 'oku fekau'aki mo ha tu'utu'uni, fokotu'u, ngaue, pe ha ta'e fakahoko ha ngaue 'a is na'e 'osi 'ilo ki ai 'a e taha launga 'o laka hake 'i he mahina 'e 12 kimu'a pea ma'u 'a e launga' 'e he Komisiona', pe kapau 'oku ne fakakaukau -

(a) 'oku launoa 'a e tefito 'o e launga';

(b) 'oku fakava'iva'inga pe fakatupu'ita 'a e launga' pe 'oku 'ikai ke fai 'i he loto ma'a; pe

(c) 'oku 'ikai ke 'i ai ha kaunga fakafo'ituitui fe'unga 'a e taha launga' 'i he tefito 'o e launga'.

(3) 'I ha me'a pe 'oku tu'utu'uni ai 'e he Komisiona' 'e 'ikai ke ne fakatotolo'i pe to e fakatotolo'i ha launga kuo pau ke ne fakaha ki he taha launga' 'a e tu'utu'uni ko ia', pea kuo pau ke ne fakaha 'ene ngaahi 'uhinga ki ai'.

Ngaahi founga ngaue 'a e Komisiona

14. (1) Kimu'a pea fakatotolo'i ha me'a 'i he Lao ni, kuo pau ke fakaha 'e he Komisiona ki he pule fakahoko ngaue 'o e Potungaue pe kautaha 'oku felave'i mo ia', 'oku ne loto ke fakahoko 'a e fakatotolo'.

(2) Kuo pau ke fakahoko fakapulipuli 'a e fakatotolo kotoa pe 'a e Komisiona' 'i he Lao ni.

(3) 'E ngofua ki he Komisiona ke ne fakamaau'i pe 'omai ha fakamatala mei ha ni'ihi 'oku ne fakakaukau 'oku taau', pea 'e ngofua ke ne fai ha ngaahi faka'eke'eke to ne pehe 'oku taau'. 'Oku 'ikai ke pau ke fai 'e he Komisiona' ha fakamaau, pea 'oku 'ikai ke 'i ai ha totonu 'a ha taha' ke fanongoa 'e he Komisiona': Ka 'okapu lolotonga hono fakahoko 'o ha fakatotolo 'oku ha ki he Komisiona' 'oku ngalingali ke 'i ai ha ngaahi tu'unga fe'unga ki ha'ane fai ha lipooti pe fokotu'u 'a is 'e lava ke uesia kovi ai ha Potungaue pe ha kautaha pe ha taha, kuo pau ke ne 'oange ha faingamalie ke fanongo 'a e Potungaue pe kautaha pe taha ko ia'.

(4) Kapau ko ha fakatotolo felave'i mo ha Potungaue, 'e ngofua ki he Komisiona' 'i he'ene fakakaukau' 'i ha taimi pe lolotonga pe hili 'a e fakatotolo' ke ne fetu'utaki mo ha Minisita 'oku fekau'aki mo e me'a 'oku fakatotolo'i', pea kuo pau ke fetu'utaki 'a e Komisiona' mo ha Minisita 'oku ne kole pehe pe 'a is kuo 'oatu ki ai ha fokotu'u 'oku tefito ai 'a e fakatotolo', hili hono fakahoko 'e he Komisiona' 'a e fakatotolo' pea kimu'a ke ne ma'u ha fakakaukau aofangatuku fekau'aki mo ha me'a 'oku lau ki ai 'i he kupu si'i (1) pe kupu si'i (2) 'o e kupu 18.

(5) Kapau ko ha fakatotolo felave'i mo ha kautaha 'e ngofua ki he Komisiona 'i he 'ene fakakaukau' 'i ha fa'ahinga taimi pe 'i he lolotonga pe hili 'a e fakatotolo' ke ne fetu'utaki ki he Sea 'o e kautaha ko ia', pea kuo pau ke fetu'utaki 'a e Komisiona ki he Sea 'o e kautaha' 'a is 'oku ne kole ki ha pe fai ki ai ha fokotu'u 'oku tefito ai 'a e fakatotolo', hili hono fakahoko 'e he Komisiona' 'a e fakatotolo'pea kimu'a ke ne ma'u ha fakakaukau aofangatuku fekau'aki mo e ngaahi me'a 'oku lau ki ai 'i he kupu si'i (1) pe kupu si'i (2) 'o e kupu 18.

