TONGA

NEWSPAPER ACT 2003
No. 18 of 2003.

I assent,

TAUFA 'AHAU TUPOU IV,
18th November, 2003.

PART I - PRELIMINARY

1. Short Title
2. Interpretation

PART II - REGISTRAR OF NEWSPAPERS

3. Powers of Minister
4. Right to inspect register

PART III - NEWSPAPERS

Division 1 - Responsibility and Standards

5. Application
6. Printer, publisher and editor
7. Printer to keep copy and produce when requested
8. Newspaper content standard

Division 2 - Newspaper Licences

9. No newspaper to be published without licence
10. Licence for sale and distribution of foreign papers
11. Declared foreign newspapers
12. Censorship

Division 3 - Powers of authorised officers

13. Power to examine packages
14. Subscription of declared foreign newspapers
15. Power to seize and detain illegal newspapers
16. Penalty

PART IV - OFFENCES

17. Offences
18. Revocation due to conviction

PART V - MISCELLANEOUS

19. Transitional
20. Regulations

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AN ACT
TO MAKE PROVISION FOR THE REGULATING
OF NEWSPAPERS IN THE KINGDOM

[20th October, 2003.]

BE IT ENACTED by the King and the Legislative Assembly in the Legislature of the Kingdom as follows:

PART I
PRELIMINARY

Short title

1. This Act may be cited as the Newspaper Act 2003.

Interpretation

2. (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires -

"authorised officer" means any police officer, customs officer or any person authorised by the Registrar;

"chief editor" includes the executive editor, the managing editor and any other person who controls the policy of a newspaper;

"company" means a company incorporated or registered under the Companies Act 1995;

"custom officer" has the same meaning as in the Customs & Excise Act (Cap. 67);

"declared foreign newspaper" means any newspaper declared by the Minister under this Act;

"foreign newspaper" means a newspaper published outside the Kingdom and its contents and editorial policy are determined outside the Kingdom;

"journalist" includes an editor, a sub-editor, an editorial writer, a reporter and any other person whose business it is to edit or write for a newspaper;

"Minister" means the Minister responsible for Communications;

"newspaper" includes a publication issued periodically or at intervals whether regular or irregular containing news, intelligence, reports of occurrence or any remarks, observation or comments, in relation to such news, intelligence, reports of occurrence or to any other matter of public interest printed in any language and published for sale or free distribution;

"newspaper register" means the register required to be kept under this Act;

"proprietor" includes the chief executive officer of a newspaper;

"Registrar" means any Registrar, Deputy or Assistant Registrar of Newspapers appointed under this Act; and

"representative" for the purposes of this Act means a person who represents an alien under an agency agreement.

(2) For the purposes of this Act, expressions referring to printing shall be construed as including writing, lithography, photography and other modes of representing or reproducing words or objects in a visible form.

PART II
REGISTRAR OF NEWSPAPERS

Powers of Minister

3. (1) The Minister shall be charged with the general administration of this Act.

(2) The Minister may with the consent of Cabinet appoint a Registrar of Newspapers and such Deputy and Assistant Registrars as he thinks necessary for the proper administration of this Act.

(3) The Registrar shall be responsible for keeping a register consisting of copies of the application for licences and of the licences granted under this Act.

Right to inspect newspaper register

4. (1) Any person may search and inspect the newspaper register during normal working hours on payment of a prescribed fee.

(2) Any person may obtain a copy of any entry in the newspaper register certified by the Registrar on payment of a prescribed fee.

(3) Every such certified copy shall in all proceedings, whether civil or criminal, be accepted as sufficient evidence of all the matters and things thereby appearing, until the contrary is proved.

PART III NEWSPAPERS

Division 1 - Responsibility and Standards

Application

5. This Act shall apply to all newspapers.

Printer, publisher and editor

6. (1) Every newspaper published or distributed within the Kingdom shall have printed legibly in it the name of its printer, publisher and editor.

(2) Every newspaper shall have an editor who shall have overall responsibility for the content of the newspaper.

Printer to keep copy and produce when requested

7. Every person who prints any newspaper shall, during 6 months from the date of the printing thereof -

(a) keep one copy on which he shall write or print the name and place of residence of the person by whom he is employed to print it; and

(b) produce the copy to any person authorised by the Minister in that behalf.

Newspaper content standard

8. (1) The Minister may with the consent of Cabinet, determine standards for the newspapers.

(2) Newspaper standards may include but shall not be limited to -

(a) the restriction or prohibitions relating to the supply of unsuitable content or particular types of content;

(b) the methods of classifying content;

(c) the restrictions or prohibitions relating to advertising content; and

(d) the representation of Tongan culture and national identity.

