Matamua Vasati Pulufana
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Matamua Vasati Pulufana | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Justice and Courts Administration | |
| Assumed office 24 May 2021[a] | |
| Prime Minister | Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa |
| Preceded by | Faaolesa Katopau Ainuu |
| Member of the Samoan Parliament for Fa'asalele'aga No. 1 | |
| Assumed office 9 April 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Sili Epa Tuioti |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi |
Matamua Seumanu Vasati Pulufana is a Samoan politician and Cabinet Minister. She is a member of the FAST Party.
Matamua is the wife of former MP Tiata Sili Pulufana and is a former educator.[1] She was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Samoa in the 2021 Samoan general election,[2][3] defeating finance minister Sili Epa Tuioti.[4] On 24 May 2021 she was appointed Minister of Justice and Courts Administration in the elected cabinet of Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa.[5] 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.[6][7]
In December 2021 Matamua suspended the appointment process for the Deputy President for the Land and Titles Court of Samoa on the grounds that a "drafting error" in the Land and Titles Bill meant that there were no legal provisions for appointments to the court.[8] Attorney-General Su'a Hellene Wallwork subsequently issued a formal opinion that the lack of appointment provisions meant that no appointments could be made until further legislation had been passed,[9] and that the Komisi o Fa'amasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa, intended to be an appointments and supervisory body for the court, was legally powerless.[10] On this basis, Matamua ordered the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration not to progress the appointments in any way. Despite this, on 17 December 2021 Fepulea'i purported to swear in Faimalomatumua and two other judges without warrants of appointment from the O le Ao o le Malo, claiming the appointments were "made by God".[11]
Notes
References
- ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (20 November 2020). "Matamua follows late husband's footsteps". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ "FAST Candidates Displace 4 Ministers and Deputy Speaker". Samoa Global News. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
- ^ "FAST Ushers In More New MPs Than HRPP". Newsline Samoa. 11 April 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
- ^ Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (10 April 2021). "Sili will challenge defeat in court". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ^ Marieta H Ilalio (25 May 2021). "Fiame Sworn in as Prime Minister under Marquees on Parliament Grounds". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 25 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.
- ^ "First FAST Cabinet Down to Work – When the Impossible Happens". Talamua Online. 29 July 2021. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (6 December 2021). "Justice Minister halts L.T.C. Deputy President appointment". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
- ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (14 December 2021). "A.G. advice against L.T.C. appointment". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (15 December 2021). "L.T.C. Commission powerless: A.G." Samoa Observer. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (17 December 2021). ""Appointments made by God": L.T.C. President". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 17 December 2021.