9th Parliament of Solomon Islands
The 9th Parliament of Solomon Islands, determined by the 2010 general election, was the National Parliament of Solomon Islands from 2010 until 2014. It was preceded by the eighth and followed by the tenth.
The 9th Parliament consisted in 50 representatives, elected from 50 single-seat constituencies.[1]
Party standings
The various parties had the following number of seats.[2] The Speaker is chosen from outside Parliament.[3]
Party | Seats | Change since 8th Parliament | |
Democratic Party | 13 | +8 | |
OUR Party | 3 | +3 | |
Reformed Democratic Party | 3 | +3 | |
Independent Democratic Party | 2 | +2 | |
People's Alliance Party | 2 | -6 | |
Party for Rural Advancement | 2 | -3 | |
Liberal Party | 1 | -2 | |
National Party | 1 | -3 | |
People's Congress Party | 1 | +1 | |
People's Federation Party | 1 | +1 | |
Rural and Urban Political Party | 1 | +1 | |
Rural Development Party | 1 | +1 | |
Independents | 19 | +7 | |
Speaker | 1 | n/a |
Members
The following were the 50 members of the 9th Parliament.[4]
Of these, only seven had been in Parliament prior to 2006. Job Tausinga is Parliament's veteran, having been continuously elected since 1984. Danny Philip was first elected in 1984, but lost his seat in 2001, before regaining it in 2010. Walter Folotalu was first elected in 1994, lost his seat in 1997, and returned to Parliament in a by-election in 2008. Manasseh Sogavare and Snyder Rini have both continuously been elected since 1997. Gordon Darcy Lilo is serving his third consecutive term, having first been elected in 2001. And James Tora first entered Parliament in a by-election in 2004. Twenty other MPs (including the now deceased Toswel Kaua) are serving their second term, while the other twenty-three (including the now deceased Steve Laore, and disgraced Jimmy Lusibaea) are first time MPs.[5]
From among these MPs, Prime Minister Danny Philip appointed his Cabinet on 27 August,[6] while Opposition Leader Steve Abana appointed his Shadow Cabinet on 31 August. Additionally, Clay Forau was elected Leader of the Independent Members of Parliament.[7]
MP | Party | Constituency | In Parliament since... | Cabinet position? | |
Steve William Abana | Democratic | Fataleka | 2006 | no (Leader of the Opposition; Shadow Minister for Public Service, Aug. 2010- ) | |
Peter Shannel Agovaka | OUR Party | Central Guadalcanal | 2006 | Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Relations (Aug. 2010- ) | |
Lional Alex | Independent | South Vella La Vella | 2010 | Minister for Rural Development and Indigenous Affairs (Aug. 2010- ) | |
Heinz Horst Bodo Dettke | Independent | North West Guadalcanal | 2010 | Minister for Forestry (Aug.-Nov. 2010) Minister for Fisheries & Marine Resources (Dec. 2010- ) | |
Douglas Ete | Reformed Democratic | East Honiara | 2010 | Minister for Public Service (Aug.-Dec. 2010) Minister for Forestry (Dec. 2010-Jan. 2011) | |
Jackson Fiulaua | Independent | Central Kwara'ae | 2010 | Minister for Infrastructure and Development (Aug. 2010- ) | |
Walter Folotalu | Democratic | Lau/Mbaelelea | 2008 previously MP from 1994 to 1997 | no (Shadow Minister for Communication and Aviation; Shadow Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional services, Aug. 2010- ) | |
Clay Forau Soalaoi | People's Federation | Temotu Vatud | 2006 | no (Leader of the Independent Members, Aug. 2010- ) | |
John Moffat Fugui | Independent | Central Honiara | 2010 | Minister for the Environment and Conservation (Aug. 2010- ) | |
Moses Garu | Democratic | West Guadalcanal | 2010 | no (Shadow Minister for Rural Development and Indigenous Affairs, Aug. 2010- ) | |
Alfred Ghiro | Democratic | East Makira | 2010 | no (Shadow Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional strengthening, Aug. 2010- ) | |
Seth Gukuna | Independent | Rennell-Bellona | 2006 | no (Shadow Minister for Culture and Tourism, Aug. 2010- ) | |
Dick Ha'amori | Rural Development | West Makira | 2006 | Minister for Education and Human Resources (Aug. 2010- ) | |
Rick Houenipwela | Democratic | Small Malaita | 2010 | no (Shadow Minister for Finance and Treasury, Aug. 2010- ) | |
Shemuel Sam Iduri | Democratic | West Kwara'ae | 2006 | no (Shadow Minister for National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace, Aug. 2010- ) | |
Martin Kealoe | Democratic | Malaita Outer Islands | 2010 | no | |
