Tonga Govt correction to earlier release on Rugby Union Authority
Press Release
The Government of Tonga would like to offer an open apology to the Tongan public for an error made in a press release
issued from the Prime Minister’s Office, dated 23 February 2011.
The press release concerned a petition submitted to Cabinet, claiming dissatisfaction with the management of the Tonga
Rugby Union Authority (TRUA).
Thanks in part to recent coverage by the local media, the claims about TRUA salaries have been investigated, confirmed
and currently addressed by the new Government at the highest levels of authority.
For the record, the Government of Tonga finances Mr Bob Tuckey’s annual salary, which amounts to a total of AUD$150,000.
This arrangement was enacted by the previous administration, and the current Government is working to gather complete
and accurate information on the issue, which may have been lost during the political transition period.
In the meantime, top level personnel are working to rectify this situation. The people of Tonga can rest assured they
will be well-protected in the process and compensated for any losses already experienced.
“The new government will do its utmost to promote an honest, transparent, and solidly managed administration. We will
keep correcting misinformation, whatever the source,” states the Prime Minister of Tonga and Minister for Information
and Communications, Lord Tu’ivakano.
“We would like to ensure this sort of error does not happen again. We have learnt our lesson from this experience, and
we can use this knowledge to help to run the country more openly and efficiently.”
The Government of Tonga continues to encourage robust and consistent support for the national rugby team ‘Ikale Tahi, in
the lead up to the Rugby World Cup this September.
ENDS