Summary
Mosese Qionibaravi CMG (10 September 1938 – 22 September 1987) was a Fijian chief, civil servant and politician. He served as a member of the House of Representatives from 1973 until his death, also holding the offices of Speaker of the House, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Finance, and Deputy Prime Minister.
Mosese Qionibaravi CMG | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Deputy Prime Minister | |
| In office 1985–1987 | |
| Succeeded by | Harish Sharma |
| Minister of Finance | |
| In office 1983–1987 | |
| Preceded by | Charles Walker |
| Succeeded by | Mahendra Chaudhry |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism | |
| In office 1982–1983 | |
| Preceded by | Kamisese Mara |
| Succeeded by | Jonati Mavoa |
| Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
| In office 1977–1982 | |
| Preceded by | Vijay R. Singh |
| Succeeded by | Tomasi Vakatora |
| Member of the House of Representatives | |
| In office 1982–1987 | |
| Preceded by | Solomone Momoivalu |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| Constituency | Lomaiviti–Muanikau Fijian Communal |
| In office 1973–1982 | |
| Preceded by | Edward Cakobau |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| Constituency | Suva East Fijian National |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 September 1938 Fiji |
| Died | 22 September 1987 (aged 49) Sydney, Australia |
Biography edit
Qionibaravi was born in September 1938.[1] He was educated at the Ratu Alifereti Finau Memorial Primary School and then Ratu Kadavulevu School and Queen Victoria School.[1] He subsequently attended the University of Auckland, where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce in 1962 and a Master of Commerce in 1964.[1][2] After returning to Fiji, he joined the Central Planning Office as an assistant secretary, rising to become Deputy Chief Planning Officer by 1969.[1] In 1970 his wife Anaseini became Fiji's female Senator. He transferred departments to become Permanent Secretary for Finance in 1971.[1] He became a member of the Great Council of Chiefs and served on the Fijian Affairs Board and the Native Land Trust Board.[1]
In 1973 Qionibaravi left the public sector to become managing director of Naviti Investments.[3] In the same year he contested the Suva East by-election as the Alliance Party candidate following the death of incumbent Edward Cakobau and was elected to the House of Representatives.[4] He was re-elected in both elections in 1977 and was appointed Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in the 1979 Birthday Honours, and in 1981 was elected president of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and became a Pro Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific, a role he held until 1985.[1][5]
After being re-elected in 1982 elections from the Lomaiviti–Muanikau constituency, Qionibaravi was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism.[6] In late 1983 he was appointed Minister of Finance following the resignation of Charles Walker.[7] In 1985 he was also appointed Deputy Prime Minister.[8] Although he was re-elected in April 1987, the Alliance Party was defeated and he became an opposition MP until Parliament was dissolved following a military coup. He died in Sydney in September 1987 due to liver problems.[9]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g Fiji Focus, Department of Information, 1982, p13
- ^ People Pacific Islands Monthly, March 1971, p90
- ^ Localisation backlash Pacific Islands Monthly, December 1973, p11
- ^ Rift in the racial lute Pacific Islands Monthly, January 1974, p6
- ^ Pro-Chancellors University of the South Pacific
- ^ Fiji's poll of records: Most voters, most bitterness, most mud-slinging Pacific Islands Monthly, September 1982, pp10–13
- ^ Fiji's Finance Minister Walker resigns Pacific Islands Monthly, January 1984, p42
- ^ Mara's double deputies intrigue Fiji Pacific Islands Monthly, April 1985, p53
- ^ Transition Pacific Islands Monthly, November 1987, p46