The Speaker is the presiding officer of the Fijian House of Representatives. At its first session following a general election, the House of Representatives elects a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker. With a view to ensuring impartiality, the Speaker is not allowed to be a member of the House, though he must qualify for membership. The Deputy Speaker, however, is elected from among members of the House.
The office of Speaker is an essential feature of the parliamentary system, and has proved to be the most durable of all the Westminster parliamentary traditions.
The following persons have held the office of Speaker:
| Order | Speaker | Term of office |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | R. D. Patel | 1972–1976 |
| 2. | Sir Vijay R. Singh | 1976–1977 |
| 3. | Mosese Qionibaravi | 1977–1982 |
| 4. | Tomasi Vakatora | 1982–1987 |
| 5. | Militoni Leweniqila | 1987 |
| vacant | 1987–1992 | |
| 6. | Dr. Apenisa Kurisaqila | 1992–2000 |
| vacant | 2000–2001 | |
| 7. | Ratu Epeli Nailatikau | 2001–2006 |
| 8. | Pita Nacuva | 2006 |
| vacant | 2006–present | |
Famous quotes containing the words speaker and/or house:
“Good as is discourse, silence is better, and shames it. The length of the discourse indicates the distance of thought betwixt the speaker and the hearer. If they were at a perfect understanding in any part, no words would be necessary thereon. If at one in all parts, no words would be suffered.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“[They] hired a large house as a receptacle for gentlewomen, who either had no fortunes, or so little that it would not support them. For these they made the most comfortable institution [and] provided [them] with all conveniences for rural amusements, a library, musical instruments, and implements for various works.”
—Sarah Fielding (1710–1768)