Division 2 - Newspaper Licences

No newspaper to be published without licence

9. (1) No person shall print or publish or assist in the printing or publishing of any newspaper in the Kingdom unless a licence has been granted by the Minister authorising the publication thereof, which licence the Minister may in his discretion grant, refuse or revoke, or grant subject to conditions to be endorsed thereon.

(2) The Minister may before granting the licence require the applicant to provide to his satisfaction -

(i) evidence of competence and particulars of newsroom staff; and

(ii) evidence of commitment to honesty, fairness, independence and respect for the rights of others.

(3) Every such licence unless sooner revoked shall be from the 1st January to the 31st December of each year and may be renewed for further periods not exceeding 12 months in respect of each renewal.

(4) Notice of the grant, revocation or withdrawal of any licence under this Act shall be published in the Gazette.

(5) The form for the application for a licence shall be prescribed by the Minister.

(6) Any person who contravenes this section or fails to comply with any condition of a licence commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year or both.

Licence for sale and distribution of foreign newspaper

10. (1) No person shall sell or distribute, or import for or possess for sale or distribution any foreign newspaper in the Kingdom unless there is in force a licence granted by the Minister under this Act.

(2) The Minister may grant the licence subject to such conditions as he may impose or may refuse to grant or revoke the licence.

Provided that no licence shall be granted to any of the following persons -

(a) an alien or representative of any alien;

(b) any corporation incorporated under the laws of any foreign state;

(c) any corporation of which more than 20 percent of the shares is owned or voted by aliens or their representatives or by a foreign government or representative thereof or by any corporation incorporated under the laws of a foreign country; or

(d) any corporation directly or indirectly controlled by any other corporation of which more than 20 percent of the shares is owned or voted by aliens, their representatives, or by a foreign Government or representative thereof, or by any corporation incorporated under the laws of a foreign country.

(3) Without prejudice to subsection (2), the Minister may in imposing conditions under that subsection -

(a) specify the maximum number of copies for each issue of the newspaper which may be sold or distributed in the Kingdom; and

(b) require the proprietor of the newspaper to appoint a person within the Kingdom authorised to accept service of any notice or legal process on his behalf and on behalf of the publisher and to furnish the Registrar with the name and address of the person so appointed.

(4) Every such licence shall have effect only in respect of the proprietor to whom it was granted and shall unless sooner revoked ordinarily be from the 1st of January to the 31st December of each year, and may be renewed for further periods not exceeding 12 months in respect of each renewal.

(5) Notice of the grant or revocation of a licence to sell or distribute a foreign newspaper under this Act shall be published in the Gazette.

(6) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) or fails to comply with any of the conditions imposed under subsection (2), commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year or both.

(7) In any proceedings under this section, it shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved, that any person found in possession of more than 12 copies of the same issue of a foreign newspaper had possession of them for sale or distribution.

Declared foreign newspaper

11. (1) The Minister may, as he deems fit, by order published in the Gazette, declare any foreign newspaper to be a newspaper which interferes in domestic politics or does not comply with the commitment to honesty, fairness, independence and respect for the rights of others.

(2) No person shall, sell, distribute, import, reproduce, or possess for sale, distribution or reproduction any declared foreign newspaper.

(3) Any person who contravenes subsection (2) commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year or to both.

Censorship

12. (1) A licensee shall not supply any content in any newspaper which -

(a) is indecent or obscene;

(b) displays excessive violence;

(c) is blasphemous;

(d) is treasonous or seditious;

(e) invades the privacy of an individual without that individual's consent;

(f) is defamatory;

(g) is not honest, fair, independent and does not respect the rights of others; or

(h) contravenes the Laws of the Kingdom.

(2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both.

Division 3 - Powers of authorised officers

Power to examine packages

13. (1) Any authorised officer may detain, open and examine any package or article which he suspects to contain any declared foreign newspaper.

(2) The Registrar may destroy any declared foreign newspaper delivered to him under subsection (1) or may dispose of such newspaper in such manner as may be directed by the Minister.

Subscription of declared foreign newspapers

14. (1) No person shall subscribe to any declared foreign newspaper.

(2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year or both.

Power to seize and detain illegal newspapers

15. Any authorised officer may detain, open and examine any package or article which he suspects on reasonable grounds to contain any newspaper which is being or has been brought into the Kingdom for the purpose of publication, sale or distribution in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act or of any condition imposed in respect of any licence.

(2) Any authorised officer may seize and detain any newspaper found in the possession of any person which the authorised officer has reasonable cause to believe has been printed, published, sold or distributed or is intended to be printed, published, sold or distributed in contravention of the provisions of this Act or of any conditions imposed in respect of any licence.

