Cabinet of Tuvalu
Encyclopedia
The Cabinet
of Tuvalu is the executive branch
of the government
of Tuvalu
.
It is drawn from, and responsible to, the legislative branch
, the monocameral Fale i Fono
. After every legislative election, Members of Parliament (MPs) elect one of their own as Prime Minister
. The latter then chooses his ministers among the MPs, to form a Cabinet. (Officially, ministers are appointed by the monarch
, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister
.) Initially, the Constitution provided that the number of members of Cabinet (excluding the Prime Minister) must not be higher than one third of the number of Members of Parliament. This, however, was amended by the Constitution of Tuvalu (Amendment) Act 2007, which provides that up to half of the Members of Parliament may be appointed to Cabinet (in addition to the Prime Minister). There are currently 15 MPs.
As there are no political parties in Tuvalu, and MPs are independent members representing the interest of their constituency, the Prime Minister is traditionally careful to appoint MPs from different parts of the country as his Cabinet members.
The Constitution states that the Cabinet is responsible to Parliament. The latter may dismiss it through a vote of no confidence.
, Minister for Home Affairs in the Toafa Cabinet, crossed the floor, joined the Opposition and enabled it to bring down the government through a motion of no confidence
, carrying it by eight votes to seven. On 24 December, Telavi was elected to be the new Prime Minister, defeating Environment Minister Enele Sopoaga
(who was supported by Maatia Toafa
) by another 8-7 vote.
Telavi appointed the following as his new Cabinet on that same day, Christmas Eve:
Isaia Italeli
, Minister for Works and Natural Resources, died suddenly on 19 July 2011, while attending a regional meeting in Apia, Samoa
. His successor has yet to be appointed.
on 29 September 2010, following the general election
on 16 September. It included a number of first time MPs, who had supported Toafa in his bid for the premiership. Sopoaga's appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs was described as a clear sign of the importance the government placed on climate change
issues within its foreign policy
.
(2006–2010) chose the following as his Cabinet:
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
of Tuvalu is the executive branch
Executive (government)
Executive branch of Government is the part of government that has sole authority and responsibility for the daily administration of the state bureaucracy. The division of power into separate branches of government is central to the idea of the separation of powers.In many countries, the term...
of the government
Politics of Tuvalu
The politics of Tuvalu takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy, whereby the Monarch is the head of state, represented by the Governor-General, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government...
of Tuvalu
Tuvalu
Tuvalu , formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, midway between Hawaii and Australia. Its nearest neighbours are Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa and Fiji. It comprises four reef islands and five true atolls...
.
It is drawn from, and responsible to, the legislative branch
Legislature
A legislature is a kind of deliberative assembly with the power to pass, amend, and repeal laws. The law created by a legislature is called legislation or statutory law. In addition to enacting laws, legislatures usually have exclusive authority to raise or lower taxes and adopt the budget and...
, the monocameral Fale i Fono
Parliament of Tuvalu
The Parliament of Tuvalu is the unicameral national legislature in Tuvalu.-History and political culture:...
. After every legislative election, Members of Parliament (MPs) elect one of their own as Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Tuvalu
The Prime Minister of Tuvalu is the head of government of Tuvalu. According to Tuvalu's constitution, the Prime Minister must always be a member of Parliament, and is elected by Parliament in a secret ballot. Because there are no political parties in Tuvalu, any member of Parliament can be...
. The latter then chooses his ministers among the MPs, to form a Cabinet. (Officially, ministers are appointed by the monarch
Monarchy of Tuvalu
The monarchy of Tuvalu is a system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign of Tuvalu. The present monarch of Tuvalu is Queen Elizabeth II. Tuvalu shares the sovereign with 15 other Commonwealth realms...
, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister
Advice (constitutional)
Advice, in constitutional law, is formal, usually binding, instruction given by one constitutional officer of state to another. Especially in parliamentary systems of government, Heads of state often act on the basis of advice issued by prime ministers or other government ministers...
.) Initially, the Constitution provided that the number of members of Cabinet (excluding the Prime Minister) must not be higher than one third of the number of Members of Parliament. This, however, was amended by the Constitution of Tuvalu (Amendment) Act 2007, which provides that up to half of the Members of Parliament may be appointed to Cabinet (in addition to the Prime Minister). There are currently 15 MPs.
As there are no political parties in Tuvalu, and MPs are independent members representing the interest of their constituency, the Prime Minister is traditionally careful to appoint MPs from different parts of the country as his Cabinet members.
The Constitution states that the Cabinet is responsible to Parliament. The latter may dismiss it through a vote of no confidence.