(6) Kapau, lolotonga pe hili ha fakatotolo, 'oku pehe 'e he Komisiona' 'oku 'i ai ha fakamo'oni fe'unga 'o ha maumau'i lahi 'o ha fatongia pe anga kovi kuo fai 'e ha 'ofisa pe taha ngaue 'o ha Potungaue pe kautaha, kuo pau ke ne 'oatu 'a e me'a' ko is ki he ma'u mafai 'oku kau ki ai'.

(7) Fakatatau ki he ngaahi tu'utu'uni 'o e Lao ni mo e ngaahi tu'utu'uni lolotonga kuo fa'u ke tataki 'aki 'a e Komisiona', 'e ngofua ke pule'i 'e he Komisiona' 'ene founga ngaue 'i ha founga 'oku ne pehe 'oku taau'.

Fakamo'oni

15. (1) Fakatatau ki he ngaahi tu'utu'uni 'o e kupu ni mo e kupu 16, 'e ngofua ki he Komisiona'ke ne fiema'u ha taha 'oku ne pehe 'oku malava ke ne 'oatu ha fakamatala fekau'aki mo ha me'a 'oku lolotonga fakatotolo'i 'e he Komisiona' ke ne 'oatu kiate is ha fakamatala, pea ke ne 'oatu ha ngaahi tohi pe ngaahi pepa pe ngaahi me'a 'a is 'oku pehe 'e he Komisiona' 'oku felave'i mo ha me'a 'oku lau ki ai 'i mu'a pea 'a is 'oku ngalingali ke ma'u pe pule'i 'e he taha ko ia'. Kuo pau ke ngaue'aki 'a e kupu si'i ni 'o tatau ai pe pe ko e taha ko ia' ko ha 'ofisa, taha ngaue, pe memipa 'o ha Potungaue pe kautaha, pea tatau ai pe pe 'oku tauhi pe pule'i 'a e ngaahi tohi, ngaahi pepa, pe ngaahi me'a ko ia' 'e ha Potungaue pe kautaha.

(2) 'E ngofua ke ui mai 'e he Komisiona' ki hono 'ao' pea ke ne fakafehu'i fakafuakava -

(a) ha taha ko ha 'ofisa pe taha ngaue pe memipa 'o ha Potungaue pe kautaha 'oku kau ki ai 'a e Lao ni 'a is 'oku fakakaukau 'a e Komisiona' 'oku malava ke ne 'oatu ha fakamatala pehe 'o hange ko is 'oku lau ki ai 'i mu'a';

(b) ha taha launga; pe

(c) 'i ha tomu'a fakangofua 'e he 'Ateni Seniale' 'i he me'a taki taha, ha taha kehe 'oku fakakaukau 'a e Komisiona' 'oku malava ke ne 'oatu ha fakamatala pehe;

pea ki he taumu'a ko ia' 'e ngofua ke ne fakahoko ha fuakava. Ko e fakafehu'i kotoa pe 'oku fai 'e he Komisiona'kuo pau ke lau is ko ha fakatonutonu faka-fakamaau'anga 'i loto 'i he 'uhinga 'o e kupu 63 'o e Lao ki he Ngaahi Hia (Vahe 18) (fekau'aki mo e fuakava loi).

(3) Fakatatau ki he kupu ni pea ki he kupu si'i (1) 'o e kupu 16, ka 'i ai ha taha 'oku ha'iha'i 'e he ngaahi tu'utu'uni 'o ha lao ke ne tauhi fakapulipuli kau ki, pe ke tapu ke fakaha, ha me'a 'e ngofua ke fiema'u ke ne 'oatu ha fakamatala pe ha tali ki ha fehu'i 'e 'eke 'e he Komisiona' 'o fekau'aki mo e me'a ko ia', pe ke ne 'oatu ki he Komisiona' ha tohi pe pepa pe me'a fekau'aki mo ia, neongo 'e holo 'a e talangofua ki he fiema'u ko ia' ke maumau ai 'a e fatongia 'o e tauhi fakapulipuli pe tapu ke fakaha ko ia'.

