Summary
Faimalaga Luka OBE (April 15, 1940 – August 19, 2005) was a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. He represented the constituency of Nukufetau in the Parliament of Tuvalu. He served as Governor-General and the Prime Minister of Tuvalu.
Faimalaga Luka | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 7th Governor-General of Tuvalu | |
| In office 9 September 2003 – 15 April 2005 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Saufatu Sopoanga Maatia Toafa |
| Preceded by | Tomasi Puapua |
| Succeeded by | Filoimea Telito |
| 6th Prime Minister of Tuvalu | |
| In office 24 February 2001 – 13 December 2001 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor‑General | Tomasi Puapua |
| Preceded by | Lagitupu Tuilimu (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Koloa Talake |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 15, 1940 |
| Died | August 19, 2005 (aged 65) Suva, Fiji |
Background edit
He was a broadcaster and politician, spending 40 years in the civil service and in politics, serving in roles including Minister for Health from 1994 to 1996 and Minister of Home Affairs from 1999 to 2001. He was married to Sikiona Luka.[1]
In the New Years Honours of 1995, he was awarded an OBE for public service.[2]
Prime Minister edit
After the death of Prime Minister Ionatana on 8 December 2000, Lagitupu Tuilimu was acting prime minister, and foreign minister, from 8 December 2000 to 24 February 2001. Faimalaga Luka became the prime minister, and foreign minister, on 23 February 2001 and was sworn in the next day with a reshuffled cabinet.[3] Luka's government lasted until December 2001, when he lost office as the consequence of a motion of no confidence.[3] On 13 December 2001 the former finance minister Koloa Talake was appointed prime minister.[3][4]
Speaker of Parliament edit
In June 2003 he became speaker of parliament, although an opposition MP at the time.[5]
Governor-General edit
Luka was appointed as Governor-General on 9 September 2003,[3][6] as the representative of Elizabeth II, Queen of Tuvalu. He retired on 15 April 2005,[3][7] after reaching his 65th birthday. Tuvalu, unlike most countries, has a mandatory retirement age for all civil servants.
Declines a knighthood edit
Historical note: Luka was the only Governor-General of Tuvalu not to accept a knighthood. The practice of a Governor-General of Tuvalu accepting a knighthood was resumed by Luka's successor to that office, Sir Filoimea Telito, who accepted an appointment to the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (GCMG).[8]
Death edit
He died on August 19, 2005, in Fiji where he had been referred for medical treatment.[3][9]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "H.E. Faimalaga Luka, Prime Minister of Tuvalu, and Mrs. Sikiona Luka, at the invitation of the government". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan). 18 June 2001. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- ^ "No. 53899". The London Gazette. 30 December 1994. p. 47.
- ^ a b c d e f Lansford, Tom (2015). Political Handbook of the World 2015. CQ Press.
- ^ Page, Kogan (2004). Asia and Pacific Review 2003/04. Kogan Page Publishers. p. 261.
- ^ "Tuvalu has new speaker". Radio New Zealand International. 24 June 2003. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ "Tuvalu swears in a new governor-general". Radio New Zealand International. 9 September 2003. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ Craig, Robert D. (2010). Historical Dictionary of Polynesia. Scarecrow Press.
- ^ "No. 58239". The London Gazette. 6 February 2007. p. 1647.
- ^ PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT - Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006 Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine