Robert Woonton was born on 1949 and is a Cook Islands politician and diplomat.
18 Facts About Robert Woonton
1.
2.
Robert Woonton served as Prime Minister of the Cook Islands from 11 February 2002 until 11 December 2004, and later as High Commissioner to New Zealand.
3.
Robert Woonton was a member of the centrist Democratic Party.
4.
Robert Woonton was first elected to the Cook Islands Parliament at the 1994 election.
5.
In February 2002 Woonton resigned his portfolios and tabled a motion of no confidence against Maoate.
6.
Three days later, Maoate resigned after losing a second confidence vote, and Robert Woonton became prime minister.
7.
Robert Woonton's premiership was beset by chaos and allegations of corruption.
8.
Later that month Robert Woonton was officially elected leader of the Democratic Party, replacing Maoate.
9.
Robert Woonton was replaced again by Maoate in May 2004.
10.
In December 2003 Robert Woonton's government faced allegations that it was selling residency, after it granted residency to convicted New Zealand businessman Mark Lyon in exchange for a $150,000 bond.
11.
Lyon was later banned from the Cook Islands, and Robert Woonton attempted to sue those critical of the decision to allow him in for defamation.
12.
At the 2004 election Robert Woonton's government retained its majority, but Robert Woonton was nearly defeated.
13.
Robert Woonton was expelled from the Democratic Party and formed his own party, the Demo Party Tumu.
14.
On 12 December 2004 a recount found that the result in Robert Woonton's electorate of Manihiki was a tie.
15.
Robert Woonton resigned as prime minister, and was replaced by Jim Marurai.
16.
Robert Woonton did not contest the resulting 2005 Manihiki by-election.
17.
In early 2005 Robert Woonton was appointed High Commissioner to New Zealand, replacing Tom Davis.
18.
Robert Woonton was sacked in March 2006, following accusations that he was plotting with members of parliament to end Marurai's government.