Mark Roboliu Kemakeza | Independent | Ngella | 2006 | Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (Aug. 2010- ) | |
Andrew Hanaria Keniasina | People's Congress Party | East ꞌAreꞌare | 2010 | no (Shadow Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Aug. 2010- ) | |
Gordon Darcy Lilo | Independent | Gizo-Kolombangara | 2001 | Minister for Finance and Development Planning (Aug. 2010- ) | |
Varian Lonamei | Independent Democratic | Maringe-Kokota | 2006 | Minister for Aviation and Communication (Aug. 2010- ) | |
Manasseh Maelanga | Democratic | East Malaita | 2008 | Deputy Prime Minister; Minister for Home Affairs (Aug. 2010- ) | |
Martin Magga | People's Alliance | Temotu Pele | 2006 | no | |
John Maneniaru | Independent | West ꞌAreꞌare | 2010 | no (Shadow Minister for Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, Aug. 2010- ) | |
Samuel Manetoali | Rural and Urban | Gao-Bugotu | 2006 | Minister for Tourism and Culture (Aug. 2010- ) | |
Commins Aston Mewa | Independent | Temotu Nende | 2010 | Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs (Aug. 2010- ) | |
Elijah Doro Muala | National | South Choiseul | 2010 | Minister for Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (Aug. 2010- ) | |
Joseph Onika | Independent | North East Guadalcanal | 2010 | Minister for Women, Youth and Sports (Aug. 2010- ) | |
David Day Pacha | Democratic | South Guadalcanal | 2006 | no (Shadow Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Aug. 2010- ) | |
Dickson Mua Panakitasi | OUR Party | Savo-Russels | 2010 | no (Shadow Minister for Health and Medical Services, Aug. 2010- ) | |
Danny Philip | Reformed Democratic | South New Georgia | 2010 previously MP from 1984 to 2001 | Prime Minister (Aug. 2010- ) | |
Snyder Rini | Independent Democratic | Marovo | 1997 | Minister for Aid Coordination and Planning (Aug. 2010- ) | |
Selwyn Riumana | Independent | Hograno-Kia-Havulei | 2006 | Minister for Agriculture and Livestock (Aug. 2010- ) | |
Connelly Sandakabatu | Independent | North-West Choiseul | 2010 | no (Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Aug. 2010- ) | |
Charles Sigoto | Reformed Democratic | Ranonga-Simbo | 2010 | Minister for Health and Medical Services (Aug. 2010- ) | |
Derek Sikua | Liberal | East Central Guadalcanal | 2006 | no | |
Stanley Festus Sofu | Democratic | East Kwaio | 2006 | Minister for Public Service (Dec. 2010- ) | |
Manasseh Sogavare | OUR Party | East Choiseul | 1997 | no (Shadow Minister for Lands, Housing and Survey; Shadow Minister for National Planning and Aid Coordination, Aug. 2010- ) | |
Martin Sopage | Independent | North Guadalcanal | 2006 | Minister for Lands, Housing and Survey (Aug. 2010- ) | |
Hypolite Taremae | Independent | Central Makira | 2010 | Minister for Peace, Reconciliation and National Unity (Aug. 2010- ) | |
Job Dudley Tausinga | Rural Advancement | North New Georgia | 1984 | no (Shadow Minister for Forestry, Aug. 2010- ) | |
Silas Tausinga | Rural Advancement | West New Georgia | 2010 | no (Shadow Minister for Women, Youth and Children's Affairs, Aug. 2010- ) | |
Peter Tom | Democratic | West Kwaio | 2006 | no (Shadow Minister for Home Affairs, Aug. 2010- ) | |
James Tora | Democratic | Ulawa-Ugi | 2004 | Minister for Police and National Security (Aug. 2010- ) | |
Bradley Tovosia | Independent | East Guadalcanal | 2010 | Minister for Provincial Government (Aug. 2010- ) | |
Milna Tozaka | People's Alliance | North Vella Lavella | 2006 | no (Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade; Shadow Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs, Aug. 2010- ) | |
Namson Tran | Independent | West Honiara | 2010 | no | |
Matthew Wale | Democratic | Aoke-Langalanga | 2008 | no (Deputy Leader of Opposition; Shadow Minister for Education and Human Resources Development; Shadow Minister for the Environment, Conservation and Meteorology, Aug. 2010- ) | |
vacant | - | Baegu/Asifola | - | - | |
vacant | - | North Malaita | - | - | |
vacant | - | Shortlands | - | - |
Changes
- Steve Laore (Independent), MP for Shortlands, died on 25 August 2010, three weeks after the election. There was a by-election in Shortlands to determine his successor, on 30 March 2011. His brother Christopher Laore (Independent) succeeded him.[8][9]
- Toswel Kaua (Independent), MP for Baegu-Asifola, died on 16 November 2010. There was a by-election in Baegu-Asifola to determine his successor, on 30 March 2011. David Tome (Independent) succeeded him.[10][11]