(4) Ko e talangofua ki ha fiema'u 'a e Komisiona' ('a is ko ha fiema'u fakatatau ki he kupu si'i (3)) 'oku 'ikai ko ha maumau'i is 'o ha fatongia tauhi fakapulipuli pe tapu ke fakaha pe ko e lao 'oku ne hilifaki 'a e fatongia ko ia'.

(5) Kuo pau ke ma'u 'e he taha kotoa pe 'a e ngaahi monu'ia 'o fekau'aki mo hono 'oatu 'o e fakamatala, tali 'o e ngaahi fehu'i, mo hono 'oatu 'o e ngaahi tohi mo e ngaahi pepa mo e ngaahi me'a 'o hange ko is 'oku ma'u 'e he kau fakamo'oni 'i ha Fakamaau'anga.

(6) Tukukehe 'i hano hopo'i ha taha ki he fuakava loi 'i loto 'i he 'uhinga 'o e Lao ki he Ngaahi Hia (Vahe 18) 'o fekau'aki mo 'ene fakamatala fuakava', kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke tali ke hoko ha fakamatala na'e fai pea tali na'e 'oatu 'e he taha ko ia'pe ha taha kehe lolotonga ha faka'eke'eke na'e fai 'e he pe ha ngaahi fakatonutonu na'e fakahoko 'i he 'ao 'o e Komisiona' ko ha fakamo'oni fakafepaki ki ha taha 'i ha Fakamaau'anga pe ha faka'eke'eke pe ha fa'ahinga fakatonutonu 'e he pea kuo pau 'e 'ikai 'oatu ha fakamo'oni fekau'aki mo ha ngaahi fakatonutonu 'i he 'ao 'o ha Komisiona ko ha fakamo'oni fakafepaki ki ha taha.

Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke ala faka'ilo ha taha ki ha hia 'i ha lao, kehe mei he Lao ni, koe'uhi ko 'ene talangofua ki ha fiema'u 'a e Komisiona' 'i he kupu ni.

Kapau 'oku fiema'u 'e he Komisiona' ha taha ke ne ha'u ki hono ao ki he ngaahi taumu'a 'o e kupu ni, kuo pau ke ma'u 'e he taha ko ia' 'a e totonu ki he ngaahi totongi, ngaahi pa'anga, mo e ngaahi fakamole 'o hange pe ko ha taha fakamo'oni is 'i ha Fakamaau'anga. Koe'uhi ko e ngaahi taumu'a 'o e kupu si'i ni kuo pau ke ma'u 'e he Komisiona 'a e ngaahi mafai 'o ha Fakamaau'anga' ke fakapapau'i pe ke ta'ofi, katoa pe fakakonga 'a e lahi 'o e pa'anga 'oku ala totongi atu 'i ai'.

Fiema'u ke 'oua 'e fakaha ha ngaahi me's ni'ihi

16. (1) Kapau 'oku fakamo'oni'i 'e he 'Ateni Seniale' ko hono 'oatu 'o ha fakamatala pe ko hono tali 'o ha fehu'i pe 'oatu 'o ha tohi pe pepa pe me'a -

(a) 'e ala uesia kovi ai 'a e malu, malu'i, pe ngaahi va fakavaha'a-pule'anga 'o Tonga' (kau ai 'a e ngaahi va 'o Tonga mo e Pule'anga 'o ha fonua kehe pe mo ha kautaha fakavaha'apule'anga), pe ko hono fakatotolo'i pe 'ilo'i 'o e ngaahi hia;

(b) 'e ala kau ai hano fakaha 'o e ngaahi alea 'a e Kapineti pe Fakataha Tokoni'; pe

(c) 'e ala kau ai hano fakaha 'o ha ngaahi ngaue 'a e Kapineti', pe Fakataha Tokoni' pe ha komiti 'o e Kapineti', pe Fakataha Tokoni' 'o felave'i mo ha ngaahi me'a 'oku natula fakapulipuli pe fakataautaha, pea 'e kau kovi ki he lelei 'a e kakai' -

kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke fiema'u 'e he Komisiona' ke 'omai 'a e fakamatala' pe ke fai 'a e tali' ko is pe, 'o hange ko is 'e hoko', ke 'omai 'a e tohi' pe pepa' pe me'a ko ia'.

