The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia Tonga and Vanuatu Report of the Australian Parliamentary Delegation 22 July to 1 August 2009 © Commonwealth of Australia 2009 ISBN 978-0-642-79239-6 For further information about the Australian Parliament contact: Parliamentary Relations Office Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Telephone: (02) 6277 4360 Fax: (02) 6277 2000 Email: [email protected] Printed by the Department of the House of Representatives Contents Membership of the Delegation ............................................................................................................. v Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................... vi 1 Delegation to Tonga and Vanuatu ....................................................................... 1 The delegation ........................................................................................................................... 1 Aims and objectives ................................................................................................................. 1 2 Tonga ...................................................................................................................... 3 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 4 Economic and Trade issues..................................................................................................... 4 Tourism ...................................................................................................................................... 8 Development Assistance ........................................................................................................ 10 Defence Cooperation .............................................................................................................. 11 Education and Training .......................................................................................................... 12 Energy ...................................................................................................................................... 13 Environmental issues ............................................................................................................. 13 Fisheries .................................................................................................................................. 14 Foreign Relations .................................................................................................................... 14 Health issues ........................................................................................................................... 15 Land issues ............................................................................................................................. 16 Constitutional and Electoral Reform ..................................................................................... 17 Parliamentary links ................................................................................................................. 20 Australia-Tonga relations ....................................................................................................... 22 iv 3 Vanuatu ................................................................................................................ 27 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 27 Economic and Trade issues ................................................................................................... 28 Tourism .................................................................................................................................... 30 Development assistance ........................................................................................................ 31 Defence Cooperation .............................................................................................................. 33 Education and Training .......................................................................................................... 34 Energy ...................................................................................................................................... 36 Environmental issues ............................................................................................................. 36 Fisheries .................................................................................................................................. 38 Foreign Relations .................................................................................................................... 38 Health ....................................................................................................................................... 39 Land issues ............................................................................................................................. 41 Law and order .......................................................................................................................... 42 Council of Chiefs ..................................................................................................................... 44 Parliamentary links ................................................................................................................. 45 Australian-Vanuatu relations ................................................................................................. 47 4 Media Coverage ................................................................................................... 49 Program ....................................................................................................................... 55 Tonga ....................................................................................................................................... 55 Vanuatu .................................................................................................................................... 56 Membership of the Delegation Leader Mr Kelvin Thomson MP Member for Wills (Victoria) Deputy Leader Senator the Hon Ian Macdonald Senator for Queensland Member Senator Claire Moore Senator for Queensland Official Ms Lynette Mollard Delegation Secretary Acknowledgments The Australian parliamentary delegation expresses its sincere appreciation to the Tongan and Vanuatu parliaments. In Tonga, particular thanks go to the Speaker of the House, the Honourable Lord Tu’ilakepa MP, and in Vanuatu, particular thanks go to the Speaker of the Parliament, the Honourable Maxime Carlot Korman MP. The King of Tonga, His Majesty King George Tupou V, was out of the country at the time of the delegation’s visit so a call on him was not possible. The delegation was grateful to the Prime Minister of Tonga, Dr the Hon Feleti (Fred) Sevele, for receiving them. In Vanuatu the delegation was received by the President of the Republic of Vanuatu, His Excellency Kalkot Matas Kelekele, and by the Prime Minister, the Honourable Edward Natapei MP. The delegation appreciated the generous amount of time they spent with them. The delegation is grateful for the warmth of the welcome, the comprehensive and informative program, and the generous hospitality that was provided throughout the visit to both countries. The opportunity to meet with a broad range of parliamentary, government, community and business representatives was appreciated greatly. The visit to an island away from the main island in both countries provided the delegation with some different perspectives and very useful insights. Special thanks are due to the Clerk of the Tongan Parliament, Dr Viliami Latu, the Deputy Clerk, Mr Sione Tekiteki, and their staff for all the work they did for the visit. The delegation were honoured to be invited by the President of the Republic of Vanuatu, His Excellency Kalkot Matas Kelekele, to join in Independence Day celebrations marking the 29th Anniversary of Vanuatu’s independence including the flag raising ceremony, reception at State House and the Independence Day Ball. vii The delegation is extremely grateful to the Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, His Excellency Mr Bruce Hunt, and to the Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu, His Excellency Mr Pablo Kang, as well as to the staff of both missions, particularly Ms Carole Gransbury, First Secretary (Administration) in Tonga and Ms Sue Langford, Deputy High Commissioner, and Ms Kendra Derousseau and Ms Freyer Beaumont both from AusAID in Vanuatu, for the tremendous support and assistance provided prior to and throughout the visit. Thanks are also due to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Parliamentary Library and the Parliamentary Relations Office for their valuable contributions in ensuring the success of the visit. 1 Delegation to Tonga and Vanuatu The delegation 1.1 From 22 July to 1 August 2009, an Australian parliamentary delegation visited Tonga and Vanuatu. The visit provided an opportunity for Australian parliamentarians to explore issues of common interest with their Tongan and Vanuatu counterparts, and find out about political, social and economic developments in Melanesia and Polynesia, as well as promoting opportunities to broaden and strengthen Australia’s relationship with both countries. 1.2 The delegation was led by Mr Kelvin Thomson MP and included two Queensland Senators: Senator the Hon Ian