Cabinet of Samoa

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The Cabinet is the executive branch of the government of the Independent State of Samoa.

Contents

Per article 31(1) of the Constitution, executive power is vested in the Head of State. Per article 26(1), however, "the Head of State in the performance of his functions shall act on the advice of Cabinet, the Prime Minister or the appropriate Minister, as the case may be". Article 32(1) provides that the Cabinet "shall have the general direction and control of the executive government" of Samoa.

The Cabinet is composed, per article 32(2), of the Prime Minister and "not fewer than eight nor more than twelve other Members of Parliament", appointed by the Head of State on the advice of the Prime Minister. [1]

XVII Cabinet

This Cabinet was appointed by Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa during the 2021 Samoan constitutional crisis following the April 2021 Samoan general election. [2] The previous cabinet purported to continue in a caretaker role. [3] [4] On 23 July 2021 the Court of Appeal ruled that the swearing-in ceremony was constitutional and binding, and that FAST had been the government since 24 May. [5]

Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster resigned on 3 June 2021 after being arrested for drink-driving. [6] He returned to Cabinet on 20 October 2021, with the addition of the Tourism portfolio. [7]

A cabinet reshuffle in September 2023 moved Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo to the Women, Community and Social Development portfolio. She was replaced as Minister of Finance by Lautimuia Uelese Vaʻai. Leota Laki Lamositele became Minister of Commerce, Industry of Labour, with Leatinuu Wayne So'oialo retaining only the public enterprises portfolio. Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell entered Cabinet as Minister for Sports & Recreation. [8]

PortfolioMinisterConstituencyParty
  • Prime Minister
  • Prime Minister and Cabinet
  • Foreign Affairs and Trade
  • Tourism
  • Samoa Public Commission
 Fiamē Naomi Mata‘afa Lotofaga FAST
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • Customs and Revenue
 Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio Gagaemauga No. 1FAST
  • Agriculture and Fisheries
 La'auli Leuatea Polataivao Gagaifomauga No. 3FAST
  • Works, Transport and Infrastructure
 Olo Fiti Vaai Salega No. 2FAST
  • Public Enterprises
 Faumuina Asi Pauli Wayne Fong Faleata No. 2FAST
  • Women, Community and Social Development
 Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo Palauli No. 1FAST
  • Justice and Courts Administration
 Matamua Vasati Pulufana Faasaleleaga No. 1FAST
  • Police and Prisons
 Lefau Harry Schuster Vaimauga No. 4FAST
  • Natural Resources and Environment
 Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster Aana Alofi No. 4FAST
  • Health
 Valasi Toogamaga Tafito Vaisigano No. 2FAST
  • Education and Culture
 Seuula Ioane Alataua SisifoFAST
  • Communications and Information Technology
 Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo Falealili No. 1FAST
  • Commerce, Industry and Labour
 Leota Laki Lamositele Palauli No. 2FAST
  • Finance
 Lautimuia Uelese Vaʻai Vaimauga 3FAST
  • Sports & Recreation
 Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell Safata No. 2FAST

XVI Cabinet

This cabinet resulted from the March 2016 general election.

A cabinet reshuffle in April 2019 made the following ministerial changes: [9]

PortfolioMinisterConstituencyParty
  • Prime Minister
  • Prime Minister and Cabinet
  • Foreign Affairs and Trade
  • Police
 Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi Lepa HRPP
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • Natural Resources and Environment
 Fiamē Naomi Mata‘afa LotofagaHRPP
  • Commerce, Industry and Labour
  • Public Enterprises
 Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell SatupaiteaHRPP
  • Tourism
 Sala Fata Pinati Gagaemauga No.1HRPP
  • Women, Community and Social Development
 Tuitama Talalelei Tuitama Aana Alofi No.1 EastHRPP
  • Works, Transport and Infrastructure
Papaliitele Niko Lee Hang Urban EastHRPP
  • Agriculture and Fisheries
 Lopao'o Natanielu Mua Vaisigano No.1HRPP
  • Finance
 Sili Epa Tuioti Faasaleleaga No.1 EastHRPP
  • Health
 Faimalotoa Kika Stowers Gagaifomauga No.1HRPP
  • Revenue
 Tialavea Tionisio Hunt Vaa o FonotiHRPP
  • Communications and Information Technology
 Afamasaga Rico Tupai Aana Alofi No.3HRPP
  • Education, Sports and Culture
 Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio Sagaga le FalefaHRPP
  • Justice and Courts Administration
 Faaolesa Katopau Ainuu Vaimauga Sisifo No.2HRPP

[10] [11]

XV Cabinet

As of March 2011. This Cabinet results from the March 2011 general election, which saw the Human Rights Protection Party retain an absolute majority of seats in Parliament. Its term corresponds to that of the Fifteenth Parliament. [12] The minister's matai title precedes his or her name. [13]

In April 2014, Finance Minister Faumuina Tiatia Liuga resigned, after some twenty years in Cabinet, following "allegations of abuse in the performance of his ministerial duties". Prime Minister Malielegaoi took over the Finance portfolio himself. [14] [15]