(2) Fakatatau ki he ngaahi tu'utu'uni 'o e kupu si'i (1), ko e tu'utu'uni 'a e lao' 'a is 'oku ne fakamafai'i pe fiema'u 'a hono ta'ofi 'o ha tohi pe pepa, pe ko e fakafisi ke tali ha fehu'i, koe'uhi' 'e kaunga kovi 'a hono fakaha 'o e tohi pe pepa pe ko e tali 'o e fehu'i ko ia' ki he lelei 'a e kakai' kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke faka'aonga'i is fekau'aki mo ha fa'ahinga fakatotolo pe ha ngaahi fakatonutonu 'i he 'ao 'o e Komisiona'.

Ke tauhi 'e he Komisiona mo e kau ngau 'a e fakapulipuli'

17. (1) Kuo pau ke tauhi 'e he Komisiona'mo e taha kotoa pe 'oku ma'u lakanga pe 'oku fokotu'u 'i he malumalu 'o e Komisiona' 'a e fakapulipuli 'o fekau'aki mo e ngaahi me'a kotoa pe to nau 'ilo ki ai 'i hono fakahoko 'a 'enau ngaahi ngaue'.

(2) Kuo pau ki he taha kotoa pe 'oku ne ma'u ha lakanga pe 'oku fokotu'u 'i he malumalu 'o e Komisiona' kuo pau, kimu'a ke ne kamata fakahoko ha fa'ahinga fatongia fakangaue 'i he Lao ni, ke ne fai 'a e fuakava pe fakapapau ko 'eni', 'a is 'e fakahoko 'e he Komisiona':

(a) Ko e fuakava"eni -

"'Oku ou fuakava 'i he 'ao 'o e 'Otua 'e 'ikai to u fakaha ha fa'ahinga fakamatala 'a is to u ma'u 'i hoku lakanga'pe fokotu'u' tukukehe 'o fakatatau ki he lao'.";

(b) ko e fakapapau' 'eni -

"'Oku ou fakaha mo fakapapau mo'oni mo totonu 'e 'ikai to u fakaha ha fa'ahinga fakamatala 'a is to u ma'u 'i hoku lakanga' pe fokotu'u' tukukehe 'o fakatatau ki he lao'.".

(3) Neongo ha me'a 'i he ongo kupu si'i (1) mo e (2), 'e ngofua ke fakaha 'e he Komisiona'ha ngaahi me'a 'oku pehe 'e he Komisiona' 'oku totonu ke fakaha ki he ngaahi taumu'a 'o ha fakatotolo pe koe'uhi ke fokotu'u ha ngaahi makatu'unga ki ha ngaahi tu'utu'uni aofangatuku mo e ngaahi fokotu'u 'a e Komisiona'.

(4) Ko e mafai kuo foaki 'e he kupu si'i (3) kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke ngaue'aki is ki heni:

(a) Ha me'a to ne ala uesia kovi -

(i) 'a e malu, malu'i pe ngaahi va fakavaha'apule'anga 'o Tonga' (kau ai 'a e ngaahi va 'o Tonga mo e Pule'anga 'o ha fonua kehe pe mo ha kautaha fakavaha'apule'anga); pe

(ii) 'a hono ta'ofi, fakatotolo'i, pe 'ilo'i 'o e ngaahi hia.

(b) Ha me'a 'e ala kau ki hano fakaha 'o e ngaahi alea 'a e Kapineti pe Fakataha Tokoni'.

(c) Ha fakamatala, tali, tohi, pepa, pe me'a na'e ma'u 'e he Komisiona' koe'uhi ko ha talangofua ki ha fiema'u kuo fai 'o fakatatau ki he kupu si'i (3) 'o e kupu 15.

Founga ngaue hili 'a e fakatotolo

18. (1) Kuo pau 'e ngaue'aki 'a e ngaahi tu'utu'uni 'o e kupu ni 'i he me'a kotoa pe, hill hono fai 'o ha fakatotolo 'i he Lao ni, kapau 'oku pehe 'e he Komisiona' ko e tu'utu'uni', fokotu'u', ngaue', pe ta'e fakahoko' ha ngaue 'a is na'e tefito ai ha fakatotolo -

(a) 'oku ha na'e maumau ai 'a e lao';

(b) na'e ta'e fakapotopoto, ta'etotonu, fakaehaua, pe filifilimanako ta'e totonu;

(c) na'e makatu'unga fakakatoa pe fakakonga 'i ha hala fakalao' pe mo'oni'i me'a; pe

(d) na'e hala.

