A former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice in Tonga, Alisi Taumeopeau, says politicians in Tonga have been playing an unimpressive game with a new toy.
Ms Taumeopeau was referring to the opposition's vote of no confidence which was defeated earlier this month.
She told Pacific leaders, experts and academics attending a conference on democracy in the region that Tonga's politicians need to be more professional.
She says they need to listen more to the people who are growing tired of the many reforms over the past 30 years.
"So I'm watching this game as they play for the last 4 months in Tonga and thinking, you know, if these were my kids they would be getting a tanning in the bedroom now. The whole lot of them."
But Alisi Taumeopeau says the vote of no confidence has brought more unity among cabinet members and highlighted integrity and the rule of law.
She describes it as a wake-up call and part of a learning curve on good governance and accountability.
