PM leaks confidential Cabinet document to the press

Nuku’alofa: Tonga’s Prime Minister surprised a local press conference last week by leaking a document that he said was a “confidential” Cabinet decision relating to funds allocated for the opening celebration of the new St George Government Building on September 1.

After calling the press conference at the Fa’onelua Centre on 19 September, the PM produced a document and made it clear that what he was about to reveal was confidential government business.

“A Cabinet Decision is confidential, and is not allowed to be distributed to the public,” he said, before adding “but if you want to have a look at it, it is here. If you really want to take it, it is your choice.”

Then he read out the document himself, which he said was submitted to Cabinet on 30 August. It related to funding allocations for a cultural presentation during the opening celebration of St George Government Building, in the Nuku’alofa CBD.