Faimalaga Luka
Encyclopedia
Faimalaga Luka was a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu
. He served as Governor-General
and the sixth Prime Minister
of Tuvalu
.
from 24 February 2001 after the previous Prime Minister, Ionatana Ionatana
, died of a heart attack in December 2000.
Within a year of taking office, Luka lost a vote of no confidence on 14 December 2001 and was forced to resign as Prime Minister, being replaced by Koloa Talake
.
Luka was appointed as Governor-General on 9 September 2003, as the representative of HM Queen Elizabeth II, who is Tuvalu
's head of state
. He retired on 15 April 2005 after reaching his 65th birthday. Tuvalu, unlike most countries, has a mandatory retirement age for all civil servants.
Historical note: Luka was the only Governor-General of Tuvalu
not to accept a Knighthood. The practice of a Governor-General accepting a Knighthood was resumed by Luka's successor to that office, Sir Filoimea Telito
.
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...
. He served as Governor-General
Governor-General of Tuvalu
The Governor-General of Tuvalu is the representative of Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Tuvalu, the nation's Head of State, and performs the duties of the Queen in her absence.-History:...
and the sixth 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...
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...
.
Background
He was a broadcaster and politician, spending 40 years in the civil service and in politics, serving in roles including Minister for Health from 1994 to 1996 and Minister of Home Affairs from 1999 to 2001.Prime Minister
He became Prime Minister of TuvaluPrime 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...
from 24 February 2001 after the previous Prime Minister, Ionatana Ionatana
Ionatana Ionatana
Ionatana Ionatana, CVO, OBE , was a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. He was the fifth Prime Minister of Tuvalu from April 27, 1999, to December 8, 2000.-Background:...
, died of a heart attack in December 2000.
Within a year of taking office, Luka lost a vote of no confidence on 14 December 2001 and was forced to resign as Prime Minister, being replaced by Koloa Talake
Koloa Talake
The Rt Hon Koloa Talake is a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu.-Prime Minister of Tuvalu:He served as the seventh Prime Minister of Tuvalu for nine months, 14 December 2001-2 August 2002, after defeating Faimalaga Luka in a vote of no confidence.Talake was defeated in elections in...
.
Speaker of Parliament; Governor-General
In June 2003 he became Speaker of Parliament, although an opposition MP at the time.Luka was appointed as Governor-General on 9 September 2003, as the representative of HM Queen Elizabeth II, who is 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...
's head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
. He retired on 15 April 2005 after reaching his 65th birthday. Tuvalu, unlike most countries, has a mandatory retirement age for all civil servants.
Historical note: Luka was the only Governor-General of Tuvalu
Governor-General of Tuvalu
The Governor-General of Tuvalu is the representative of Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Tuvalu, the nation's Head of State, and performs the duties of the Queen in her absence.-History:...
not to accept a Knighthood. The practice of a Governor-General accepting a Knighthood was resumed by Luka's successor to that office, Sir Filoimea Telito
Filoimea Telito
Sir Filoimea Telito, GCMG, MBE was a political and religious figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu.-Background:...
.