(2) Kuo pau 'e ngaue'aki 'a e ngaahi tu'utu'uni 'o e kupu ni 'i ha me'a pe 'oku pehe 'e he Komisiona', 'i hono fai ha tu'utu'uni pe fokotu'u, pe fakahoko ha ngaue pe ta'e fakahoko 'a e ngaue ko ia', na'e ngaue'aki ki ai ha mafai fakaeia ki ha taumu'a ta'etotonu pe 'i ha ngaahi 'uhinga ta'e kaunga totonu ki ai pe ki hano fakakaukau'i 'o ha ngaahi me'a na'e ta'e kaunga totonu ki ai, pe, kapau na'e fai ha tu'utu'uni 'o ngaue'aki ha mafai fakaeia, na'e totonu ke 'oatu 'a e ngaahi 'uhinga ki he tu'utu'uni ko ia'.

(3) Kapau 'i ha fa'ahinga me'a pe 'oku kau ki ai 'a e kupu ni 'oku pehe 'e he Komisiona' -

(a) 'oku totonu ke 'ave 'a e me'a ko ia' ki he ma'u mafai 'oku kau ki ai' ke toe fai hano fakakaukau'i;

(b) 'oku totonu ke fakalelei'i 'a e ta'e fakahoko ha ngaue;

(c) 'oku totonu ke fakata'e'aonga'i pe liliu 'a e tu'utu'uni ko ia';

(d) 'oku totonu ke liliu ha fa'ahinga fakahoko ngaue 'a is na'e makatu'unga ai 'a e tu'utu'uni', fokotu'u', ngaue', pe ta'e fakahoko ha ngaue';

(e) 'oku totonu ke toe fakakaukau'i ha lao 'a is na'e makatu'unga ai 'a e tu'utu'uni', fokotu'u, ngaue, pe ta'e fakahoko ha ngaue';

(f) na'e totonu ke 'oatu 'a e ngaahi 'uhinga ki he tu'utu'uni ko ia'; pe

(g) 'oku totonu ke fakahoko ha ngaahi sitepu kehe -

kuo pau ke lipooti 'e he Komisiona' 'ene fakakaukau', mo 'ene ngaahi 'uhinga ki ai', ki he Potungaue pe kautaha 'oku kau ki ai', pea 'e ngofua ke ne fai ha ngaahi fokotu'u 'oku ne fakakaukau 'oku kau ki ai'. 'I ha me'a pehe 'e ngofua ke ne kole ki he Potungaue pe kautaha' ke fakaha ange kiate ia, 'i loto 'i ha taimi pau, ha ngaahi sitepu (kapau 'oku 'i ai) 'oku fakaangaanga ke ne fakahoko 'aki 'ene ngaahi fokotu'u'. Kuo pau foki ki he Komisiona', kapau ko ha fakatotolo fekau'aki mo ha Potungaue ke ne 'oatu ha tatau 'o 'ene lipooti' pe ngaahi fokotu'u' ki he Minisita pe Kovana 'oku fekau'aki mo ia', pea, kapau ko ha fakatotolo fekau'aki mo ha kautaha ke ne 'oatu ha tatau 'o 'ene lipooti'pe ngaahi fokotu'u' ki he Sea 'o e kautaha 'oku fekau'aki mo ia'.

(4) Kapau 'i loto 'i ha vaha'a taimi fakapotopoto hili hono fai 'o e lipooti' kuo 'ikai ke fakahoko ha ngaue 'a is 'oku pehe 'e he Komisiona' na'e totonu mo taau ke fakahoko', 'e ngofua ki he Komisiona', 'i he'ene fakakaukau', hili hano fakakaukau'i 'o e ngaahi fakamatala (kapau 'oku 'i ai) na'e fai 'e he pe ma'a ha fa'ahinga Potungaue pe kautaha 'oku felave'i mo ia', ke ne 'oatu ha tatau 'o e lipooti pe ngaahi fokotu'u' ki he Palemia 'a is kuo pau ke ne fakahu is ki he Fakataha Tokoni' fakataha mo ha'ane fokotu'u 'oku taau'.

