After studying at the Honiara Technical Institute, he worked as Supervising Manager for Student Welfare Services at the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education.
He then began a career in national politics, when he stood successfully for Parliament in the 1 December 2004 by-election in the Ugi/Ulawa constituency.
He held the post until May 2009, when he was transferred to the position of Minister for Police, National Security, and Correctional Services.
[6] On 18 April, Philip removed him from Cabinet in a reshuffle to make way for five Opposition members who had just joined the government ranks.
[7] In early November, Tora, along with several other former ministers who had lost their positions in that reshuffle, switched over to the Opposition again, and this time succeeded in bringing down the Philip government.