Local authorities do not have revenue-raising powers, their salaries and expenses being paid by central government. National development plan The Ministry of Finance and Planning’s medium-term development plan, the Tonga Strategic Development Framework 2011–14, was launched in 2011, with the vision of ‘a just, equitable and progressive society in which the people of Tonga enjoy good health, peace, harmony and prosperity, in meeting their aspirations in life’. Policy The outcome objectives of the Strategic Development Framework are: • Strong inclusive communities • Dynamic public–private partnerships • Appropriate and well maintained infrastructure • High quality universal basic education • Appropriately skilled workforce • Improved health of the people • Environmental sustainability • Better governance • Safe, secure and stable society Governance The Strategic Development Framework underlined the importance of good governance; the constitutional and political reforms, the first stage of which was completed following the election of November 2010; and the strengthening of anti-corruption measures. Further information Commonwealth Secretariat: www.thecommonwealth.org Commonwealth Governance: www.commonwealthgovernance.org TONGA AUDIT OFFICE FACTS Capital: Nuku’alofa Form of Government: Constitutional Monarchy Area: 270 sq. miles Population: 101,000 (2008) Official language: Tongan, English Monetary Unit: Pa’anga or Tongan dollar (T$) Time: GMT plus 13 hours Location: South West of Pacific Ocean BACKGROUND The position of the Auditor General was created by the Constitution in 1875 establishing it as a member of the Privy Council and as a key actor in matters of financial policy. It was replaced by the Government Auditor in 1938, which was a Chief Internal Auditor for the government and not a servant of the Legislature. The post was recreated again in the Public Audit Act of 1984, and moved from the Executive to the Legislature in the Public Audit Act of 2007. All audit staff are employed by the Auditor General under the Public Audit (Amendment) Act of 2012 and are independent from the Executive Government. FUNCTION The Auditor General is the principal auditor of government, responsible for the performing of financial, compliance, and performance audit of public funds. This includes the audit and reporting of results to the Legislature through the Speaker on the financial conditions of ministries, departments, agencies, public enterprises and development projects; and the review and approval of audited accounts of public enterprises that are audited by private firms. We aim to provide objective reports, advice and assurance to the Legislature to ensure that government is reliable, accountable and transparent to the public. CONTACT Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, FCA (NZ) Auditor General Office of the Auditor General Maamaloa, Vaha’akolo Rd Tupou College Old Boys Building P.O. Box 50, Nuku’alofa, Tonga SOUTH PACIFIC Tel: + 676 2 1600 • Fax: +676 2 3749 Mobile: +676 77 57546 Email: ptuionetoa@audit.gov.to Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa KINGDOM OF TONGA
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