(3) Any such newspaper which has been so printed, published, sold or distributed shall be forfeited, destroyed or disposed of by order of a court, whether or not any person has been convicted of any offence in respect thereof.

(4) Any police officer may, pursuant to a search warrant, enter and search any premises for any newspaper, the printing, publication, sale or distribution of which is unlawful under any of the provisions of the Act where any such newspaper is known or reason-ably suspected to be.

Penalty

16. Except as otherwise provided in this Act, any person who distributes or abets the sale, or fails to comply with any of the requirements of this Act commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year or both.

PART IV
OFFENCES

Offences

17. (1) Any person who wilfully publishes, sells, offers for sale or distributes or abets the sale, offer for sale or distribution of any newspaper the printing, reproduction, publication, sale or distribution of which is unlawful under any of the provisions of this Act commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year or both.

(2) Any person who, without lawful excuse, has in his possession, custody or control for the purpose of publication, sale or distribution of any newspaper the printing, publication, sale or distribution of which is unlawful under any of the provisions of this Act commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year or both.

(3) In a prosecution under this Act, the onus of proof shall lie with the person found in possession, custody or control of any such newspaper to prove that he had lawful possession, custody or control.

(4) Where any person is convicted of any offence under this section, any newspaper to which the proceedings relate shall be forfeited and shall be destroyed or otherwise disposed of as the court directs.

Revocation due to conviction

18. Where a licensee is convicted of an offence under this Act, the Minister may revoke his licence.

PART V
MISCELLANEOUS

Transitional

19. (1) Subject to the Media Operators Act 2003, every newspaper currently holding a valid licence under any law at the commencement of this Act, shall continue until the current licence expires and shall apply for a licence under this Act within 1 month of the date of expiration of that licence.

(2) A licence granted under this Act shall be in addition to any other licence required by law.

Regulations

20. The Minister may with the consent of Cabinet make Regulations generally for carrying into effect the provisions of this Act.

Passed by the Legislative Assembly this 20 day of October 2003.

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TONGA

LAO KE FAKAHOKO 'A HONO PULE'I 'O E NGAAHI NUSIPEPA
Fika 18 'o e 2003.

'Oku on loto ki ai,

TAUFA 'AHAU TUPOU IV,
18 'o Novema, 2003.

FAKAHOKOHOKO 'O E NGAAHI

KONGA 1 - TALATEU

KUPU
1. Hingoa nounou
2. 'Uhinga'i lea

KONGA II - FAILESISITA NUSIPEPA

3. Ngaahi mafai 'o e Minisita
4. Totonu ke vakai ki he tohi lesisita nusipepa

KONGA HI - NGAAHI NUSIPEPA

Vahe 1 - Fatongia mo e ngaahi tu'unga

5. Tohi kole
6. Taha paaki, taha pulusi mo e 'etita
7. Taha paaki ke ne tauhi ha tatau pea tuku atu 'o ka fiema'u
8. Tu'unga kakano 'o e nusipepa

Vahe 2 - Ngaahi laiseni nusipepa

9. 'Ikai pulusi ha nusipepa ta'e 'i ai ha laiseni
10. Laiseni 'oku fiema'u ki hono fakatatau mo tufaki 'i he Pule'anga 'o ha
nusipepa muli
11. Nusipepa muli kuo tu'utu'uni
12. Sivi

Vahe 3 - Mafai 'o e kau 'ofisa kuo fakamafai

13. Mafai ke sivi 'a e ngaahi kofukofu
14. Totongi fakaaa'u ki ha ngaahi nusipepa kuo tu'utu'uni
15. Mafai ke puke mo tauhi 'a e ngaahi nusipepa ta'efakalao
16. Tautea

KONGA IV - NGAAHI HIA

17. Ngaahi hia
18. Fakafoki 'o e laiseni koe'uhi ko e halaia

KONGA V - NGAAHI ME'A MAKEHE

19. Fakataimi
20. Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni

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KO E LAO
KE FAKAHOKO 'A HONO PULE'I 'O E NGAAHI NUSIPEPA

[20 'o 'Okatopa, 2003.]

'OKU TU'UTU'UNI 'e he Tu'i mo e Fale Alea 'o Tonga 'i he Fakataha Alea 'a e Pule'anga 'o pehe:

Hingoa nounou

1. (1) 'E ui 'a e Lao ni ko e Lao ki he Ngaahi Nusipepa 2003.