- Jimmy Lusibaea (Independent), MP for North Malaita and Minister for Fisheries, lost his seat on 30 November 2010 upon being sentenced to two years and nine months in gaol for assault and grievous bodily harm.[12] On 20 January 2011, the Minister for Police, James Tora, remitted Lusibaea's sentence to one month, using his discretion as Minister under section 38 of the Correctional Service Act. Consequently, Lusibaea was no longer barred from occupying his seat, and resumed his functions in Parliament.[13] On 17 October, the High Court ruled that the remit did not amount to a court-sanctioned reduction in sentence, and Lusibaea lost his seat once more. There was a by-election in North Malaita on 1 August 2012 to determine his successor.[14][15] His wife Vika Lusibaea (Independent) succeeded him, becoming only the second woman ever to be elected to Parliament (following Hilda Kari in the 1990s).[16]
- Andrew Hanaria (People's Congress Party), MP for East ꞌAreꞌare and Minister for Civil Aviation, had his election voided by the High Court on 7 December 2011. He was found to have bribed voters in his constituency with cash and material goods before the election. There was a by-election in East ꞌAreꞌare on 1 August 2012 to determine his successor.[17] Andrew Manepora'a (party not specified) succeeded him.[18]
- Mark Kemakeza (Independent), MP for Nggella, lost his seat in March 2012 upon being convicted of misuse of public funds and sentenced to fourteen months in gaol.[19] A by-election was held on 27 February 2013 to determine his successor; trade unionist and teacher Johnley Hatimoana was elected to replace him.[20]
- Johnley Hatimoana, MP for Ngella, died suddenly of pneumonia on 18 April 2014.[21] There was no by-election, as the next general election was only a few months away.
- Martin Magga (People's Alliance), MP for Temotu Pele, died after a long illness on 25 August 2014. As with Johnley Hatimoana, his death did not necessitate a by-election.[22]
Legislation
The following Acts were enacted under the Ninth Parliament.[23]
- 2010 Supplementary Appropriation Act 2011
- 2011 Appropriation Act 2011
References
- "Members of the 8th Parliament", National Parliament of Solomon Islands
- 2010 election data Archived 20 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation
- "Sir Allan is new Speaker" Archived 5 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Solomon Star, 9 September 2010
- "Alphabetical Listing of Members of the 9th Parliament", National Parliament of Solomon Islands
- "Alphabetical Listing of Members of the 9th Parliament", National Parliament of Solomon Islands
- "PM Philip name ministers" Archived 29 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Island Sun, 27 August 2010
- "Abana is new Opposition leader" Archived 16 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Solomon Star, 1 September 2010
- "Solomons MP dies after election win", The Sydney Morning Herald, 26 August 2010
- "New MP for Shortlands" Archived 19 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Solomon Star, 1 April 2011
- "Solomon Islands MP Kaua dies after long illness", Radio New Zealand International, 16 November 2010
- "Tome gets more votes" Archived 19 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Solomon Star, 4 April 2011
- "Solomon Islands faces crisis as minister jailed", The Australian, 1 December 2010
- "Can Lusibaea perform his functions as a member of parliament?" Archived 8 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Solomon Star, 26 January 2011
- "High Court Rules against Lusibaea", Solomon Times, 18 October 2011
- "Solomon Islands Governor General accepts ruling on Lusibaea", Radio New Zealand International, 18 October 2011
- "Second Female Enters Parliament", Solomon Times, 6 August 2012
- "MP loses seat" Archived 16 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Solomon Star, 8 December 2011
- "Governor General Congratulates New Parlimentarians", Solomon Times, 7 August 2012
- "Kemakeza Convicted, Loses Seat", Solomon Times, 14 March 2012
- "Solomon Islands Gela constituency has a new MP", PINA, 4 March 2013
- "Solomons MP Hatimoana dies of pneumonia", Radio New Zealand International, 22 April 2014
- "Temotu Pele MP Dies" Archived 3 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Islands Business, 27 August 2014
- "2011 Solomon Islands Sessional Legislation", Pacific Law Database