Glossary

Glossary of parliamentary terms:

This page defines some common parliamentary terms used in parliament.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Act

A bill which has been given first, second and third reading by the Legislature. It becomes law after His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV has given has Royal Assent.

Adjournment

The period between the termination of a meeting of the House and the start of the next meeting.

Amendment

A change, adjustment or alteration of a word, sentence or clause in a particular Bill.

Ballot

A paper for voting in an election which has the names of the People's candidates running.

Bill

A proposed law. This proposed law must go through three readings before being passed by the Legislative Assembly to become law.

Budget

The government's estimates for all Ministries in government which must go before the House for approval.

By-election

Elections held between general elections to replace members who have died or have resigned from the Legislative Assembly.

This governing body made up of the Ministers of government departments and the Prime Minister who are duly appointed by His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV for a length of period he so determines. The cabinet formulates government policies and is responsible for the administration of all the ministries of government.

Cabinet Minister

All Ministers appointed by His Majesty are Cabinet Ministers. This differs from many overseas countries who have Ministers who are not in the Cabinet.

Candidate

A person who chooses to become a candidate in an election either as (1) a Noble's Representative or (2) People's Representative. Only those who have a Noble title can run as a Noble's Representative.

Chamber

The House in the members of the Legislative Assembly (Ministers, Nobles and People's Representatives) sit as one, and debate laws or other issues.

Clerk of the House

Assists the Speaker and is the principal officer of the House. The Clerk is also the administrative director of the Office of the Legislative Assembly.

Committee of the Whole House

A committee consisting of all members of the house which meets in the Chamber. The Speaker vacates the chair and the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole takes over as chair of the committee.

Constitution

The founding document of Modern Tonga enacted by His Majesty King George I and sets out the basic principles of government, laws of a nation, state or social group. These principles and laws determine the powers and duties of a government and guarantee certain rights to the people under it.

Constitutional Monarchy

The system of government in which the supreme law is the nation's constitution but the head of state is the monarch. In Tonga, the head of state is the King but maybe referred to the Prince Regent in instances when His Majesty is away.

Democracy

This literally means government by the people and the rule of the majority. It is a system of government where the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised indirectly through their elected representatives.

Dissolution

Means by which the parliament comes to an end. His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV dissolves the legislature on the Premier's request.

Division

The taking of recorded votes in the house or one of its committees. In the house, members rise as their names are called, and they vote for or against a motion. This vote is recorded in the Minutes of the House.

Election

This is the process where the people and Noble's choose a person to act as their representative. Note however, that they have different election processes.

Electoral District

A geographical area that a member represents. In Tonga, there are 5 electoral districts, Tongatapu, Vava'u, Ha'apai, 'Eua and the 2 Niuas.

Estimates

The proposed expenditures for each government department, agency, board and commission.

Executive Government

The Ministers appointed by His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV make up the government. It refers to the government body of a province, state or county, which makes and administers laws.

Government Bill

A bill which is introduced into the House by the executive government usually by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

Governors

This refers to His Majesty's representatives in Vava'u and Ha'apai. They also sit in the Legislative Assembly by virtue of the Constitution as part of government. They are also members of the Privy Council.

Hansard

The record of daily proceedings of the house and its committees.

House

The Legislative Assembly of Tonga, consisting of 34 members, including the Speaker, who does not vote but has a casting vote when votes are equal.

House of Representatives

Another term for the Legislative Assembly of Tonga.

Ideology

This is a set of political and economic principals and beliefs about society.

Independent Member

All members of the Legislative Assembly are independent members as of yet, no party has ever been voted into parliament and all members the run for elections are independents. However, most of the People's Representatives are members of the Democratic Movement Committee but this is not a political party per se.

Impeachment

The process whereby a Minister is put on trial before the House due to an accusation of wrongdoing or incompetence. The Chief Justice presides over the trial and the members sit as jury. A guilty verdict could mean an expulsion from the House.

Judiciary

The branch of government which upholds the laws. The judiciary is composed of the courts, the judges and chief justices and protects the right of citizens from both the government and fellow citizens.