'Uhinga'i lea

2. (1) 'I he Lao ni, tukukehe ka 'i ai ha 'uhinga kehe;

"'ofisa kuo fakamafai" 'oku 'uhinga ki ha 'ofisa polisi, 'ofisa tute pe ko ha taha kuo fakamafai'i 'e he fai lesisita;

"'letita pule" 'oku ki ai 'a e 'etita pule (executive), 'etita pule (managing) mo ha taha kehe 'oku ne pule'i 'a e founga ngaue ,a e nusipepa;

"kautaha" 'oku 'uhinga ki ha kautaha 'oku fakangaue'i pe lesisita 'i he Lao ki he Ngaahi Kautaha 1995;

"'ofisa tute" 'oku 'uhinga tatau mo e 'uhinga 'i he Lao ki he Tute mo e Tute 'Eikisia (Vahe 67);

"nusipepa muli" 'oku 'uhinga ki ha nusipepa 'oku pulusi 'i tu'a 'i he Pule'anga pea ko 'ene kakano mo e founga ngaue faka'etita 'oku fakapapau'i 'i tu'a 'i he Pule'anga;

"taha faiongoongo" 'oku kau ki ai ha 'etita, 'etita tokoni, taha tohi ongoongo, taha fakahoko ongoongo mo ha taha kehe ko 'ene ngaue ko e fokotu'utu'u mo tohi ki ha nusipepa;

"Minisita" 'oku 'uhinga ki he Minisita 'oku ne tokanga'i 'a e ngaahi Fetu 'utaki;

"nusipepa" 'oku 'uhinga ki ha me'a 'oku pulusi fakataimi pe 'i ha vaha'a taimi tatau ai pe 'oku fakataimi pan pe 'ikai 'oku 'i ai ha ongoongo, fakamatala, lipooti 'o ha me'a 'oku hoko pe ngaahi lea (remarks), vakai (observation) pe ngaahi lau (comments) 'o felave'i mo e ngaahi ongoongo, fakamatala, lipooti 'o e ngaahi me'a 'oku hoko pe ha me'a kehe 'oku mahu'inga ki he kakai 'oku paaki 'i ha fa'ahinga lea pea pulusi ke fakatau atu pe tufaki ta'e totongi;

"tohi lesisita nusipepa" 'oku 'uhinga ki he tohi lesisita 'oku fiema'u ke tauhi 'i he Lao ni;

"taha 'oku 'a'ana" 'oku kau ki ai 'a e 'ofisa pule lahi 'o ha nusipepa;

"Failesisita" 'oku 'uhinga ki he Failesisita, Tokoni (Deputy) pe Tokoni (Assistant) Failesisita nusipepa 'oku fokotu'u 'i he Lao ni; mo e

"fakafofonga" 'i hono ngaue'aki 'i he Lao ni 'oku 'uhinga ki ha taha 'oku ne fakafofonga'i ha taha muli 'i ha alea kautaha (agency agreement).

(2) 'I he ngaahi taumu'a 'o e Lao ni, ko e ngaahi faka'uhinga felave'i mo e paaki kuo pan ke pehe 'oku kau ki ai 'a e tohi, litokalafi, faita pea mo e ngaahi founga kehe hono fakafotunga pe fokotu'utu'u 'o e ngaahi lea pe fakatata 'i ha founga 'e fai ki ai ha vakai.

KONGA II
FAILESISITA NUSIPEPA

Ngaahi mafai 'o e Minisita

3. (1) Kuo pan ke tokanga'i 'e he Minisita 'a hono fakahoko fakalukufua 'o e Lao ni.

(2) 'E ngofua ki he Minisita 'i he loto ki ai 'a e Kapineti ke fokotu'u ha failesisita Nusipepa pea mo ha kau Tokoni (Deputy) pe Tokoni (Assistant) Failesisita 'oku ne pehe 'oku fe'unga ki hono fakahoko lelei 'o e Lao ni.

(3) Kuo pan ki he Failesisita ke ne tauhi ha tohi lesisita 'oku 'i ai ha ngaaahi tatau 'o e ngaahi tohi kole laiseni pea mo e ngaahi laiseni na'e tali 'i he Lao ni.

Totonu ke vakai ki he lesisita nusipepa

4. (1) 'E ngofua ki ha taha ke kumi mo vakai'i 'a e tohi lesisita nusipepa lolotonga 'a e ngaahi bona ngaue 'i ha totongi 'o ha totongi kuo vahe'i.

(2) 'E ngofua ki ha taha ke ne ma'u ha tatau 'o ha me'a kuo fakahu ki he tohi lesisita nusipepa pea kuo fakamo'oni'i 'e he Failesisita 'i ha totongi 'o ha totongi kuo vahe'i.

(3) Ko e tatau fakamo'oni'i pehe kotoa 'i he hopo kotoa, sivile pe hia, kuo pan 'e tali ko e fakamo'oni fe'unga 'o e ngaahi me'a kotoa mo e ngaahi me 'a 'oku ha ai, kae 'oua kuo fakamo 'oni 'i kehe.

KONGA III - NGAAIII NUSIPEPA

Vahe 1 - Fatongia mo e Ngaahi Tu'unga

Tohi kole

5. 'E ngaue'aki 'a e Lao ni ki he nusipepa kotoa.

Taha paaki, taha pulusi mo e 'etita

6. (1) Ko e nusipepa kotoa 'oku pulusi pe tufaki 'i he Pule'anga kuo pan ke paaki ke 'asi 'i ai 'a e hingoa 'o e taha paaki, taha pulusi mo e 'etita.

(2) Kuo pan ki he nusipepa kotoa ke 'i ai ha 'etita 'a is ko is to ne fatongia'aki 'a e kakano 'o e nusipepa.

Taha paaki ke ne tauhi he tatau pea tuku atu 'o ka fiema'u

7. Ko e taha kotoa 'oku ne paaki ha nusipepa kuo pan, 'i loto 'i he mahina 'e 6 mei he 'aho na'e paaki ai-

(a) ke ne tauhi 'a e tatau 'e taha 'a is kuo pan ke ne tohi pe paaki 'a e hingoa mo e feitu'u nofo'anga 'o e taha 'a is 'oku ne ngaue ki ai ke paaki ia; mo e

(b) tuku atu 'a e tatau ki ha taha 'oku fakamafai 'e he Minisita 'i he 'uhinga ko ia.

Tu'unga kakano 'o e nusipepa

8. (1) 'E ngofua ki he Minisita 'i he loto ki ai 'a e Kapineti ke tu'utu'uni ha ngaahi tu'unga ki he nusipepa.

(2) 'E ngofua ke kau ki he tu'unga nusipepa ka e 'ikai fakangatangata ki he:

(a) ngaahi fakangatangata mo e tapui felave'i mo e 'oatu 'o e kakano ta'e taau pe fa'ahinga nusipepa kakano pan;

(b) ngaahi founga hono fakakalasi 'o e kakano 'o e nusipepa;

(c) ngaahi fakangatangata mo e tapui 'oku felave'i mo e kakano tu'uaki; mo e

(d) fakatata 'o e anga fakatonga mo e anga fakafonua.

Vahe 2 - Ngaahi Laiseni Nusipepa

'Ikai pulusi he nusipepa ta'e 'i ai he laiseni

9. (1) Kuo pan 'e 'ikai 'i ai ha taha to ne paaki pe pulusi pe Tkoni ki hono paaki pe pulusi 'o ha nusipepa 'i he Pule'anga kae 'oua kuo foaki ha laiseni 'e he Minisita 'o fakamafai 'a e pulusi 'o ia, 'a is ko e laiseni 'e ngofua tokotaha ki he Minisita ke ne tali, ta'e tali pe fakafoki, pe tali mo e ngaahi tu'unga ke fakakakato ki ai.

(2) 'E ngofua ki he Minisita kimu'a pea tali 'a e laiseni ke fiema'u mei he taha tohi kole ke 'omai ki he'ene fiemalie ha:

(i) ngaahi fakamatala ki he kau ngaue ongoongo; mo e

(ii) fakamo 'oni 'o e fakahoko 'a e faitotonu, 'ikai fai hala, tau'ataina mo faka'apa'apa'i 'a e ngaahi totonu 'o e kakai kehe.

(3) Ko e laiseni pehe kotoa tukukehe 'o ka fakafoki kimu'a kuo pan ke kamata mei he 'aho 1 'o Sanuali ki he 'aho 31 'o Tisema 'o e ta'u kotoa pea 'e ngofua ke fakafo'ou ki ha vaha'a taimi kehe 'o 'ikai laka hake he mahina 'e 12 ki he fakafo'ou kotoa.

(4) Ko e tohi fanongonongo kotoa 'o e tali, fakafoki pe to 'o 'o ha laiseni 'i he Lao ni kuo pan ke pulusi 'i he Kasete.

(5) Ko e foomu tohi kole ki ha laiseni kuo pan ke tu'utu'uni 'e he Minisita.

(6) Ko ha taha 'oku ne maumau'i 'a e kupu ni pe 'ikai faitatau mo ha tu'unga 'o ha laiseni 'oku nefakahoko ha hia pea 'e ala tautea 'o ka halaia ki ha mo'ua pa'anga 'o 'ikai laka hake 'i he $10,000 pe ngaue popula 'i ha vaha'a taimi 'o 'ikai laka hake 'i he ta'u 'e 1 pe fakatou'osi.

