Speaker of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands
Speaker of National Parliament of Solomon Islands | |
---|---|
Incumbent Right Honourable | |
Appointer | National Parliament |
Term length | 4 years |
The Speaker of the National Parliament is the
The Speaker is elected to the post by Members of Parliament every four years, as mandated by Order 5 of the Standing Orders of the National Parliament. The latter Order stipulates that "Every citizen of Solomon Islands over the age of twenty-one and who is otherwise qualified for election as a Member shall be eligible for election as Speaker". Thus the Speaker is not necessarily chosen from among sitting MPs, unlike the procedure governing the election of the Speaker in the United Kingdom.
The speaker's role, as per section 65 of the Constitution, is to "preside at any sitting of Parliament".[1] The speaker is expected to "ensure that Members conduct themselves in accordance to the Standing Orders of National Parliament".[2]
Presidents of the Legislative Council of the Solomon Islands
The President of the Legislative Council of the Solomon Islands (1960–1970) was the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific.[6][7]
Chairmen of the Governing Council
Name | Took office | Left office | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Tom Russell | 1970 | August 1971 | Also acting High Commissioner[8] |
Silas Sitai | August 1971 | October 1972 | Died in office[8][9] |
Sir Michael Gass | October 1972 | 1973 | Also High Commissioner[9] |
Donald Luddington | October 1973 | September 1974 | Also High Commissioner |
Frederick Osifelo | September 1974 | October 1974 | [10][11] |
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
Name | Took office | Left office | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Sir Frederick Osifelo | October 1974 | 1978 | [12][10] |
Speakers of the National Parliament
The following MPs have served as Speaker since the First Parliament in 1978.[13]
Name | Took office | Left office | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Lloyd Maepeza Gina | August 1978 | 1988 | [13] |
Waita Ben Tabusasi | 14 March 1989 | 10 July 1993 | [14][13] |
Paul Tovua | 1994 | 2001 | [13] |
Sir Peter Kenilorea | 2001 | September 2010 | [13] |
Allan Kemakeza | 8 September 2010 | 17 December 2014 | |
Ajilon Nasiu
|
17 December 2014 | 15 May 2019 | |
Patteson Oti | 15 May 2019 | Incumbent | [15] |
Deputy Speaker
The Constitution also provides for a deputy speaker. Per article 64, the Deputy Speaker is elected by Parliament from among its members, whereas the speaker may be elected from outside Parliament. A deputy speaker who becomes speaker must vacate their seat in parliament. The leader of a political party in Parliament may not serve as deputy speaker.
The deputy speaker carries out the functions of the speaker if the latter is unable to do so. However, per article 71 of the Constitution, while the speaker has "neither an original nor a casting vote", the deputy speaker, when presiding Parliament, may not cast an original vote but "shall exercise a casting vote if on any question the votes are equally divided".[1]
References
- ^ a b c Constitution of Solomon Islands (1978)
- ^ a b "The Speaker", National Parliament of Solomon Islands
- ^ "Members of the Seventh Parliament", National Parliament of Solomon Islands
- ^ "Sir Allan is new Speaker", Solomon Star, 9 September 2010
- ^ "Members of the Fourth Parliament", National Parliament of Solomon Islands
- ^ Journal of the Parliaments of the Commonwealth
- ^ "Legislative Council - Corporate entry - Solomon Islands Encyclopaedia, 1893-1978".
- ^ a b "Governing Council - Corporate entry - Solomon Islands Encyclopaedia, 1893-1978".
- ^ a b "Sitai, Silas - Biographical entry - Solomon Islands Encyclopaedia, 1893-1978".
- ^ a b "Osifelo, Frederick Aubarua - Biographical entry - Solomon Islands Encyclopaedia, 1893-1978".
- ^ Osifelo, Sir Frederick (1985). "Kanaka Boy".
- ISBN 9780115801822.
- ^ a b c d e Website of the National Parliament
- ^ "Tabusasi, Waeta Ben - Biographical entry - Solomon Islands Encyclopaedia, 1893-1978".
- ^ "John Patteson Oti elected Speaker of Solomons parliament", Radio New Zealand, 15 May 2019
- ^ "Tausinga Elected Deputy Speaker", Solomon Times, 6 December 2011
- ^ "AJILON JASPER NASIU ELECTED AS 6TH SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT", National Parliament, 18 December 2014