Current Cabinet
In December 2010, Willy TelaviWilly Telavi
Willy Telavi is a Tuvaluan politician. He became Prime Minister of Tuvalu on 24 December 2010.-Background:Telavi is from Nanumea. His career in the Tuvalu Police Force culminated in his appointment as Police Commissioner in 1993, a position he held for thirteen years...
, Minister for Home Affairs in the Toafa Cabinet, crossed the floor, joined the Opposition and enabled it to bring down the government through a motion of no confidence
Motion of no confidence
A motion of no confidence is a parliamentary motion whose passing would demonstrate to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in the appointed government.-Overview:Typically, when a parliament passes a vote of no...
, carrying it by eight votes to seven. On 24 December, Telavi was elected to be the new Prime Minister, defeating Environment Minister Enele Sopoaga
Enele Sopoaga
Enele Sosene Sopoaga is a Tuvaluan diplomat and politician. His served as deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Environment and Labour in Prime Minister Maatia Toafa's short-lived government from September to December 2010...
(who was supported by Maatia Toafa
Maatia Toafa
Maatia Toafa is a Tuvaluan politician, representing Nanumea who served two non-consecutive terms as Prime Minister of Tuvalu. He first served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2006, from the resignation of his predecessor, Saufatu Sopoanga, until the defeat of his Cabinet in the 2006 general election...
) by another 8-7 vote.
Telavi appointed the following as his new Cabinet on that same day, Christmas Eve:
| Portfolio | Minister | Constituency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister Prime Minister of Tuvalu The Prime Minister of Tuvalu is the head of government of Tuvalu. According to Tuvalu's constitution, the Prime Minister must always be a member of Parliament, and is elected by Parliament in a secret ballot. Because there are no political parties in Tuvalu, any member of Parliament can be... ; Minister for Home Affairs |
Willy Telavi Willy Telavi Willy Telavi is a Tuvaluan politician. He became Prime Minister of Tuvalu on 24 December 2010.-Background:Telavi is from Nanumea. His career in the Tuvalu Police Force culminated in his appointment as Police Commissioner in 1993, a position he held for thirteen years... |
Nanumea Nanumea Nanumea is the northwesternmost atoll in the Polynesian nation of Tuvalu, a group of nine coral atolls and islands spread over about four hundred miles of Pacific Ocean just south of the equator and west of the International Date Line.-Geography:... |
|
| Minister for Communications, Transport and Public Utilities |
Kausea Natano Kausea Natano Kausea Natano is a Tuvaluan politician. He currently serves as MP for Funafuti and Minister for Communications in Prime Minister Willy Telavi's Cabinet.-Political career:Natano has been elected multiple times to the Parliament of Tuvalu.... |
Funafuti Funafuti Funafuti is an atoll that forms the capital of the island nation of Tuvalu. It has a population of 4,492 , making it the most populated atoll in the country. It is a narrow sweep of land between 20 and 400 metres wide, encircling a large lagoon 18 km long and 14 km wide, with a surface of... |
|
| Minister for Education, Youth and Sport |
Dr. Falesa Pitoi Falesa Pitoi Dr. Falesa Pitoi is a Tuvaluan politician.A dentist by profession, he began his career in national politics when he was elected to Parliament in the August 2006 general election as MP for Nanumaga. He then served for a time as Minister for Education under Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia.He was... |
Nanumaga | |
| Minister for the Environment, Foreign Affairs, Labour, Trade and Tourism |
Apisai Ielemia Apisai Ielemia Apisai Ielemia is a Tuvaluan politician. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Tuvalu from 2006 to 2010.-Background:... |
Vaitupu Vaitupu Vaitupu is an atoll, which is part of the nation of Tuvalu.Vaitupu, the largest atoll of Tuvalu is located at 7.48 degrees south and 178.83 degrees west. The capital is Asau.-History:... |
Former Prime Minister |
| Minister for Finance | Lotoala Metia Lotoala Metia Lotoala Metia is a Tuvaluan politician.He was first elected to Parliament at the 2006 general election, as MP for Nukufetau. He was then appointed Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Industries in Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia's Cabinet.... |
Nukufetau Nukufetau Nukufetau is an atoll that is part of the nation of Tuvalu. The atoll was claimed by the US under the Guano Islands Act some time in the 19th century and was ceded in a treaty of friendship concluded in 1979 and coming into force in 1983... |
|
| Minister for Health | Taom Tanukale Taom Tanukale Taom Tanukale is a Tuvaluan politician.He began his career in national politics when he was elected to Parliament in a bye-election in May 2005, as MP for Nui, following the death of his predecessor... |
Nui Nui Nui is an atoll and one of nine districts of the Pacific Ocean state of Tuvalu. It has a land area of 3.37 km² and a population of 548 .-Geography:Nui consists of at least 21 islets... |
|
| Minister for Works and Natural Resources | Isaia Italeli Isaia Italeli Isaia Italeli Taeia , more commonly known as Isaia Italeli, was a Tuvaluan politician.He was elected to Parliament as MP for Nui in the September 2010 general election, at which time his elder brother, Sir Iakoba Italeli Taeia, was serving as Governor-General. On 29 September 2010, he was elected... |
Nui Nui Nui is an atoll and one of nine districts of the Pacific Ocean state of Tuvalu. It has a land area of 3.37 km² and a population of 548 .-Geography:Nui consists of at least 21 islets... |
Died in July 2011. Successor to be announced. |
Isaia Italeli
Isaia Italeli
Isaia Italeli Taeia , more commonly known as Isaia Italeli, was a Tuvaluan politician.He was elected to Parliament as MP for Nui in the September 2010 general election, at which time his elder brother, Sir Iakoba Italeli Taeia, was serving as Governor-General. On 29 September 2010, he was elected...