Laiseni 'oku fiema'u ki hono fakatau mo tufaki 'i he Pule'anga 'o he nusipepa muli

10. (1) Kuo pau 'e 'ikai 'i ai ha taha to ne fakatau atu pe tufaki, pe hu mai ki he pe tauhi ke fakatau atu pe tufaki ha nusipepa muli 'i he Pule'anga tukukehe kapau 'oku lolotonga 'i ai ha laiseni kuo tali 'e he Minisita 'i he Lao ni.

(2) 'E ngofua ki he Minisita ke tali 'a e laiseni 'o fakatatau ki he ngaahi tu'unga 'e ngofua ke ne hilifaki pe 'ikai tali pe fakafoki ,a e laiseni.

Ka kuo pan 'e 'ikai ngofua ke foaki ha laiseni ki ha taha 'o e fa'ahinga ko 'eni-

(a) taha muli pe fakafofonga 'o ha taha muli;

(b) kautaha 'oku fokotu'u 'i he lao 'o ha Pule'anga muli;

(c) kautaha 'a is 'oku lahi hake 'i he peseti 'e 20 'o hono ngaahi 'inasi 'oku ma'u pe paloti 'e he kau muli pe honau ngaahi fakafofonga pe 'e ha Pule'anga muli pe fakafofonga 'o is pe 'e ha kautaha kuo fokotu'u 'i he ngaahi lao 'o ha Pule'anga muli;

(d) kautaha 'oku pule'i fakahangatonu pe ta'efakahangatonu 'e ha kautaha kehe 'a is 'okulahi hake 'i he peseti 'e 20 'o hono ngaahi 'inasi 'oku ma'u pe paloti 'e ha kau muli, honau ngaahi fakafofonga, pe 'e ha Pule'anga muli pe fakafofonga 'o ia,pe 'e ha kautaha kuo fokotu'u 'i he ngaahi lao 'o ha forma muli.

(3) 'E ngofua ki he Minisita, 'o 'ikai uesia 'a e 'uhinga 'i he kupu si'i (2), ke hilifaki ha ngaahi tu'unga 'i he kupu si'i ko ia:

(a) 'o fakaha 'a e fika lahi taha 'o e tatau 'o e nusipepa ki he paaki takitaha 'a is 'e ngofua ke fakatau atu pe tufaki 'i he Pule 'anga; pea

(b) fiema'u 'a e taha 'oku 'a'ana 'a e nusipepa ke fokotu'u ha taha 'i he Pule'anga 'oku fakamafai ke tali 'a e tufa 'o ha toki fanongonongo pe ngaue fakalao 'o fakafofonga'i ia pea fakafofonga'i mo e taha pulusi mo fakaha ki he Failesisita ,a e hingoa mo e tu'asila 'o e taha 'oku fokotu'u.

(4) Ko e laiseni pehe kotoa kuo pau ke ngaue'aki ki he taha 'oku 'a'ana 'a is na'e tali ki ai 'a e laiseni pea kuo pau tukukehe kapau kuo fakafoki kimu'a kuo pau ke kamata mei he 'aho 1 'o Sanuali ki he 'aho 31 'o Tisema 'o e ta'u kotoa pea 'e ngofua ke fakafo'ou ki ha vaha'a taimi kehe 'o 'ikai laka hake he mahina 'e 12 ki he fakafo'ou kotoa.

(5) Ko e tohi fanongonongo tali pe fakafoki 'o ha laiseni ke fakatau atu pe tufaki 'o ha nusipepa muli 'i he Lao ni kuo pau ke pulusi 'i he Kasete.

(6) Ko ha taha 'oku ne maumau'i 'a e kupu si'i (1) pe 'ikai faitatau ki he ngaahi tu'unga 'oku hilifaki 'i he kupu si'i (2) 'oku ne fakahoko 'a e hia pea 'e ala tautea is 'o ka halaia ki ha mo 'ua pa'anga 'o 'ikai laka hake 'i he $10,000 pe ngaue popula 'i ha vaha'a taimi 'o 'ikai laka hake 'i he ta'u 'e i pe fakatou'osi.

(7) 'I ha hopo 'i he kupu ni, kuo pau ke pehe, kae 'oua kuo fakamo'oni 'oku kehe ko e taha kotoa 'oku ma'u 'oku ne tauhi 'a e tatau 'o ha nusipepa muli 'o lahi hake 12 'i he paaki tatau, 'oku ne tauhi ke fakatau atu pe tufaki.