(5) Kuo pau ke fakapipiki 'e he Komisiona' ki he lipooti kotoa pe kuo 'oatu pe fai 'i he kupu si'i (4) ha tatau 'o e ngaahi fakamatala kuo fai 'e he pe ma'a e Potungaue pe kautaha 'oku felave'i mo ia'.

(6) Neongo ha me'a 'i he kupu ni, kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke fai 'e he Komisiona', 'i ha lipooti kuo fai 'i he Lao ni, ha fakamatala 'oku kaungakovi ki ha taha kae'oua kuo 'oange ha faingamalie ke fanongoa 'a e taha ko ia'.

Ke fakaha ki he taha launga'

19. (1) Kapau, 'i ha fakatotolo hili ha launga, 'oku fai 'e he Komisiona' ha fokotu'u 'i he kupu si'i (3) 'o e kupu 18, pea 'oku 'ikai ke fakahoko ha ngaue 'a is 'oku pehe 'e he Komisiona"oku totonu mo taau ke fakahoko 'i loto 'i ha taimi fakapotopoto, kuo pau ke fakaha 'e he Komisiona' ki he taha launga 'a 'ene fokotu'u', pea 'e ngofua ke fai ha'a ne fakamatala ki he me'a ko ia' 'a is to ne pehe 'oku taau'.

(2) Kuo pau ke fakaha 'e he Komisiona' ki he taha launga' 'i he me'a kotoa pe, 'i he founga pea 'i he taimi 'oku ne pehe 'oku taau', 'a e ola 'o e fakatotolo'.

'Ikai fehu'ia pe vakai'i 'a e ngaue

20. Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke tu'utu'uni 'oku kovi 'a e ngaue 'a e Komisiona' koe'uhi ko e ta'e fai 'i he founga kuo tu'utu'uni', pea tukukehe kapau ko e 'uhinga' 'oku 'ikai ke 'i ai ha mafai, kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke ala pole'i, vakai'i, fakata'e'aonga'i, pe fakafehu'ia 'i ha Fakamaau'anga 'a e ngaue pe tu'utu'uni 'a e Komisiona'.

Monu'ia 'o e ngaue

21. (1) (a) Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke faka'ilo, sivile mo e hia, 'a e Komisiona', pe ha taha 'oku ne ma'u ha lakanga pe fokotu'u 'i he malumalu 'o e Komisiona', ki ha fa'ahinga me'a na'a ne fai pe lipooti pe lea 'aki lolotonga 'a e fakahoko pe fakataumu'a ke fakahoko 'ene ngaahi ngaue 'i he Lao ni tukukehe kapau 'e 'ilo na'a ne fakahoko is 'i he loto kovi.

(b) Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke ala fekau'i 'a e Komisiona', pe ha taha 'oku lau ki ai 'i 'olunga', ke ne fakamatala fakamo'oni 'i ha Fakamaau'anga, pe 'i ha fakatonutonu 'oku natula faka fakamaau'anga, 'o fekau'aki mo ha me'a na'a ne 'ilo 'i he fakahoko 'ene ngaahi ngaue 'i he Lao ni.

(2) Ko ha me'a na'e lea 'aki pe ha fakamatala na'e 'oatu pe ha tohi, pepa, pe me'a na'e 'oatu 'e ha taha lolotonga ha faka'eke'eke pe fakatonutonu na'e fakahoko 'i he 'ao 'o e Komisiona' 'i he Lao ni kuo pau ke ne ma'u 'a e monu'ia 'i he founga 'o hange pe ko ha hopo 'i ha Fakamaau'anga' 'a e faka'eke'eke' pe fakatonutonu' ko ia'.

Mafai ke hu ki ha ngaahi fale

22. (1) Ki he ngaahi taumu'a 'o e Lao ni, kae fakatatau ki he ngaahi tu'utu'uni 'o e kupu ni, 'e ngofua ki he Komisiona' 'i ha fa'ahinga taimi pe ke ne hu ki ha ngaahi fale 'oku nofo'i 'e ha Potungaue pe kautaha mo sivi 'a e ngaahi fale ko ia'pea, fakatatau ki he ngaahi tu'utu'uni 'o e ongo kupu 15 mo e 16, ke ne fakahoko ai ha fakatotolo 'oku 'i hono mafai'.

