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 of, speaker and/or house:
“After my death I wish no other herald,
No other speaker of my living actions
To keep mine honor from corruption,
But such an honest chronicler as Griffith.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“English audiences of working people are like an instrument that responds to the player. Thought ripples up and down them, and if in some heart the speaker strikes a dissonance there is a swift answer. Always the voice speaks from gallery or pit, the terrible voice which detaches itself in every English crowd, full of caustic wit, full of irony or, maybe, approval.”
—Mary Heaton Vorse (1874–1966)
“It is getting dark and time he drew to a house,
But the blizzard blinds him to any house ahead.
The storm gets down his neck in any icy souse
That sucks his breath like a wicked cat in bed.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)