The first Parliament session for 2017 has ended. It has been adjourned until 7 March 2017.

The session started on Tuesday at the temporary Parliament precinct at Tuanaimato.

On Tuesday, seven papers were presented in the Assembly. Six were Annual Reports and one was a Statement of Operations.

The Judiciary’s Reply to the Report of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into the Lands and Titles Court was also presented on that day.

The Supplementary Appropriation Bill (No.1) 2016/2017 was considered in detail and was passed by the Legislative Assembly.

On the second day of parliamentary sitting, Parliament started off with the presentation of two Bills read for the second time. 

The first one was the Constitution Amendment Bill (No.1) 2016 and the second one was the Constitution Amendment Bill (No.2) 2016 both read for the second time.

One Bill was considered in detail and that was the Police Service Amendment Bill 2016. 

Three other Bills were read for the third time and was passed by the Assembly. 

Those included the Coroners Bill 2016 presented by the Minister of Justice, Fa’aolesa Katopau Ainu’u.

The Village Fono Amendment Bill 2016 which was presented by the Minister of Women, Culture and Social Development, Faimalotoa Kika Stowers. 

The last one was the Police Service Amendment Bill 2016. A motion was moved by the Prime Minister to suspend Standing Order 108 (4), to permit the bill to be third read; the motion was carried and the bill passed the Assembly. 

Prime Minister moved a motion to adjourn parliamentary proceedings until Tuesday, 7 March 2017.

However, Ali’imalemanu Alofa Tu’u’au, Member of Alataua West reminded the govt. of its outstanding responses to referred Committee reports. 

The Prime Minister Responded that a meeting will be held to discuss this issue, with relevant Members and the Clark of the House.