(2) Kimu'a pea ne hu ki ha ngaahi fale kuo pau ke fakaha 'e he Komisiona'ke 'ilo 'e he pule fakahoko ngaue 'o e Potungaue pe kautaha 'oku ne nofo'i 'a e ngaahi fale ko ia'.

(3) 'E ngofua ki he 'Ateni Seniale' ke ne tu'utu'uni mei he taimi ki he taimi 'i ha fanongonongo ki he Komisiona'ke 'oua 'e ngaue'aki 'a e kupu si'i (1) ki ha ngaahi fale pe kalasi 'o ha ngaahi fale pau, kapau 'oku ne fiemalie 'e ala uesia kovi 'e hano ngaue'aki 'o e mafai kuo foaki 'e he kupu ni 'a e malu, malu'i pe ngaahi va fakavaha'apule'anga 'o Tonga'(kau ai 'a e ngaahi va 'o Tonga mo ha Pule'anga 'o ha fonua kehe pe ha kautaha fakavaha'apule'anga).

'Oatu 'o e ngaahi mafai 'e he Komisiona'

23. (1) 'E ngofua ki he Komisiona' mei he taimi ki he taimi, 'i ha tohi 'e fai 'e hono nima', ke ne 'oatu ki ha taha 'oku ne ma'u ha lakanga 'i hono malumalu' ha taha 'o hono ngaahi mafai 'i he Lao ni, tukukehe 'a e mafai 'oatu mafai ko eni' mo e mafai ke fai ha lipooti 'i he Lao ni.

(2) 'E ngofua ke 'oatu ha mafai 'i he kupu ni ki ha taha pau pe ki ha taha 'oku ne lolotonga ma'u ha fo'i lakanga pau pe ki ha ni'ihi 'oku nau ma'u ha ngaahi kalasi lakanga pau.

(3) Kuo pau 'e ala fakata'e'aonga'i 'i ha taimi pe 'a e 'oatu mafai kotoa pe 'i he kupu ni, pea kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke ta'ofi 'e he 'oatu 'o e mafai' 'a e ngaue'aki 'e he Komisiona' ha mafai.

(4) 'E ngofua ke fai ha 'oatu mafai pehe 'o fakatatau ki ha ngaahi fakangatangata mo ha ngaahi tu'unga 'e pehe 'e he Komisiona' 'oku taau', pea 'e ngofua ke 'oatu is fakalukufua pe felave'i mo ha me'a pe kalasi 'o ha ngaahi me'a pau.

(5) Kae'oua ke toki fakata'e'aonga'i ha 'oatu mafai pehe, kuo pau ke hokohoko atu hono 'conga"o fakatatau ki hono fakalea'. Kapau 'oku ngata 'a e lakanga 'o e Komisiona na'a ne 'oatu ia', kuo pau ke hokohoko atu hono 'aonga' 'o hange pe na'e 'oatu is 'e hono fetongi'.

(6) Ko ha taha 'oku taumu'a ke fakahoko ha mafai 'o e Komisiona' koe'uhi ko ha 'oatu mafai 'i he kupu ni kuo pau, kapau 'e fiema'u ke ne fai pehe, ke ne fakaha ha fakamo'oni 'o hono mafai ke ne fakahoko 'a e mafai ko ia'.

Malu'i 'o e hingoa

24. (1) 'E 'ikai ngofua ki ha taha, kehe mei he Komisiona kuo fokotu'u 'i he Lao ni, ke ne ngaue'aki 'a e hingoa "Komisiona ki he Va mo e Kakai" 'o fekau'aki mo ha pisinisi, fefakatau'aki, pe ngaue pe ko hono 'oatu ha sevesi, ki ha totongi pe ha me'a kehe, pe to ne fakaha ko e Komisiona ia, tukukehe 'o fakatatau ki he Lao pe 'i he tomu'a loto ki ai 'a e Komisiona 'i he tohi.

(2) Ko e tokotaha kotoa pe 'oku ne maumau'i 'a e kupu si'i (1) 'o e kupu ni 'oku ne fai ha hia pea 'oku ala mo'ua 'i ha'ane halaia ki ha tautea pa'anga 'e 'ikai laka hake 'i he $1,000.

