The 2010
Tongan Legislative Assembly was established following the
2010 elections, the first under a new system which saw the majority of seats elected by universal suffrage.[1] The
Taimi Media Network described it as "Tonga's first democratically elected Parliament".[2]
The Speaker of the 2010 Assembly was
Lord Lasike,[3] until he lost his seat in Parliament on 18 July 2012, following conviction for illicit ammunitions ownership. He was replaced as Speaker by
Lord Fakafanua.[4] The Deputy Speaker was initially
Lord Tuʻiʻafitu,[3] until he was appointed Minister for Health on 2 July 2012, whereupon he was replaced by
Lord Tu'iha'teiho.[5]
On 18 July 2012,
Lord Lasike, Nobles' Representative for
ʻEua and
Speaker of the Assembly, lost his seat by order of the King in application of the Constitution, following his conviction in court for illegal possession of firearms munitions.[12][13] He was replaced by
Lord Nuku in
a by-election on 2 August.[14]
Lord Fusituaʻa, Nobles' Representative for the
Niuas, died on 24 April 2014. His son
Mataʻiʻulua ʻi Fonuamotu inherited his title on 6 May. The new Lord Fusituaʻa won his father's seat in Parliament through
a by-election on 22 May.[15]
References
^Agence France-Presse (24 November 2010).
"Tonga set for landmark vote". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 November 2010.