Governor-General of the Solomon Islands
Encyclopedia
The Governor-General of Solomon Islands is the representative of the Queen of Solomon Islands, Elizabeth II
. The Queen does not reside in the islands, and so the Governor-General serves as the country's de facto
head of state
in her absence.
Solomon Islands
is a Commonwealth realm
which has retained the monarchy of the nation's former colonial power, the United Kingdom
, as its own distinct monarchy. The Governors-General of most other Commonwealth realms are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister of each realm. However, in Solomon Islands, the Governor-General is appointed by the monarch on the advice
of the National Parliament to a five-year term. In practice, this means that the Governor-General is elected by the parliament.
Though the office holds considerable reserve powers, it is largely a symbolic figurehead
position with little day-to-day involvement in government.
The current Governor-General is Frank Kabui
, a former High Court judge, who was elected on 15 June 2009 after four rounds of voting. Mr Kabui polled 30 votes, Edmund Andresen eight votes and the outgoing Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena seven votes. His term will end on 7 July 2014.
Prior to the country's independence and the establishment of this office, the islands were governed by a Governor and the Executive Council.
Terms start and end on 7 July.
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
. The Queen does not reside in the islands, and so the Governor-General serves as the country's de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
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...
in her absence.
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
is a Commonwealth realm
Commonwealth Realm
A Commonwealth realm is a sovereign state within the Commonwealth of Nations that has Elizabeth II as its monarch and head of state. The sixteen current realms have a combined land area of 18.8 million km² , and a population of 134 million, of which all, except about two million, live in the six...
which has retained the monarchy of the nation's former colonial power, the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, as its own distinct monarchy. The Governors-General of most other Commonwealth realms are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister of each realm. However, in Solomon Islands, the Governor-General is appointed by the monarch on the advice
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...
of the National Parliament to a five-year term. In practice, this means that the Governor-General is elected by the parliament.
Though the office holds considerable reserve powers, it is largely a symbolic figurehead
Figurehead
A figurehead is a carved wooden decoration found at the prow of ships largely made between the 16th and 19th century.-History:Although earlier ships had often had some form of bow ornamentation A figurehead is a carved wooden decoration found at the prow of ships largely made between the 16th and...
position with little day-to-day involvement in government.
The current Governor-General is Frank Kabui
Frank Kabui
Sir Frank Utu Ofagioro Kabui, GCMG, CSI, OBE has been the Governor General of the Solomon Islands since 7 July 2009.He is also a trained judge, having been his country's first law graduate in 1975, and is a former member of the Solomon Islands Bar Association , having twice served as its...
, a former High Court judge, who was elected on 15 June 2009 after four rounds of voting. Mr Kabui polled 30 votes, Edmund Andresen eight votes and the outgoing Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena seven votes. His term will end on 7 July 2014.
Prior to the country's independence and the establishment of this office, the islands were governed by a Governor and the Executive Council.
Governors-General of the Solomon Islands
- Sir Baddeley DevesiBaddeley DevesiSir Baddeley Devesi GCMG, GCVO is a Solomon Islander politician.He was born in Guadalcanal. He served as the first Governor-General of the Solomon Islands from July 7, 1978 to July 7, 1988...
, GCMG, GCVO (1978–1988) - Sir George Lepping, GCMG (1988–1994)
- Sir Moses Pitakaka, GCMG (1994–1999)
- Sir John LapliJohn LapliSir John Ini Lapli GCMG, was the Governor-General of the Solomon Islands from July 7, 1999 until July 7, 2004.Prior to his election as Governor-General in June 1999, Lapli was Premier of Temotu Province...
, GCMG (1999–2004) - Sir Nathaniel WaenaNathaniel WaenaSir Nathaniel Rahumaea Waena GCMG, CSI, KStJ was the Governor-General of the Solomon Islands from 2004 to 2009.Waena was a Member of the National Parliament for Ulawa-Ugi constituency in the Makira-Ulawa Province from 1984 to 2004...
, GCMG, CSI (2004–2009) - Sir Frank KabuiFrank KabuiSir Frank Utu Ofagioro Kabui, GCMG, CSI, OBE has been the Governor General of the Solomon Islands since 7 July 2009.He is also a trained judge, having been his country's first law graduate in 1975, and is a former member of the Solomon Islands Bar Association , having twice served as its...
, GCMG, CSI, OBE (2009–)
Terms start and end on 7 July.