Lipooti fakata'u

25. 'O 'ikai fakangatangata 'a e totonu 'a e Komisiona' ke ne fai ha lipooti 'i ha fa'ahinga taimi kehe, kae fakatatau ki he ngaahi tu'utu'uni 'o e kupusi'i (6) 'o e kupu 18 pea ki ha ngaahi tu'utu'uni 'oku tataki 'aki 'a e Komisiona' 'oku lolotonga 'conga, kuo pau ki he Komisiona' 'i he ta'u taki taha ke ne fai ha lipooti ki he Palemia 'o fekau'aki mo hono fakahoko 'a 'ene ngaahi ngaue 'i he Lao ni. Pea 'e fakaha 'e he Palemia 'a e Lipooti ki he Fale Alea.

Ngaahi Hia

26. Ko e taha kotoa pe 'oku ne-

(a) fakafe'atungia'i fakalotokovi, ta'ofi, pe fakafepaki'i 'a e Komisiona' pe ha taha kehe We ha totonu pe 'uhinga fakalao 'i he'ene fakahoko hono ngaahi mafai 'i he Lao ni;

(b) fakafisi pe We fakahoko fakalotokovi ha fiema'u fakalao 'a e Komisiona'pe ha taha kehe 'i he Lao ni We ha totonu pe 'uhinga fakalao;

(c) fai fakalotokovi ha fakamatala loi ke pe takihala'i pe feinga ke takihala'i 'a e Komisiona'pe ha taha kehe 'i he fakahoko hono ngaahi mafai 'i he Lao ni;

(d) fakaha atu hangatonu pe ta'ehangatonu 'oku ne ma'u ha mafai 'i he Lao ni kae hili ko ia' 'oku 'ikai ke ne ma'u ha mafai pehe; pe

(e) maumau'i ha fuakava pe fakaapau kuo fakahoko 'i he Lao ni,

'oku ne fai ha hia 'i he Lao ni pea 'e ala mo'ua 'i ha'ane halaia ki ha tautea pa'anga 'e 'ikai laka hake 'i he $5,000.

Ke vahe'i ha pa'anga

27. Tukukehe ha tu'utu'uni kehe 'a e Lao ni, kuo pau ke totongi 'a e ngaahi vahenga mo e ngaahi totongi mo e fakamole kehe kotoa pe fakatatau ki he pe 'i he fakahoko 'o e Lao ni mei he pa'anga 'e vahe'i 'e he Fale Alea' ki he taumu'a ko ia'.

'Atita

28. Ko e 'Atita Seniale' kuo pau ko e 'atita is 'o e ngaahi pa'anga mo e ngaahi koloa kotoa pe 'a e Komisiona' mo e ngaahi tohi mo e ngaahi 'akauni mo e ngaahi ngaue fakapa'anga kotoa pe felave'i mo ia.

Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni

29. 'E ngofua ki he 'Ene 'Afio 'i he Fakataha Tokoni'ke ne fa'u ha ngaahi tu'utu'uni pe ngaahi fekau 'a is 'oku fiema'u pe 'conga ki hono fakahoko 'o e ngaahi taumu'a 'o e Lao ni.

TEPILE
(Kupu 2)

NGAAHI KAUTAHA 'OKU KAU KI AI 'A E LAO NI

1. Komisoni Fakamafolalea 'a Tonga
2. Kautaha Fetu'utaki 'a Tonga
3. Poate 'Uhila 'a Tonga
4. Poate Vai 'a Tonga
5. Pangike Pule Fakafonua 'a Tonga
6. Pangike Langa Fakalakalaka 'a Tonga
7. Frisco Hardware Limited
8. Home Gas Limited
9. International Dateline Hotel Company Limited
10. Leiola Duty Free Limited
11. Primary Produce Export Limited
12. Royal Tongan Airlines Limited
13. Sea Star Fishing Company Limited
14. Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Limited
15. Tongan Corporation
16. Tonga Investment Limited
17. Tonga Timber Limited
18. Poate Sino'i Pa'anga Malolo mei he Ngaue
19. Ma'u Mafai ki he Ngaahi Taulanga
20. Talamahu Market Authority

Na'e tali 'e he Fale Alea 'i he 'aho 9 'o 'Akosi, 2001.

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