, Minister for Works and Natural Resources, died suddenly on 19 July 2011, while attending a regional meeting in Apia, Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
. His successor has yet to be appointed.
Toafa Cabinet (2010)
This short-lived Cabinet was appointed by Prime Minister Maatia ToafaMaatia Toafa
Maatia Toafa is a Tuvaluan politician, representing Nanumea who served two non-consecutive terms as Prime Minister of Tuvalu. He first served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2006, from the resignation of his predecessor, Saufatu Sopoanga, until the defeat of his Cabinet in the 2006 general election...
on 29 September 2010, following the general election
Tuvaluan general election, 2010
A parliamentary election was held in Tuvalu on 16 September 2010.Voters elected fifteen members of the Parliament to a four-year term. All candidates were independents, as there are no political parties in the country. Ten out of the fifteen incumbent members were re-elected. The remaining five...
on 16 September. It included a number of first time MPs, who had supported Toafa in his bid for the premiership. Sopoaga's appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs was described as a clear sign of the importance the government placed on climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
issues within its foreign policy
Foreign relations of Tuvalu
-Membership of the United Nations and the Commonwealth:In the United Nations process noted above, of the 15 members of the Security Council, 14 voted in favor of the resolution; the People's Republic of China abstained, largely to express its unhappiness over Tuvalu's ties with Republic of China ...
.
| Portfolio | Minister | Constituency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister Prime Minister of Tuvalu The Prime Minister of Tuvalu is the head of government of Tuvalu. According to Tuvalu's constitution, the Prime Minister must always be a member of Parliament, and is elected by Parliament in a secret ballot. Because there are no political parties in Tuvalu, any member of Parliament can be... |
Maatia Toafa Maatia Toafa Maatia Toafa is a Tuvaluan politician, representing Nanumea who served two non-consecutive terms as Prime Minister of Tuvalu. He first served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2006, from the resignation of his predecessor, Saufatu Sopoanga, until the defeat of his Cabinet in the 2006 general election... |
Nanumea Nanumea Nanumea is the northwesternmost atoll in the Polynesian nation of Tuvalu, a group of nine coral atolls and islands spread over about four hundred miles of Pacific Ocean just south of the equator and west of the International Date Line.-Geography:... |
Was previously Prime Minister from 2004 to 2006 |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Environment and Labour |
Enele Sopoaga Enele Sopoaga Enele Sosene Sopoaga is a Tuvaluan diplomat and politician. His served as deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Environment and Labour in Prime Minister Maatia Toafa's short-lived government from September to December 2010... |
Nukufetau Nukufetau Nukufetau is an atoll that is part of the nation of Tuvalu. The atoll was claimed by the US under the Guano Islands Act some time in the 19th century and was ceded in a treaty of friendship concluded in 1979 and coming into force in 1983... |
First time MP Diplomat; renowned as Tuvalu's "climate change negociator"; reportedly a "national hero" |
| Minister of Education, Youth and Sport | Namoliki Sualiki Namoliki Sualiki Namoliki Sualiki Neemia MBE, generally referred to as Namoliki Sualiki, is a Tuvaluan politician.He obtained a Master of Education degree at James Cook University in Queensland, Australia, in 1994. His thesis, entitled "Learning for life: up to and beyond the year 2000", explored the social aspects... |
Nukulaelae Nukulaelae Nukulaelae is an atoll that is part of the nation of Tuvalu, and has a population of 393. It has the form of an oval and consists of at least 15 islets... |
Former teacher |
| Minister of Finance | Monise Laafai Monise Laafai Monise Laafai is a Tuvaluan politician and businessman.He stood for Parliament for the first time at the 2010 general election, and was elected MP for the constituency of Nanumaga. He supported Maatia Toafa's successful bid for the premiership, and was subsequently appointed to Cabinet, as Minister... |
Nanumaga | First time MP Businessman |
| Minister of Health | Fauoa Maani Fauoa Maani Fauoa Maani MBE is a Tuvaluan politician.He worked as a journalist and served as clerk to the national Parliament, and was named Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2009, a title awarded to him in recognition of his "public service and service to the community".The following year, he went... |
