Apia, Samoa – 03 July 2025 – The Clerk of the Legislative Assembly has clarified that the provisions of the Legislative Assembly Powers and Privileges Ordinance 1960 passed by Parliament, prevails over any Regulations and Conventions used to undermine the authority of Parliament.
This followed the most recent attempt by government officials to question the continuation of the Appointment of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and demand the return of their official vehicles.
In a press release today, the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Satama Leatisa Tala Uitime said the utmost concern is for the public to have a clear understanding of the contrasting views concerning this matter.
“For the information of the public, the Speaker has already clarified the provisions of the Legislative Assembly Powers and Privileges Ordinance 1960, which stipulates the continuation of the tenure of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker following the dissolution of Parliament. These provisions include salaries, and other benefits covering their usage of government vehicles.”
Despite that, there is continued publication that this continuation is prohibited under the Public Finance Management Amendment Regulations 2024 and the Caretaker Government Convention 2025.
“There is no authority on such Convention or the Regulation to disqualify the provisions of an Act currently continues to be in effect within Samoa,” said the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly.
Demand to return official vehicles
The CEO of the Ministry of Finance, Sa’oleititi Maeva Betham-Vaai who is the Chairperson Vehicle Taskforce, wrote to the Clerk on 19 June 2025, demanding the immediate return of the official government vehicles currently allocated to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
She quoted the Finance Management Regulation compliance and the Caretaker Government Convention 2025.
In a letter dated 23 June 2025, the Speaker responded, “I would suggest that you seek competent legal support in the future before threatening any public officer in such an inappropriate manner.”
The Clerk, Satama Leatisa Tala Uitime reiterated today that, “none of these factors can override the authority of the Legislative Assembly Powers and Privileges Ordinance 1960 which provides for the precise direction of this matter.
“The provisions of the Legislative Assembly Powers and Privileges Ordinance 1960 passed by Parliament prevails over the Regulations and Convention in question.”
