THE Legislative Assembly of Tonga hosted the second Pacific Women’s Parliamentary Partnerships Forum (PWPPF) in Nuku’alofa last week from July 18 until July 21st at Scenic Hotel and Fa‘onelua Convention Centre.

Her Royal Highness, Princess Mele Si’ulikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili, Hon. Samiu Vaipulu the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Sunia Fili, Chair of the Whole House Committee, Hon. Fiame Naomi Mataafa the Minister of Justice (Samoa), Rev. Toe’umu Fineanganofo, Her Excellency, Ms. Natasha Stott Despoja AM, Australia’s Global Ambassador for Women and Girls.

Hon. Teima Onorio, Vice President of Kiribati

Hon. Nikki Rattle, Speaker of the House, Cook Islands

Hon. Julie Soso Akeke, Governor of the Eastern Province of Papua New Guinea

(1) In 2013, with the support of the Parliament of Australia, and under the auspices of the Pacific Women’s Parliamentary Project (PWPP), the parliaments of the Pacific Island nations made the unheralded but milestone renewed commitment, to rectify the age old numerical predominance of males in our parliaments, and to consequently reduce the age old shortcomings of this gender imbalance upon our Pacific legislatures and nations.

(2) Today Tonga is honoured to host our second PWPP conference, which is on the important theme of “The Pacific Women’s Parliamentary Partnerships.” Accordingly, on behalf of the Speaker of the Parliament of Tonga, Lord Fakafanua, it is indeed my very great pleasure to welcome you all to our Friendly Island shores, and to our shared deliberations, upon a subject so vital to the welfare of our nations.

THE Legislative Assembly last night passed a Bill for an Act to Appropriate Moneys to the Service of Government 2014/2015.