Nusipepa muli kuo tu'utu'uni

11. (1) 'E ngofua ki he Minisita, 'i he'ene pehe 'oku fe'unga, 'aki ha tu'utu'uni 'oku pulusi 'i he Kasete, ke tu'utu'uni ha nusipepa muli ko ha nusipepa 'oku ne fakafe'atungia'i 'a e politiki fakalotofonua pe 'ikai fakahoko faitotonu, 'ikai fai hala, tau'ataina pe faka'apa'apa'i 'a e totonu 'o e kakai kehe.

(2) Kuo pau 'e 'ikai 'i ai ha taha, to ne fakatau atu, tufaki, hu mai, hiki tatau, pe tauhi ke fakatau atu, tufaki, pe hiki tatau ha nusipepa muli kuo tu'utu'uni.

(3) Ko ha taha 'oku ne maumau'i 'a e kupu si'i (2) 'oku ne fakahoko 'a e hia pea 'e ala tautea is 'o ka halaia ki ha mo'ua pa'anga 'o 'ikai laka hake 'i he $10,000 pe ngauepopula 'i ha vaha'a taimi 'o 'ikai laka hake 'i he ta'u 'e 1 pe fakatou'osi.

Sivi

12. (1) Kuo pau ke 'ikai 'oatu 'e ha taha ma'u laiseni ha me'a 'i ha nusipepa 'a ia:

(a) 'oku kovi pe fakalielia;

(b) 'oku ha ai ha fakamalohi fakalilifu;

(c) lea 'oku kovi;

(d) 'oku talisone pe angatu'u;

(e) 'oku ne kaunoa 'i ha me'a fakafo'ituitui 'a ha taha ta'e loto ki ai 'a e tokotaha ko ia;

(f) 'oku lau'ikovi;

(g) 'oku 'ikai fakahoko faitotonu, 'ikai fai hala, tau'ataina pe 'ikai faka'apa'apa'i 'a e totonu 'o e kakai kehe; pe

(h) 'oku fepaki mo e ngaahi Lao 'o e Pule'anga.

(2) Ko ha taha 'oku ne maumau'i 'a e kupu si'i (1) 'oku ne fakahoko ha hia pea 'e ala tautea 'o ka halaia ki ha mo'ua pa'anga 'o 'ikai laka hake 'i he $10,000 pe ngaue popula ki ha vaha'a taimi 'o 'ikai laka hake 'i he ta'u 'e 1 pe fakatou'osi.

Vahe 3 - Mafai 'o e kau 'ofisa kuo fakamafai

Mafai ke sivi 'a e ngaahi kofukofu

13. (1) 'E ngofua ki he 'ofisa kuo fakamafai ke puke, fakaava mo sivi ha kofukofu pe me'a, 'a is 'oku ne mahalo'i 'oku 'i ai ha nusipepa muli kuo to 'utu 'uni.

(2) 'E ngofua ki he Failesisita ke faka'auha ha nusipepa muli kuo to 'utu 'uni 'oku 'ave ki ai 'i he kupu si 'i (1) pe tuku atu 'a e nusipepa ko is 'i ha founga 'e tu'utu'uni 'e he Minisita.

Totongi fakata'u ki ha nusipepa muli kuo tu'utu'uni

14. (1) Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ha taha 'e totongi fakatau ki ha nusipepa muli kuo to 'utu 'uni.

(2) Ko ha taha 'oku ne maumau'i 'a e kupu si'i (1) 'oku ne fakahoko ha hia pea 'e ala tautea pa'anga is 'o ka halaia ke mo'ua 'o 'ikai laka hake 'i he $1,000 pe ngaue popula 'i ha vaha'a taimi 'o 'ikai laka hake he mahina 'e 6 pe fakatou'osi.

Mafai ke puke mo tauhi 'a e ngaahi nusipepa ta'e fakalao

15. (1) 'E ngofua ki ha 'ofisa kuo fakamafai ke tauhi, fakaava mo sivi ha kofukofu pe me'a 'a is 'oku ne mahalo'i 'i he makatu'unga lelei 'oku 'i ai ha nusipepa 'a is 'oku lolotonga pe kuo 'omai ki he Pule'anga ni 'i he taumu'a ke pulusi, fakatau atu pe tufaki 'o maumau ai ha ngaahi kupu 'o e Lao ni pe ko ha to 'unga kuo hilifaki felave'i mo ha laiseni.

(2) 'E ngofua ki ha 'ofisa kuo fakamafai ke puke mo tauhi ha nusipepa 'oku ma'u 'oku tauhi 'e ha taha 'a is 'oku 'i ai 'a e 'uhinga lelei ke tui 'a e 'ofisa kuo fakamafai kuo paaki, pulusi, fakatau atu pe tufaki pe 'oku fakataumu'a ke paaki, pulusi, fakatau atu pe tufaki 'o maumau ai 'a e ngaahi kupu 'o e Lao ni pe ko ha tu'unga kuo hilifaki felave'i mo ha laiseni.

