Inia Seruiratu | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Seruiratu in 2019 | |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| Assumed office 29 March 2023 | |
| Prime Minister | Sitiveni Rabuka |
| Deputy | Parveen Bala (2024–present) |
| Preceded by | Frank Bainimarama |
| Minister for Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster Management | |
| In office 16 April 2020 – 24 December 2022 | |
| Prime Minister | Frank Bainimarama |
| Succeeded by | Sakiasi Ditoka |
| Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing | |
| In office 22 November 2018 – 24 December 2022 | |
| Prime Minister | Frank Bainimarama |
| Preceded by | Inoke Kubuabola |
| Succeeded by | Pio Tikoduadua |
| Minister for Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 28 January 2019 – 16 April 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Frank Bainimarama |
| Succeeded by | Frank Bainimarama |
| Personal details | |
| Spouse | Litea Vulakoro |
| Children | 3 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch/service | Fijian Army |
| Years of service | 1987–2014 |
| Rank | Colonel |
Inia Batikoto Seruiratu is a Fijian politician and member of the Parliament of Fiji for the FijiFirst party. He has been serving as the Opposition Leader since 29 March 2023.[1] He served as the Minister for Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster Management from 2020 to 2022, and Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing from 2018 to 2022.[2][3]
Seruiratu was first elected to Parliament at the 2014 Fijian general election and appointed Minister for Agriculture and Natural Disaster Management.[4]
He was re-elected in 2018 with 1,251 votes,[5] and appointed Minister of Defence and National Security.[6] In January 2019 he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs.[7] In April 2020 the Foreign Affairs portfolio returned to Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, and Seruiratu was instead appointed Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Minister for Disaster Management.[3]
On 29 March 2023, he was elected as the Leader of Opposition, replacing Frank Bainimarama.[8]
On April 28, 2020, Seruiratu delivered a speech celebrating the first arrival of Fiji's recently commissioned RFNS Savenaca to its homeport of Walu Bay.[9]
Following the collapse of FijiFirst, Seruiratu remained in parliament as an independent. As leader of the Group of 16 Bloc, the largest non-government grouping, he remained leader of the opposition.[10]
- ^ "Seruiratu is the new Opposition Leader".
- ^ "Ministers | Office of the Prime Minister Fiji". Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ a b Naveel Krishant (16 April 2020). "PM announces cabinet reshuffle, Faiyaz Koya sworn in as Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport". Fiji Village. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ "Fiji's New Cabinet Ministers Were Sworn In Today At Government House". Fiji Sun. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ "2018 General Elections Dashboard". Fiji Elections Office. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ Netani Rika (22 November 2018). "New faces in Fiji cabinet". Islands Business. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ "Inia Seruiratu Fiji's new foreign minister". RNZ. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ "Seruiratu elected Opposition Leader". Fijivillage. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
fbcnews2020-04-29was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Navitalai Naivalurua (5 August 2024). "Opposition splits in 2 - One led by Seruiratu, the other will be led by Naivalurua". Fiji Village. Retrieved 5 August 2024.