16 Facts About Tomu Sione

Sir Tomu Malaefone Sione was a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu.

Tomu Sione worked as a journalist from 1962 to 1968, and held the post of radio announcer in the Broadcasting and Information Department of the administration of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony.

Tomu Sione was the head of the southern Niutao clan.

Tomu Sione was first elected to represent the constituency of Niutao in the House of Assembly of the GEIC in 1970.

Tomu Sione was re-elected in the 1971 Gilbert and Ellice Islands general election, and in the 1974 Gilbert and Ellice Islands general election.

Tomu Sione was the Minister of Commerce and Natural Resources in the government of Toaripi Lauti, and Minister for National Resources and Home Affairs from 1989 to 1993 in the government of Bikenibeu Paeniu.

Tomu Sione agree with the members of the Paeniu team of candidates in the second 1993 elections, that he would not stand for parliament.

Bikenibeu Paeniu was the caretaker prime minister and proceeded to have Tomu Sione appointed as the Governor-General, as Toaripi Lauti, the incumbent Governor-General was due to retire as he had reached the retirement age of 65 years.

Tomu Sione served as Governor-General of Tuvalu from 1993 to 1994, as the representative of Elizabeth II, Queen of Tuvalu.

Tomu Sione was sworn in as the Governor-General on 29 November 1993.

Tomu Sione's office was terminated by Queen Elizabeth II in June 1994.

Somewhat unusually for a former Governor-General, Tomu Sione later stood again for parliament.

Tomu Sione was elected by the constituency of Niutao in the 1998 Tuvaluan general election, and served as Speaker of the Parliament from 1998 to 2002.

Tomu Sione lost his seat in the 2002 Tuvaluan general election, however he was re-elected in the 2006 Tuvaluan general election and was subsequent appointed as chairman of the parliamentary caucus in the Administration of Prime Minister of Tuvalu Apisai Ielemia.

Tomu Sione represented the constituency of Niutao until the 2010 Tuvaluan general election.

Tomu Sione was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1990 Birthday Honours for services to the community, and appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in 2001.