The Clerk of the Legislative Assembly has confirmed the programme for the official opening of Samoa’s XVIIth Parliament.
Tiatia Graeme Tualaulelei says over 500 invitations have been sent out, including 5 invitations gives to each of the 51 elected Members of Parliament.
The first order of business is the appointment of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House, followed by the warrant of appointment of the Prime Minister.
Archbishop Alapati Lui Mataeliga, appointed the second Archbishop of Samoa upon the retirement of Cardinal Pio Taofinu’u in 2002, will lead the official church service after the swearing in of the Prime Minister.
The historical service will officiate the appointment of Honorable Fiame Naomi Mataafa as Samoa’s first woman Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister will name her Cabinet Ministers, whom will also to be sworn-in on Monday morning.
The proclamation to convene the XVIIth Parliament of Samoa was finally issued by the Head of State Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II yesterday afternoon after the Court of Appeal dismissed an application for stay of a Supreme Court decision that disallowed a 52nd MP. If the seat of Aliimalemanu Alofa Tuuau had not been declared void, Samoa’s Parliament would have been hung, forcing the Head the State to call fresh elections.
PROGRAMME
9:00am – Honourable Members and Guests Seated
9:30am – PARLIAMENTARY CEREMONY
- Prayer – Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
- Proclamation from the Head of State
- Warrant of Appointment
- Opening Remarks from the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
- Appointment of the Speaker & Deputy Speaker
- Endorsement of the Speaker
- Warrant of Appointment of the Prime Minister
CHURCH SERVICE – OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE XVIIth PARLIAMENT
Officiating Minister : Afioga Akiepikopo Alapati Lui Mataeliga
- Swearing-In of the Speaker
- Swearing-In of Members of Parliament
- Message from the Head of State
- Speech from the Speaker of the House
STATE CEREMONY
- Swearing-In of the Prime Minister
- Swearing-In of Cabinet Ministers
- Speech from the Prime Minister
TAUMAFATAGA
Hymns:
1. Faafetai i Le Atua
2. Le Alii e, Lo’u Alii
3. Le Atua Manana e
