Former Samoa deputy PM left out of cabinet ^Featured

Prime Minister Auelua Fatialofa Lupesoli'ai Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, revealed his new-look Cabinet this morning as Samoa's 16th Parliament was sworn in following the recent general election.

Fiame Naomi Mataafa was named the country's first female deputy prime minister, and also takes up the new role of the minister of environment. Her father

Fiame Mata'afa Faumuina Mulinu'u II was the first Prime Minister of Samoa. Her predecessor, Fonotoe, was convicted and fined for obstructing police in 2014.

Our correspondent, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, said 13 MPs, including the Prime Minister, were given cabinet roles and Fonotoe had been left out.

"This proves a lot of speculations, and rumours in the past parliament and the outgoing government that he was involved in a lot of disputes amongst several members of the ruling party."

Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia said one other woman MP, Faimalotoa Kika Stowers, had secured a cabinet role, as the new minister for women and social affairs.

In total, there are seven new cabinet ministers. Meanwhile the HRPP caucus on Wednesday unanimously voted Leaupepe Toleafoa Faafisi, the re-elected MP for A'ana Alofi number one west, to be the new Speaker.

Leaupepe Toleafoa was the former Parliamentary speaker in previous Parliaments. The new deputy Speaker is the newly elected MP for Gaga'emauga number three Constituency and a former assistant police commissioner, Nafo'itoa Talaimanu Keti.

He defeated the former Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Faamoetauloa Faale Tumaalii.

Samoa's new line up of Government ministers

    1. Fiame Naomi Mataafa - Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (Deputy Prime Minister)
    2. Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell - Minister of Labour, Government Enterprises, Tourism and Samoa Land Corporation
    3. Tuitama Talalelei Tuitama - Minister of Health
    4. Sala Fata Pinati - Minister of Police and Prisons
    5. Sili Epa Tuioti - Minister of Finance (new)
    6. Faimalotoa Kika Iemaima Stowers - Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development (new)
    7. Laauli Polataivao Leuatea Schmidt - Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Scientific Research of Samoa (new)
    8. Afamasaga Rico Tupa'i - Minister of Telecommunication and Technology (new)
    9. Faaolesa Katopau Ainu'u - Minister of Justice (new)
    10. Tialavea Tionisio Hunt - Minister of Revenues (new)
    11. Papalii Niko Lee Hang - Minister of Works and Infrastructure
    12. Loau Keneti Sio - Minister of Education, Sports and Culture (new)
    13. Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi - Prime Minister, Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Attorney General, and Public Service Commission

RNZI