Legislation

A law is an act of parliament, or a law made by parliament. This is a bill which has passed all three readings in the house and has received the His Majesty's Royal Assent.

Legislative Assembly

The governing body which debates and makes laws. It is sometimes referred to as the legislature, or the house.

Legislature

Same meaning as the Legislative assembly or the House of Representatives.

Mace

The ceremonial staff used in parliament which symbolizes the authority of the Speaker to oversee the legislature. Tonga's mace was donated by the New Zealand government.

Majority Government

When the total number of government seats in the house exceeds the total number of opposition seats.

Ministers

Those people that are appointed by His Majesty to represent the executive arm of government and sit jointly with him in Privy Council.

Minority Government

When the total number of opposition seats in the house exceeds the total number of government seats.

Motion

A proposal made by a member, in order to elicit a decision from the house. The house will express its decision by either agreeing, disagreeing or amending a motion.

Nobles Representatives

Those Nobles elected by the 33 Nobles in Tonga to represent them in parliament.

Order-in-Council (or also known as Ordinance)

An Decree made by the Privy Council which has the effect of becoming law when the Legislative Assembly is not in session. However, such a decree must be referred to parliament when it re-opens to confirm it's passing. If the House does not pass the decree, than it is deemed to be repealed on that day.

Parliament

Same meaning as The legislature, or legislative assembly or House.

Parliamentary Privilege

Rights and immunities which belong to the assembly, the members and others essential to the operation of the assembly, allowing those involved in the parliamentary process to fulfill their duties without obstruction or fear or prosecution. Under the Constitution members cannot be sued or prosecuted for what they say during legislative proceedings.

Petition

A document that requests that the government or legislature take some action or change its position on some question of public policy.

Political Party

Group of individual united by common political and economic beliefs about society which interacts with communities, interest groups and individuals. The only existing Political Party in Tonga is the People's Democratic Party spearheaded by Prof. Futa Helu and Clive Edwards (the former Minister of Police). As of yet, they do not have a seat in the House.

Politics

From the Greek word 'politikos' meaning the art or science of government; concerned with winning and holding control over a government.

Precedent

A past ruling or practice that sets an example for similar action in the future; convention established by long practice.

Premier

Same meaning as Prime Minister.

People's Representatives

The 9 people's Represented elected into the House by the people of Tonga.

Prime Minister

The leader of the executive government appointed by His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV to become Prime Minister.

Private Member's Bill

A bill introduced into the House by either (1) a Noble's Representative or (2) People's Representative.

Question Time

The period during a parliamentary day that members are permitted to question Ministers about the business of their respective Ministries. .

Readings

The stages through which a bill passes; that is: first reading, second reading and third reading. A bill is introduced during first reading and debated during the second and third readings.

Royal Assent

Where His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV gives his approval by signing the bill.

Rules of Proceedings

The internal rules the govern the business of the House.

Select Committee

Select committees are set up specifically to study certain bills or issues and according to the Standing Orders, consists of not more than 12 members and not less than 4 elected by the Speaker to make a report or recommendation on a certain matter. After its final report, the committee is dissolved.

Sergeant at Arms

Custodian of the mace which symbolizes the authority of the Speaker in the house. The Sergeant at Arms is also responsible for the furniture, fittings and security in the house and in the Legislative Building and grounds.

Session

A series of meetings in the legislature making up a parliament. Sessions may be divided into spring and fall periods called sittings.

Speaker

The member who is elected by His Majesty from the Noble's Representative to preside over all meetings of the house in a fair and impartial manner. The Speaker upholds all the rules of procedure and ensures that the business of the house is carried out in an orderly manner.

Standing Committee

A committee which exists for the duration of a parliamentary session. This committee examines and reports on the general conduct of activities by government departments and agencies and reports on matters referred to it by the house, including proposed legislation.

Standing Orders

The rules that govern the entitlements and gratuities of members in the House.

Warrants

When issued, it requires the attendance of witnesses or documents before legislative committees. Warrants are also issued to call elections.

Writs of Election

Document which sets an election process ordered by the Prime Minister.

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Act