AGP Executive Report
Last update: 6 hours agoCabinet reshuffle: Tonga’s PM Lord Fakafanua says a Cabinet reshuffle is likely by end of the week after two senior ministers were unseated by court rulings for electoral bribery and election-expense breaches, with due process underway including advice to King Tupou VI. By-elections: Tonga’s Electoral Commission confirms parliamentary by-elections for Tongatapu 2 and Niua 17, with writs expected by King Tupou VI by week’s end and polling set for 8 October; nominations run 2–3 September. Fuel crisis support: Government emergency measures include a one-off $100 top-up for senior citizens via the NRBF, added to July and paid alongside August entitlements. Media and governance: The PMO rejects allegations from 88.1FM and The Tonga Chronicle, saying matters are under regulatory and legal review and raising concern about unauthorised use of King Tupou VI’s name in political statements. Parliament project finds: Lapita pottery fragments were reportedly discovered during construction of Tonga’s new Parliament complex at Matatoa, linking the build to the Kingdom’s early settlement history. Regional connectivity: Australia says all Pacific Islands Forum members are now connected by undersea cables, with Tonga flagged for second international cable work to improve reliability. US visa bond: The US makes permanent a visa bond scheme for some Tongans and other Pacific travellers, requiring refundable guarantees up to US$20,000 for B-1/B-2 short stays. Pacific security diplomacy: Australia backs Pacific-led security talks as PIF foreign ministers meet in Fiji, with Solomon Islands pushing a region-wide security arrangement.
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