PortfolioMinisterConstituencyParty
Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi Lepa HRPP
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • Industry and Labour
 Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo Anoama'a WestHRPP
  • Women
  • Community and Social Development
 Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiʻataua A'ana Alofi No. 2HRPP
  • Police and Prisons
 Sala Fata Pinati Gagaemauga No. 1HRPP
  • Public Works, Transport
    and Infrastructure
 Manu'alesagalala Enokati Posala SafataHRPP
  • Natural resources
    and Environment
 Faamoetauloa Ulaitino Faale Tumaalii Gagaemauga No. 3HRPP
  • Revenue
 Tuiloma Pule Lameko FalealiliHRPP
  • Health
 Tuitama Talalelei Tuitama A'ana Alofi No. 1HRPP
  • Communication, Information
    and Technology
 Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau Vaimauga EastHRPP
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Culture
 Magele Mauiliu Magele Fa'asalele'aga No. 1HRPP
  • Justice
  • Courts administration
 Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa LotofagaHRPP
  • Agriculture
  • Fisheries
 Le Mamea Ropati Lefaga & Falese'elaHRPP
  • Finance
 Faumuina Tiatia Liuga Palauli-Le-FalefaHRPP

XIV Cabinet

This Cabinet resulted from the 2006 Samoan general election. [16]

PortfolioMinisterConstituencyParty
Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi Lepa HRPP
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • Trade, Commerce, Industry and Labour
 Misa Telefoni Retzlaff Falelatai & SamatauHRPP
  • Finance
 Niko Lee Hang Individual VotersHRPP
  • Health
 Gatoloaifaana Amataga Alesana-Gidlow Fa'asaleleaga No. 1HRPP
  • Agriculture
 Taua Kitiona Seuala Aleipata-Itupa-I-lugaHRPP
  • Justice
 Unasa Mesi Galo Fa'asalele'aga No. 3HRPP
  • Police and Prisons
 Leaupepe Toleafoa Faafisi Aana Alofi No. 1 WestHRPP
  • Women and Youth Affairs
 Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa LotofagaHRPP
  • Communication, Information
    and Technology
 Mulitalo Siafausa Vui Fa'asaleleaga No. 4HRPP
  • Education
 Toomata Alapati Poese SalegaHRPP
  • Public Works
 Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau Vaimauga EastHRPP
  • Lands and Environment
 Faumuina Tiatia Liuga Palauli-Le-FalefaHRPP
  • Revenue
 Tuu'u Anasi'i Leota Si'umuHRPP

XIII Cabinet

This Cabinet resulted from the 2001 Samoan general election. [17] [18]

Tuu'u Anasi'i Leota was appointed Minister of Revenue and Ga'ina Tino was moved to Minister of Justice following the death of Seumanu Aita Ah Wa in January 2004. [19]

PortfolioMinisterConstituencyParty
Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi Lepa HRPP
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • Finance
 Misa Telefoni Retzlaff Falelatai & SamatauHRPP
  • Education
 Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa LotofagaHRPP
  • Tourism, Trade, Commerce, Industry and Labour
 Hans Joachim Keil III Individual VotersHRPP
  • Lands and Environment
 Tuala Tagaloa Sale Kerslake Anoamaa WestHRPP
  • Health
 Mulitalo Siafausa Vui Fa'asaleleaga No. 4HRPP
  • Transport
 Palusalue Faʻapo II SafataHRPP
  • Women
 Tuala Ainiu Iusitino Gaga'emauga No. 1HRPP
  • Public Works
 Faumuina Tiatia Liuga Palauli-Le-FalefaHRPP
  • Agriculture
 Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau Vaimauga EastHRPP
  • Sports, Youth and Culture
 Ulu Vaomalo Kini Faleata WestHRPP
  • Justice
 Seumanu Aita Ah Wa Fa'asalele'aga No. 1HRPP
  • Legislative Department & Audit (Revenue)
 Ga'ina Tino Gaga'ifomauga No. 1HRPP

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References

  1. ↑ Constitution of Samoa Archived 2007-07-08 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ↑ Marieta H Ilalio (25 May 2021). "Fiame Sworn in as Prime Minister under Marquees on Parliament Grounds". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  3. ↑ Sapeer Mayron (24 May 2021). "Samoa election turmoil: Samoa's caretaker PM Tuilaepa gives blistering speech as FAST Party's Fiame Naomi Mata'afa sworn in as new PM". Stuff. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  4. ↑ "Samoa incumbent leader rejects first female Prime Minister's swearing in as 'treason'". RNZ. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  5. ↑ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong (23 July 2021). "F.A.S.T. declared new Government as appeal upheld". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  6. ↑ Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (3 June 2021). "Cabinet Minister-elect Toesulusulu resigns". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  7. ↑ Talaia Mika (20 October 2021). "New Clerk of Parliament and Cabinet Minister sworn in". Talamua. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  8. ↑ "Samoa Prime Minister Announces Cabinet Reshuffle: New Finance Minister and Two Additional Ministers". Samoa Global News. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  9. ↑ "Cabinet Ministers Swap Portfolios in a Reshuffle Announced by the PM". Samoa Global News . 2019-04-25. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  10. ↑ "Members of the XVI Parliament". Parliament of Samoa . Archived from the original on 2019-08-18. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  11. ↑ "Cabinet Ministers". Parliament of Samoa . Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  12. ↑ "Samoa: Composition du gouvernement", French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  13. ↑ "MPS - 2011 to 2016" Archived March 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , Office Of The Electoral Commissioner
  14. ↑ "Samoa's PM new head of Finance Ministry", Radio New Zealand International, 26 April 2014
  15. ↑ "Samoa Finance Minister resignation expected to mend party rift", Radio New Zealand International, 22 April 2014
  16. ↑ "Five new faces in new Samoa cabinet". RNZ. 24 April 2006. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  17. ↑ "Misa becomes new Minister of Finance". Samoa Observer. 20 March 2001. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  18. ↑ "SAMOA'S TUILAEPA SAYS HE'S SAD TO SEE TUIATUA STEP DOWN". Pacific Islands Report. 26 March 2001. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  19. ↑ "Samoa cabinet swears in new minister". RNZ. 20 February 2004. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
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