Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo

Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo (born ~1968)[1] is a Samoan politician and Cabinet Minister.[1] She is the first woman ever appointed finance minister of Samoa.[2][3] She is a member of the FAST Party.

The Honourable
Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo
Minister of Women, Community and Social Development
Assumed office
1 October 2023
Prime MinisterFiamē Naomi Mataʻafa
Preceded byLeota Laki Lamositele
Minister of Finance
In office
24 May 2021[lower-alpha 1] – 1 October 2023
Prime MinisterFiamē Naomi Mataʻafa
Preceded bySili Epa Tuioti
Succeeded byLautimuia Uelese Vaʻai
Member of the Samoan Parliament
for Palauli No. 1
Assumed office
9 April 2021
Preceded byAfoa Amituanai Faleulu Mauli
Personal details
Political partyFa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi

Mulipola is from the village of Siutu and was active in bringing gender-equality to her village council.[4] She previously worked as an auditor[5] and deputy country manager[1] for Western Union. She was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Samoa in the 2021 Samoan general election.[5][6] On 24 May 2021 she was appointed Minister of Finance in the elected cabinet of Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa.[7] The appointment was disputed by the caretaker government. 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.[8]

In August 2021 in response to opposition claims that she had sought advice from New Zealand on an upcoming budget, Mulipola suggested that she lacked confidence in Ministry of Finance chief executive Leasiosiofa’asisina Oscar Malielegaoi, opposition leader Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi's son, as his family connection to the opposition created a perceived conflict of interest.[9] On 27 August Mulipola called reports that Malielegaoi had been fired "misinformation".[10] The next day Malielegaoi resigned, saying that the Minister had demanded his resignation.[11] On 28 August Mulipola issued a statement saying that Malielegaoi's conflict of interest was not sustainable and that she had "reluctantly decided to accept his resignation".[12]

In a cabinet reshuffle on 6 September 2023 she was replaced as Minister of Finance by Lautimuia Uelese Vaʻai. Mulipola was instead appointed Minister of Women, Community and Social Development, replacing Leota Laki Lamositele from 1 October 2023.[13]

Notes
  1. Disputed: 24 May 2021 – 23 July 2021

References
  1. Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (28 July 2021). "First woman Finance Minister ready to lead". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  2. Sina Retzlaff (2 August 2021). "Samoa's First Woman Finance Minister Reveals Reform Priorities". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  3. "First FAST Cabinet Down to Work – When the Impossible Happens". Talamua Online. 29 July 2021. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  4. "From a triangle to a square – how the village of Siutu changed its future by changing the shape of its social structure". UNDP. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  5. Soli Wilson (13 April 2021). "Mulipola Anarosa claims first class seat ahead of six others". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  6. "FAST Ushers In More New MPs Than HRPP". Newsline Samoa. 11 April 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  7. Marieta H Ilalio (25 May 2021). "Fiame Sworn in as Prime Minister under Marquees on Parliament Grounds". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  8. Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong (23 July 2021). "F.A.S.T. declared new Government as appeal upheld". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  9. Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (16 August 2021). "Mulipola rejects budget attack". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  10. "Minister of Finance Responds to "Misinformation" about Chief Financial Advisor". Samoa Global News. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  11. Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (27 August 2021). "Leasiosio says resignation demanded". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  12. Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (28 August 2021). "Finance Minister offers late night explanation". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  13. "Samoa Prime Minister Announces Cabinet Reshuffle: New Finance Minister and Two Additional Ministers". Samoa Global News. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
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