Shouting in Tonga's parliament

On Monday 15 August 2011 Tongan member of parliament 'Akilisi Pohiva told the legislature that the people no longer trust the House; least of all the speaker. According to a letter in the Taimi 'o Tonga newspaper parliamentary speaker Lord Lasike has a mistress. Yesterday's proceedings rapidly degenerated into a shouting match and then a screaming one between 'Akilisi and Revenue Minister Clive Edwards over the satellite company Tongasat. 'Akilisi and colleagues are resurrecting a dispute that was settled long ago between the Tongan government and Tongasat, a company in which Princess Salote Pilolevu is a significant partner. But why raise it now? Well there is a by-election next month and trumpetting alleged injustices and royal family bashing is always a vote winner. The anti-Chinese rhetoric is likely to intensify as the campaign picks up pace. It is also likely that Radio Australia's Bruce Hill will turn up soon and sniff around and probably report back on how a favourite politician has been wronged. A few weeks ago Bruce interviewed a Niuean community leader on the prospect of a race riot on their island if Chinese families settle there. Dear Bruce the ingredients for a race riot is rather simple: xenophobic politicians and stupid journalists.