Lisiate ʻAloveita ʻAkolo is a Tongan politician, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga and former Minister of Finance in the Tongan Cabinet.

Lisiate ʻAkolo
Minister for Finance and National Planning
In office
1 May 2012 – 9 January 2014
Prime MinisterLord Tuʻivakano
Preceded bySunia Fili
Succeeded byʻAisake Eke
Member of Parliament
for Vavaʻu 14
In office
26 November 2010 – 27 November 2014
Preceded bynone (constituency established)
Succeeded bySaia Piukala

Lisiate is a graduate of Victoria University of Wellington and American University.[1] He worked for the Tonga Commodities Board and Tongan Development Bank, before becoming CEO of the South Pacific Tourism Organization in 2000.[1]

In October 2006 he was appointed to the Cabinet as Minister for Labour, Commerce and Industries, under Prime Minister Feleti Sevele.[1]

He stood in the 2010 election in the seat of Vavaʻu 14 and was successful. New Prime Minister Lord Tuʻivakanō retained him in Cabinet as Minister for Labour, Commerce and Industries.[2] On September 1, 2011, he was reshuffled to the Ministry for Police, Prisons and Fire Services.[3] On May 1, 2012, at his own request, he was reshuffled to the position of Minister of Finance.[4][5][6][7]

He developed a reputation as a financial conservative who didn't want to see Tonga overwhelmed by debt repayments.[8] He was also the lead Spokesperson for Pacific ACP States' negotiations with the European Union on a comprehensive Economic partnership agreement.[9]

On 9 January 2014, ʻAkolo was fired from his position as Minister for Finance after publicly criticizing aspects of the budget.[8] He was replaced by ʻAisake Eke.[10]

Honours

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National honours

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Lisiate 'Akolo the new Minister of Labour , Commerce and Industries". Radio/TV Tonga News. 2006-10-02. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2010-10-24.
  2. ^ "First meeting of Tonga's new Cabinet", Matangi Tonga, January 5, 2011
  3. ^ "Cabinet quietly reshuffles portfolios", Matangi Tonga, September 7, 2011
  4. ^ "Tonga talk of associate ministers goes against constitution", Radio New Zealand International, 16 May 2012
  5. ^ "Four Cabinet Ministers to be reshuffled on May 1", Matangi Tonga, 20 April 2012
  6. ^ "Tonga government names ministers", Radio New Zealand International, 15 April 2012
  7. ^ "Former Ministers | Ministry of Finance and National Planning". August 31, 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-08-31.
  8. ^ a b "Tonga's finance minister sacked after defying order to quit", Radio Australia, 9 January 2014
  9. ^ "EPA with EU: Push forward as one region, urge Leaders". Pacific islands Forum. 7 September 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  10. ^ "New Finance Minister in Tonga". RNZ. 14 January 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Royal orders presented at Palace". Matangi Tonga. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.