Tomu Sione

Sir Tomu Malaefone Sione, GCMG, OBE, (born 17 November 1941)[1] is a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. He worked as a journalist from 1962–68.

Member of Parliament

Tomu Sione was elected to represent the constituency of Niutao in the House of Representatives of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony in general election of 1974. Following the separation of Tuvalu from Kiribati he served in the House of Assembly of the Colony of Tuvalu.[2]

Following independence Tomu Sione was elected to represent the constituency of Niutao in the Parliament of Tuvalu in the elections held on 27 August 1977.[2]

Governor-General

Sione served as Governor-General of Tuvalu from 1993–1994,[3] as the representative of HM Queen Elizabeth II, who is Tuvalu's head of state.

Later political career

Somewhat unusually for a former Governor-General, after standing down from this office, Sione later stood again for parliament. He was elected by the constituency of Niutao and served as Speaker of the Parliament from 1998 to 2002.[4]

He was created GCMG in 2001.

Sione lost his seat in the 2002 general election,[4] however he was re-elected in the Tuvaluan general election, 2006 and was subsequent appointed as chairman of the parliamentary caucus in the Administration of Prime Minister of Tuvalu Apisai Ielemia.

He represented the constituency of Niutao until the Tuvaluan general election, 2010. He was a candidate in the Tuvaluan general election, 2015 and received 300 votes, but was not elected to parliament.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.burkespeerage.com
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Tito Isala, Hugh Larcy (ed) (1983). "Chapter 20, Secession and Independence". Tuvalu: A History. University of the South Pacific/Government of Tuvalu. pp. 153–177.
  3. ↑ Craig, Robert D. (2010). Historical Dictionary of Polynesia. Scarecrow Press.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Palamene o Tuvalu (Parliament of Tuvalu)". Inter-Parliamentary Union. 2002. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  5. ↑ "Tuvalu National Election 2015 Results (Niutao)". Fenui News. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.