Tonga govt denies Public Services International claims

Transcript

The Tonga government says claims by Public Services International it is threatening and repressing public servants are completely unfounded.

The PSI wrote to the Minister for Justice, Clive Edwards, saying it supports the Tonga Public Services Association in its fight for a cost of living adjustment, and admonishes the government for threatening workers.

It also calls on the government to withdraw its threats to shut the PSA down and sue its general secretary for defamation.

But Mr Edwards says the PSI has its facts wrong, and is being misguided by the PSA.

CLIVE EDWARDS: I've replied to them and told them to consider their facts before they write and threaten me or the government of Tonga, because their accusations or allegations that they are making are totally without any foundation, any factual foundation, and I am surprised that an international organisation can make such an accusation without first checking the facts.

MARY BAINES: Now the PSA is claiming the government wants to shut it down. Is this correct? Is there any basis for this?

CE: That's nonsense that we're attempting to shut them down. For about two years there has been a running correspondence and communication with PSA and the Registrar of Incorporated Societies for them to file the list of memberships and the audited accounts of the society. And none, from 2005 to this date, they haven't filed a single document with the Registrar's Office. We cannot get any response from them other than a mocking letter from them to the effect that if the government pays them they might consider filing these documents. In other words, they are mocking the law and the requirements of this country and as a consequence notice was served before this strike, well before. They have not complied and I think there is some proposed action but it is not a matter of great hurry, because we want them to comply.

MB: So it's got nothing to do with the strike or the ongoing discussions about cost of living adjustments?

CE: Nothing at all, nothing, nothing to do with it. That's been going on for a while.

MB: The PSA has also said the government plans on sueing it for defamation, is this correct?

CE: No, no. Government is not sueing. I have issued proceedings against the PSA and its secretary for blatant publications around this country about "The Minister of Justice Clive Edwards illegally and unlawfully advising that money be given to the payment of the Tongasat money to the princess." They've defamed me, and I've issued an action. They haven't filed any defence to it. But this goes on, when this organisation are making false accusations against me and other members of the government. What can we do? These ongoing accusations by Mele, it's all for political purposes because she is opposing me in the electorate, the Tongatapu 3 electorate. And she is running as a member for parliament, and she is attacking and make false accusations about me threatening civil servants. False.