Office of the Speaker Parliament of Samoa

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Office of the Speaker

Historically, the Office of the Speaker is a fundamental component in the Parliamentary System beginning at the British Parliament dated back to 13th century England. In ancient times, the Speaker acts as a spokesperson or an agent to the monarch whom informs them about the decisions of the Parliament. The first Speaker appointed was Sir Thomas Hungerford in 1377.

Appointment of Speaker:

In accordance with the Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa:

Appointment of Speaker

In accordance with the Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa:

Article 49 provides for:

Election of Speaker – (1) ‘The Legislative Assembly shall, immediately when it first meets after a general election and as soon as possible after any vacancy occurs in the office of Speaker otherwise than by reason of a dissolution of the Assembly, elect a Member of Parliament to be Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
(1A) As an exception to clause (1), the Member nominated, by the party that wins majority of all the seats in the Legislative Assembly after a general election, is taken to have been duly elected by the Legislative Assembly pursuant to clause (1) and shall be endorsed by the Legislative Assembly as Speaker.

Article 50 provides for the election of the Deputy Speaker:

“The Legislative Assembly may elect a Member of Parliament, not being a Minister, to be Deputy Speaker. The Deputy Speaker is conferred all the functions performed by the Speaker, if there is no person holding the office of Speaker or if the Speaker is absent from Samoa or is otherwise unable to perform those functions, be performed by the Deputy Speaker."

Roles of the Speaker:

Presiding over the Legislative Assembly:

Article 55 of the Constitution stipulates: “The Speaker, or in his or her absence the Deputy Speaker, shall preside over sittings of the Legislative Assembly."

Abide by the Standing Orders:

The Speaker ensures that all Members of Parliament abides by the Standing Orders and directs deliberations and businesses in the Chambers in accordance with the Standing Orders.

Impartiality during debates:

The Speaker requires a precedence of impartiality in the execution of the duties of the office. He does not participate in the actual debating and law-making processes of the House.

Hon. Speaker of the Parliament of Samoa

Susuga Hon. PAPALI’I Li’o Oloipola Ta’eu Masipa’u took office of Speaker of the Parliament of Samoa on 24 May 2021. Hon. Papali’i Li’o Oloipola Ta’eu Masipau is a lawyer and former Assistant Police Commissioner, first elected to Parliament in 2011 general election as a candidate for the Tautua Samoa Party and re-elected as a candidate for the F.A.S.T Party in 2021 general election, for the Faasaleleaga No. 3 constituency.

Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Samoa

Afioga AUUAPAAU Mulipola Aloitafua took office of Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Samoa on 24 May 2021. Afioga Auuapaau Mulipola Aloitafua is an alumnus of Avele College and worked at the Post Office and Polynesian Airlines before running as a candidate for the F.A.S.T Party in 2021 general election for the Aiga i le Tai constituency.