| Lisiate ʻAkolo | |
| Office2: | Minister for Finance and National Planning |
| Term Start2: | 1 May 2012 |
| Term End2: | 9 January 2014 |
| Primeminister2: | Lord Tuʻivakano |
| Predecessor2: | Sunia Fili |
| Successor2: | ʻAisake Eke |
| Constituency Mp5: | Vavaʻu 14 |
| Term Start5: | 26 November 2010 |
| Term End5: | 27 November 2014 |
| Predecessor5: | none (constituency established) |
| Successor5: | Saia Piukala |
Lisiate ʻAloveita ʻAkolo is a Tongan politician, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga and former Minister of Finance in the Tongan Cabinet.
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. He was replaced by ʻAisake Eke.[10]