(3) Ko ha nusipepa pehe 'a is kuo paaki, pulusi, fakatau atu pe tufaki kuo pau ke fa'oa, faka'auha pe tuku atu 'i he fekau 'a e fakamaau'anga, pe 'oku halaia ha taha pe 'ikai ki ha hia felave'i mo ia.

(4) 'E ngofua ki ha 'ofisa polisi, fakatatau ki ha tohi kumi koloa, ke hu mo kumi ha feitu'u ki ha nusipepa 'a is 'oku ta'e fakalao 'a hono paaki, pulusi, fakatau atu pe tufaki 'i he ngaahi kupu 'o e Lao ni 'a is 'oku 'ilo'i pe mahalo'i 'oku 'i ai 'a e nusipepa ko ia.

Tautea

16. Tukukehe 'o ka faka'uhinga kehe 'i he Lao ni, ko ha taha 'oku ne tufaki pe tokoni ki hono fakatau atu, pe 'ikai faitatau mo ha ngaahi fiema'u 'o e Lao ni 'oku ne fakahoko ha hia pea 'e ala tautea 'o ka halaia ki ha mo'ua pa'anga 'o 'ikai laka hake he $10,000 pe ngaue popula 'o 'ikai laka hake he ta'u 'e 1 pe fakatou'osi.

KONGA IV
NGAAHI HIA

17. (1) Ko ha taha 'oku ne pulusi, fakatau atu, tu'uaki ke fakatau atu pe tufaki pe tokoni ki hono fakatau atu, tu'uaki ke fakatau atu pe tufaki 'i he 'ilo pau ha nusipepa 'oku ta'e fakalao 'a hono paaki, hiki tatau, pulusi, fakatau atu pe tufaki 'i he ngaahi kupu 'o e Lao ni, 'oku ne fakahoko ha hia pea 'e ala tautea 'o ka halaia ki ha mo'ua pa'anga 'o 'ikai laka hake he $10,000 pe ngaue popula 'i ha vaha'a taimi 'o 'ikai laka hake he ta'u 'e 1 pe fakatou'osi.

(2) Ko ha taha ta'e 'i ai ha 'uhinga fakalao, 'oku ne tauhi, 'i he'ene mafai pe pule'i 'i he taumu'a ke pulusi, fakatau atu pe tufaki ha nusipepa 'oku ta'e fakalao 'a hono paaki, pulusi, fakatau atu pe tufaki 'i he ngaahi kupu 'o e Lao ni 'oku ne fakahoko ha hia pea 'e ala tautea 'o ka halaia ki ha mo'ua pa'anga 'o 'ikai laka hake he $10,000 pe ngaue popula 'i ha vaha'a taimi 'o 'ikai laka hake he ta'u 'e 1 pe fakatou'osi.

(3) 'I ha faka'ilo 'i he Lao ni, ko e taha 'oku ne tauhi, 'i he'ene mafai pe pule'i 'o ha nusipepa 'e 'fate is 'a e fakamo'oni.

(4) 'I ha halaia ha taha ki ha hia 'i he kupu ni, ko ha nusipepa 'oku felave'i mo e hopo, kuo pau ke fa'oa pea kuo pau ke faka'auha pe tuku atu fakatatau ki he to 'utu 'uni 'a e fakamafu 'anga.

18. Ka halaia ha taha ma'u laiseni ki ha hia 'i he Lao ni, 'e ngofua ki he Minisita ke ne fakafoki 'a e laiseni ko is

KONGA V
NGAAHI ME'A KEHE

Fakataimi

19. (1) Fakatatau ki he Lao ki he Kau Fakahoko Ongoongo 2003, ko e nusipepa kotoa 'oku lolotonga ma'u laiseni fakalao 'i ha lao 'i he kamata ngaue'aki 'o e Lao ni, kuo pau ke hoko atu hono ngaue'aki kae'oua kuo ngata 'a e laiseni ko is pea kuo pau ke kole ki ha laiseni 'i he Lao ni 'i loto he mahina 'e 1 mei he ngata 'o e laiseni ko ia.

(2) Ko ha laiseni 'oku tali 'i he Lao ni kuo pau ke tanaki atu ki ha laiseni kehe 'oku fiema'u 'i ha lao.

Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni

20. 'E ngofua ki he Minisita 'i he loto ki ai 'a e Kapineti, ke fa'u ha Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni ke fakahoko lelei 'a e ngaahi kupu 'o e Lao ni.

Na'e tali 'e Fale Alea 'i he 'aho ni 20 'o 'Okatopa, 2003.

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