Inia Seruiratu Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Honourable
Inia Seruiratu
Honorific-Suffix:MP
Office:Leader of the Opposition
Termstart:29 March 2023
Primeminister:Sitiveni Rabuka
Predecessor:Frank Bainimarama
Office1:Minister for Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster Management
Termstart1:16 April 2020
Termend1:24 December 2022
Primeminister1:Frank Bainimarama
Succeeded1:Sakiasi Ditoka
Office2:Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing
Termstart2:22 November 2018
Termend2:24 December 2022
Primeminister2:Frank Bainimarama
Predecessor2:Inoke Kubuabola
Succeeded2:Pio Tikoduadua
Office3:Minister for Foreign Affairs
Termstart3:28 January 2019
Termend3:16 April 2020
Predecessor3:Frank Bainimarama
Succeeded3:Frank Bainimarama
Spouse:Litea Vulakoro
Children:3
Branch:Fijian Army
Serviceyears:1987–2014
Rank:Colonel

Inia Batikoto Seruiratu is a Fijian politician and member of the Parliament of Fiji for the FijiFirst party. He has been serving as the Opposition Leader since 29 March 2023.[1] He served as the Minister for Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster Management from 2020 to 2022, and Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing from 2018 to 2022.[2] [3]

Seruiratu was first elected to Parliament at the 2014 Fijian general election and appointed Minister for Agriculture and Natural Disaster Management.[4]

He was re-elected in 2018 with 1,251 votes,[5] and appointed Minister of Defence and National Security.[6] In January 2019 he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs.[7] In April 2020 the Foreign Affairs portfolio returned to Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, and Seruiratu was instead appointed Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Minister for Disaster Management.[3]

On 29 March 2023, he was elected as the Leader of Opposition, replacing Frank Bainimarama.[8]

On April 28, 2020, Seruiratu delivered a speech celebrating the first arrival of Fiji's recently commissioned RFNS Savenaca to its homeport of Walu Bay.

Following the collapse of FijiFirst, Seruiratu remained in parliament as an independent. As leader of the Group of 16 Bloc, the largest non-government grouping, he remained leader of the opposition.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Seruiratu is the new Opposition Leader .
  2. Web site: Ministers Office of the Prime Minister Fiji. 2020-06-05. en-US.
  3. Web site: PM announces cabinet reshuffle, Faiyaz Koya sworn in as Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport . Naveel Krishant . Fiji Village . 16 April 2020 . 2020-06-05.
  4. Web site: Fiji's New Cabinet Ministers Were Sworn In Today At Government House . Fiji Sun . 24 September 2014 . 17 June 2020.
  5. Web site: 2018 General Elections Dashboard . Fiji Elections Office . 17 June 2020.
  6. Web site: New faces in Fiji cabinet . Islands Business . Netani Rika . 22 November 2018 . 17 June 2020.
  7. Web site: Inia Seruiratu Fiji's new foreign minister . RNZ . 29 January 2019 . 17 June 2020.
  8. Web site: Seruiratu elected Opposition Leader . Fijivillage . 29 March 2023 . 29 March 2023.
  9. Web site: Opposition splits in 2 - One led by Seruiratu, the other will be led by Naivalurua . Fiji Village . Navitalai Naivalurua . 5 August 2024 . 5 August 2024.