Niutao Niutao Niutao is a reef island in the northern part of Tuvalu. It is one of the nine districts of Tuvalu, and one of the three who consist of only one island, not counting the three islets inside the closed lagoon. Niutao has a population of 663 .-Geography:There are two lakes , which are brackish to... |
First time MP Former journalist and clerk to Parliament |
| Minister of Works and Natural resources | Vete Sakaio Vete Sakaio Vete Sakaio is a Tuvaluan politician.A civil engineer by trade, he was described in 2008 as a "leader of the community" on his home island of Niutao... |
Niutao Niutao Niutao is a reef island in the northern part of Tuvalu. It is one of the nine districts of Tuvalu, and one of the three who consist of only one island, not counting the three islets inside the closed lagoon. Niutao has a population of 663 .-Geography:There are two lakes , which are brackish to... |
First time MP Civil engineer |
| Minister of Communication, Transport and Fisheries | Taukelina Finikaso Taukelina Finikaso Taukelina Finikaso is a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu.At the 2006 general election, he was elected MP for his home constituency of Vaitupu... |
Vaitupu Vaitupu Vaitupu is an atoll, which is part of the nation of Tuvalu.Vaitupu, the largest atoll of Tuvalu is located at 7.48 degrees south and 178.83 degrees west. The capital is Asau.-History:... |
Former Minister of Communication, Transport and Tourism |
| Minister of Home Affairs | Willy Telavi Willy Telavi Willy Telavi is a Tuvaluan politician. He became Prime Minister of Tuvalu on 24 December 2010.-Background:Telavi is from Nanumea. His career in the Tuvalu Police Force culminated in his appointment as Police Commissioner in 1993, a position he held for thirteen years... |
Nanumea Nanumea Nanumea is the northwesternmost atoll in the Polynesian nation of Tuvalu, a group of nine coral atolls and islands spread over about four hundred miles of Pacific Ocean just south of the equator and west of the International Date Line.-Geography:... |
Former Minister of Home Affairs and Rural Development |
Ielemia Cabinet (2006-2010)
Prime Minister Apisai IelemiaApisai Ielemia
Apisai Ielemia is a Tuvaluan politician. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Tuvalu from 2006 to 2010.-Background:...
(2006–2010) chose the following as his Cabinet:
| Portfolio | Minister |
|---|---|
| Prime Minister Prime Minister of Tuvalu The Prime Minister of Tuvalu is the head of government of Tuvalu. According to Tuvalu's constitution, the Prime Minister must always be a member of Parliament, and is elected by Parliament in a secret ballot. Because there are no political parties in Tuvalu, any member of Parliament can be... ; Minister for Labour |
Apisai Ielemia Apisai Ielemia Apisai Ielemia is a Tuvaluan politician. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Tuvalu from 2006 to 2010.-Background:... |
| Deputy Prime Minister; Minister for Natural Resources and the Environment |
Tavau Teii Tavau Teii -Background:Teii is from Niutao and he stood for the Parliament of Tuvalu in, and was elected from, the constituency of Niutao.-Deputy Prime Minister of Tuvalu:He was Deputy Prime Minister of Tuvalu in the Government of Apisai Ielemia... |
| Minister for Communications, Transport and Tourism |
Taukelina Finikaso Taukelina Finikaso Taukelina Finikaso is a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu.At the 2006 general election, he was elected MP for his home constituency of Vaitupu... |
| Minister for Education,Sports and Health | Iakoba Taeia Italeli |
| Minister for Finance and Economic Planning | Lotoala Metia Lotoala Metia Lotoala Metia is a Tuvaluan politician.He was first elected to Parliament at the 2006 general election, as MP for Nukufetau. He was then appointed Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Industries in Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia's Cabinet.... |
| Minister for Home Affairs and Rural Development | Willy Telavi Willy Telavi Willy Telavi is a Tuvaluan politician. He became Prime Minister of Tuvalu on 24 December 2010.-Background:Telavi is from Nanumea. His career in the Tuvalu Police Force culminated in his appointment as Police Commissioner in 1993, a position he held for thirteen years... |
| Minister for Public Utilities and Industries | Kausea Natano Kausea Natano Kausea Natano is a Tuvaluan politician. He currently serves as MP for Funafuti and Minister for Communications in Prime Minister Willy Telavi's Cabinet.-Political career:Natano has been elected multiple times to the Parliament of Tuvalu.... |