Papali’i Li’o Taeu Masipau
Papali’i Li’o Oloipola Taeu Masipau (born c. 1954)[1] is a Samoan politician and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa.
Papali’i Li’o Taeu Masipau | |
|---|---|
| Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa | |
| Assumed office 24 May 2021[lower-alpha 1] | |
| Prime Minister | Fiame Naomi Mataʻafa |
| Deputy | Auapaau Mulipola Aloitafua |
| Preceded by | Leaupepe Toleafoa Faafisi |
| Member of the Samoan Parliament for Fa’asaleleaga No. 3 | |
| Assumed office 9 April 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Namulau'ulu Sami Leota |
| Member of the Samoan Parliament for Fa'asalele'aga No. 2 | |
| In office 4 March 2011 – 4 March 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Papalii Samuelu Petaia |
| Succeeded by | Pa’u Sefo Pa’u |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1954 (age 66–67) Territory of Western Samoa |
| Political party | Tautua Samoa Party Human Rights Protection Party F.A.S.T. |
Papali’i is a lawyer and former Assistant Police Commissioner.[1] He was first elected to the Fono as a candidate for the Tautua Samoa Party in the 2011 Samoan general election. He lost his seat in the 2016 election. In 2019 he ran as a candidate for the Human Rights Protection Party in the Fa’asaleleaga No. 2 by-election,[2] but was unsuccessful.[3]
He was re-elected as a candidate for the F.A.S.T. party for Fa’asaleleaga No. 3 in the 2021 election.[4] On 22 May 2021 he was nominated by FAST as Speaker.[5] On 24 May he was sworn in in an ad-hoc ceremony after being locked out of Parliament.[6] The appointment was disputed by the caretaker government. On 23 July 2021 the Court of Appeal ruled that the swearing-in ceremony was constitutional and binding, and that FAST had been the government since 24 May.[7] On 26 July he was welcomed to parliament and given the keys to the parliamentary complex.[8]
On 13 September, in response to HRPP MPs refusing to be sworn in by him,[9] Papali’i banned them from attending the first full sitting of parliament.[10][11]
Notes
- Disputed: 24 May 2021 – 23 July 2021
References
- Soli Wilson (24 September 2020). "Papali'i Li'o Ta'eu Masipau returns to run under F.A.S.T." Samoa Observer. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- "Candidates stand for Samoa ruling Human Rights Protection Party". Fiji Times. 20 February 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- "Samoa ruling party candidate wins by-election". RNZ. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (10 April 2021). "Fa'asaleleaga No. 3 challenger grateful victor". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
- Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (22 May 2021). "F.A.S.T. appoints leadership". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong (24 May 2021). "Fiame takes P.M.'s oath". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong (23 July 2021). "F.A.S.T. declared new Government as appeal upheld". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (26 July 2021). "Parliament's new Speaker welcomed, receives keys". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (8 September 2021). "H.R.P.P. meets with Speaker". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- "HRPP Not Permitted to Attend Parliament – Speaker Sends Letter to Confirm". Samoa Global News. 13 September 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (13 September 2021). "Unsworn M.P.s turned away: Speaker". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 13 September 2021.